Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    A Heart-To-Heart with Aissa from Wendy Orr’s Dragonfly Song

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Author Interviews Best Kids Stories Teens: Young Adults
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

     The Children’s Book Review | October 25, 2017

    Get to know Aissa from Wendy Orr’s Dragonfly Song, an intriguing mythological portrayal of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization.

    The Children’s Book Review: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

    Aissa: Milli-Cat rubbing her head under my chin.

    I see you have a bag with you. Will you tell us what you keep inside of it?

    Aissa Flint Knife
    A flint knife like Aissa would have

    My flint knife, the rope for my sling shot, and a little piece of honeycomb.

    Are you hungry right now? Can we fix you anything to eat? Maybe we could make you your favorite dish?

    I’m always hungry! Could I please have a honeycake, some goat cheese and grapes – oh, and some fried crickets? And a drink of goatmilk mixed with a little wine?

    I’ve always wanted to try crickets, I heard they are a great source of protein. We don’t have any on hand, but we can definitely serve some goat cheese and grapes.

    Do you like to read?

    I have never seen a book, but I love listening to stories.

    Do you have a favorite song?

    I love the Lady’s snake song that has no words, but my other favorite is a game song Mama sang when I was little:

    Here comes rabbit, hippity hop
    See his ears flap and flop;

    Here comes hedgehog, curled up small
    Roll him over like a ball;
    Here comes deer, fast and fleet,
    Give a shout and make him leap.

    Here comes wolf, with her pup,
    If you don’t run she’ll eat you up!

    Are you a rule follower or rule breaker?

    I try to obey the rules, but I seem to keep on breaking them!

    When was the last time you felt embarrassed?

    When everyone stared at me and knew I was nothing.

    If you weren’t answering the questions in this interview right now, what would you be doing?

    Looking for food in the hills.

    Do you have any secrets you would like to share with us before you go?

    When it seems that everyone hates you and the world is a terrible place, be strong in yourself and remember that there are still good people around. Trust the true friends you find, and trust that life will get better.

    Dragonfly Song Book CoverDragonfly Song

    Written by Wendy Orr

    Publisher’s Synopsis: The whispers say it’s not true that the Lady’s firstborn died at birth. They say it’s worse—the baby was born with an extra thumb dangling from each wrist. If she’s not perfect, she can never follow in her mother’s footsteps.

    Nobody but the old wise-woman knows what truly happened to Aissa, the firstborn daughter of the priestess. If they saw the half-moon scars on the servant girl’s wrists they would find it out, but who would look twice at lowly, mute No-Name? Then the soldiers of Crete come to the island, demanding children as tribute for their god-king’s bull dances as they do every year. Aissa is determined to seize this chance to fight for her own worth and change her destiny once and for all.

    Lyrically written and refreshingly unpredictable, Dragonfly Song is a compelling Bronze Age fantasy that suggests a fascinating origin for the legend of the Minotaur and his dark tribute.

    Ages 10-14 | Publisher: Pajama Press | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1772780376

    Available Here: 

    Text, logo
    Buy on Amazon
    Logo

    About the Author

    Wendy Orr
    Wendy Orr

    Wendy Orr was born in Edmonton, Canada, but grew up in various places across Canada, France, and the USA. She studied occupational therapy in the UK, married an Australian farmer, and moved to Australia. She’s the author of many award-winning books, including Nim’s Island, Nim at Sea, Rescue on Nim’s Island, Raven’s Mountain, and Peeling the Onion.

    More information about Dragonfly Song: http://pajamapress.ca/book/dragonfly_song/

    More information about Wendy Orr: http://www.wendyorr.com/

    What to Read Next:

    1. Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester’s The Fang of Bonfire Crossing | Meet The Characters
    2. The Astonishing Maybe, by Shaunta Grimes | Meet the Characters
    3. Kristin Levine’s The Jigsaw Jungle | Meet the Characters
    4. M. T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin Discuss The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Bronze Age Minoan Civilization Character Interviews Middle Grade Books Mythology Myths & Legends Pajama Press Wendy Orr
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article2 Picture Book Creators Discuss Earth (A.K.A. Planet Awesome!)
    Next Article 10 Audiobooks that Educate and Entertain
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    2 Comments

    1. Pingback: Sweepstakes & Giveaways October 2017 – Ms. Cat's Honest World

    2. Bianca Schulze on November 27, 2017 12:14 pm

      Congratulations to lucky winner Steph E. (MN)! Your prize pack will be on the way soon. Enjoy!

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Me So Akonnwa A Me So Dua | Dedicated Review
    • ABC Diario: Cada día te quiero de la A a la Z | Book Review
    • Sincerely, Antonia: A Big Note from a Tiny Guest | Book Review
    • Sunny and the Border Patrol | Book Review
    • Princess Fusspot, by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.