Rowan of Rin (novel)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Rowan of Rin is a children's fantasy novel by Australian author Emily Rodda, with illustrations by Matt Wilson. It is the first book in the Rowan of Rin series, first published in 1993 in Australia. The story takes place in the same world as Rodda’s Deltora Quest books.

Plot summary:
The village of Rin wakes to find its stream, which waters the bukshah herd that helps the people survive, has dried up. Six villagers bravely climb the forbidden mountain to find the source of the problem: Strong Jonn, Bronden, Marlie, Allun, and the twin millers Val and Ellis. Rowan, seen as the weakest, has a map that only reveals its path when he holds it, so he is asked to join. On the journey the group faces many fears and challenges, and one by one the others turn back. Rowan keeps going, learning to overcome his own fears and proving to be the bravest of them all. At the dragon’s lair at the mountain’s peak, Rowan helps by removing a bone stuck in the dragon’s throat, letting it breathe fire again. The melted ice from the dragon’s lair creates a channel that carries water back down to Rin, restoring the stream and saving the village.

Awards and series notes:
Rowan of Rin won the Children's Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers in 1994. The book was re-released in 2003 to coincide with the fifth and final book in the series, Rowan of the Bukshah. The next book in the series is Rowan and the Travellers.