Slow start in a world kids will love

The opening chapter of How to Heal a Gryphon sets up a compelling conflict of a tween girl feeling in the shadow of her older brother in a magical school setting. I was also interested in the idea that Giada was questioning how magical healing was limited to people and how that also put her in conflict with her family’s tradition. For me, the opening chapter didn’t do quite enough world building perhaps because it told the reader facts rather than showing them in action. I imagine that middle grade readers that enjoy magical schools and animals will be drawn to this novel. The hints at greater themes suggest that this story may explore some common challenges of identity and family that middle grader readers may relate to. A more dynamic start would have helped grip this readers attention a bit more.