Igraine the Brave — Cornelia Funke

Do you have to be BIG to be BRAVE?

IGRAINE, who turns twelve tomorrow, dreams of becoming a famous knight. But today, like most days, life at the family castle remains ... rather boring.

Until the nefarious nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up.

Greedy Osmund's got a dastardly plan to capture Pimpernel Castle and steal the singing magic books that belong to Igraine's mom and dad. Complicating matters, on the eve of the siege her parents misspeak a spell and turn themselves into pigs! (How inconvenient.)

Igraine's birthday wish has come true, and the challenge is bigger than she ever bargained for: Will she face her fears and find the courage to save the day -- and the books?