Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher: A Magic Shop Book

This book is truly amazing. I read it as a 5th (10 yrs)or 6th grader (11 yrs) and continue to read it as a 12th grader (17 yrs). I wish more books were written as well as this one! I fell deeply in love with the dragon in this story and with the amazing connection it has with Jeremy. I fell in love with it so much that shortly after reading that book, I started a dragon figurine collection, which I still expand upon (it's grown to at least 30, maybe 40 dragons). The book got me interested in reading other fantasy books, but I haven't found any I like nearly as well as this (although Eragon by Christopher Paolini is definetely 2nd, it reminds me of a version of Jeremy Thatcher written for older audiences). I highly recommend Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher for people of all ages. Every child should definetely read this book! It's simply beautiful and also, subtly, teaches responsibility and the deepest connection anyone could have with another being - love.

"Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" was undoubtedly my favorite book as a child...and now, thirteen years after I first read it, it still occupies a special place in my heart. I honestly think that it is one of the best written children's books of the last fifty years; I still read it from time to time, and my old copy is so beat up (the cover fell off long ago) that I'm thinking of buying a new one--hardback this time. It's that good. I'm excited to think that one day I'll be able to read this to my own children. The characters are so well-drawn and believable, and the plot moves along so well, that I'm pretty sure even most adults (though they might not admit it) would be sucked in. This book is perfect for kids who have been introduced to fantasy through Harry Potter; it is, in fact, the book that first introduced me to fantasy all those years ago. I read "The Hobbit" in third grade because Bruce Coville makes a passing reference to it in "Jeremy Thatcher." This isn't just a story about a boy and his dragon--though, if it were, and told by Coville, it would still be appealing enough for children. It also deals, very effectively, with the issues that Jeremy faces as he enters adolescence--a girl with a crush on him, an inexplicably hostile teacher. Jeremy grows up quite a bit over the course of the story--and Coville is never preachy, as he sometimes (much as I love him) is in other books ("My Teacher Flunked the Planet," anyone?). This is a fantastic story told by a fantastic writer working at the top of his game. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Full moons light to wake the egg,Full moons light to hatch itMidsummer's Night will crack the world,But St John Day will patch it This is the incantation that Jeremy Thatcher has to recite in order to hatch a dragon egg!! One day whale fleeing from some bullies and Mary Lou Hutton (a girl who wants to kiss him!) Jeremy stumbles on to a magic shop and saw a sign that reads: ELIVES' MAGIC SUPPLESS.H. ELIVES PROP. He buys a colorful orb, like a "kaleidoscope" which turns out to be a dragon egg!!! Soon the dragon named Tiamat starts to cause an abundance of trouble. No one else can see her besides Jeremy and Mary Lou. What will happen when Tiamat gets too big? Read the book, find out. You won't be sorry. I would recommend this book for 4-6 graders. I loved this book. I read it again and again. Colville is a genus!

I initially read this book as a 4th-grader (ahem, that would be ten years ago) and -- embarrassingly -- I still go back to it. This book is gorgeous. Well-drawn characters fuel a truly inspired plot. Even the illustrations are exceptional, and not intrusive, as many children's books illustrations are. And a word to parents: the fantasy is certainly "light" enough that it isn't at all destructive to young minds. Tiamat the dragon really takes the spotlight here -- kids will fall in love.

I read this book aloud with my 9 year old daughter, and she gave it the ultimate compliment: 'I wished it would never end'. I must admit, I did too. A very heartfelt and magical book about friendship. I would recommend it to any parent who likes to read with their kids.