Author Description

The Deltora series is an exciting, well-written, carefully planned series of fantasy novels. As well as being an adventure quest, the tales have incorporated into their storyline a number of puzzles, both verbal and mathematical. Once introduced to the series, a reader is sure to want to continue through to the end. Emily Rodda, the author, deliberately set out to create books that would entice the more reluctant reader in order to both develop their interest in reading and to extend their reading stamina. These notes apply to the second series, which tells of the efforts of the king of Deltora, Lief, to free the Deltorans who have been kept captive by the Shadow Lord in the Shadowlands. The Belt of Deltora has no power outside of Deltora, so Lief will have to depend upon his own abilities when in the Shadowlands. The teacher's notes can be used in several ways. The series could be taken teacher-directed as a whole class activity with teacher read/teacher directed sets of activities. They could also be used by students individually, in pairs, or in groups. Note that throughout each series the books form a continuous story and it is better to read them in order.