• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 June #1
  Thirteen-year-old Silver Batal dreams of being a water dragon racer, an unlikely ambition for a girl from a small village deep in the desert. When she gets word that a legendary water dragon racer—and her idol—is coming to town, Silver seizes the chance to pursue her dream, despite her parents' insistence that she follow the family tradition of becoming a jeweler. But the meeting with her idol doesn't go as planned, and one desert storm later, Silver finds herself on a journey to the royal city to rescue a stolen baby water dragon, previously believed to be mythical, that can both swim and fly. Along with her cousin, who brings a water dragon of her own, Silver embarks on a high-stakes mission into an Arab-inspired setting filled with dragons. Although it's a world that could have benefited from deeper development, Halbrook's latest is a fun, fast-paced adventure with an engaging supporting cast in which young fantasy lovers will delight. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

K. D. Halbrook grew up in California, surrounded by the gorgeous food, family bonds, and Arab-family quirks that inspired the world of Silver Batal. She’s also the author of the middle-grade novel Smoke and Mirrors, as well as several young adult titles under the name Kristin Halbrook. She currently resides in Seattle with her family.