The Land Of Dragons

When my husband and I left India in 1991, we boarded the flight to Singapore with two suitcases and a bag. We planned to be back in two years. The two years have stretched to over twenty years and, now, even when I travel for two weeks with my family which has doubled its numbers, I need four suitcases, four bag packs and a cabin luggage. I do not know when we will return but I do know that I am richer for all the experiences I have had over the years. My children are fortunate to have friends from all over the world and a wide variety of experiences. Everyday I thank God for the blessings he has showered on us and for the fantastic future which is sure to unfurl before us.

In 36 BC, Li Bi was the Prefect of Zhangye province in Han Dynasty China. He was called out of a comfortable retirement to join a military expedition against his old enemies the Xiongnu as cavalry commander. He would rather stay home in his new villa and enjoy the carnal pleasures with youngest wife Qingling. His past however beckons him and leaves him no choice. There are Romans in the Xiongnu army and perhaps, old comrades. Meanwhile as he prepares his men he writes a book about another war fought right around the world in Belgica. He traces the adventures of a young Centurion named Livy as he fights for Julius Caesar against the Belgae in 57BC. Livy leads Caesars band of mounted scouts armed with composite bows. The war is brutal but Livys life is complicated by the many exotic and seductive women he meets on the campaign trail. Caesar sends him on ever more dangerous missions but Livys understanding of the art of war sees him trough each encounter with the brave and determined enemy. The campaign climaxes at the River Sabis where Bodougnatus, King of the Nervii and 100,000 blood thirsty barbarians set up an elaborate ambush for the unwary Roman Army. Can Caesars vaunted tactical skills save the Roman Army from annihilation? Will Livys vaunted good luck finally run out? Meanwhile Li Bi rides west to face Chanyu Zhizhi, King of the Western Xiongnu with his newly raised cavalry armed with repeating crossbows. How will his Chinese troops fare against crack Roman infantry?

Essays on religion, ethics, children, and the three perfections accompany an overview of Chinese history from the collapse of the Tang Dynasty through the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

Drake travels to a secret fairy world to save the Kingdom of Bracken! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Drake's kingdom is in trouble -- a terrible earthquake has destroyed Bracken's crops! A magical Spring Dragon has the power to save the kingdom and regrow the crops, but he lives deep inside a secret fairy world. To find the Spring Dragon, Drake must pass a series of tests given by a Dragon Master named Breen. But the fairy world is full of confusing tricks and mysterious riddles! Can Drake save his kingdom?

"The Dragon Masters have defeated the evil wizard Maldred, but not before the Kingdom of Bracken was devastated by Naga, the earthquake dragon; now Drake and his dragon, Worm, must appeal to the spring dragon, Fallyn, who is their only hope of restoring Bracken before its people starve--but Fallyn lives deep inside a secret fairy world, and Drake must pass a series of tricky tests before he can even make his appeal."--Publisher's description.

"The book considers the influence of a Chinese ethnic background or lack thereof in the writing of several twentieth and twenty-first century Sino-Peruvian authors"--

The second two volumes of Patricia C. Wrede's beloved, bestselling Enchanted Forest Chronicles!