The Dragon's Child

My 2nd grade son was very excited to buy this book, but once reading it, he stopped because it was so sad. He asked me to read it first and let him know if it gets better. It does, but it takes awhile to get there! Just when you think things are pretty bad for the poor little dragon... they get worse. Things don't get better until the very end, and even then, the plot could have continued on a bit more. Good book, but beware for sensitive readers!

While I haven't read this book, I did observe my son reading this book, and with the exception of breaking to eat, he didn't stop reading once he started it. For a second grader to read 107 pages in one evening I know it has to be a great book. My son is very much into children's fantasy stories right now, such as the Secrets of Droon series (he's on book 21) so I had a hunch he would like this fantasy dragon story and it looks like I was right.

The Dragon's Child is paperback fantasy story (with a cover cut in the shape of a dragon) for young readers about a flightless dragon child, separated from his mother, and the human children he befriends. Little Dando was hatched late in the season, and his wings haven't formed well enough to fly. His dragon clan is leaving the area forever to find their homeland, and when he falls off his mother's back, he's stranded, all alone except for a friendly bird. When a strange tribe of people comes to colonize the island, Dando befriends a young slave girl among their number - but the irascible son of the chieftain spots Dando and decides to capture him! The terrible humans aren't the only threat though - a pack of vicious animals called Doggins roam the woods, posing a deadly threat to bird, dragon, and humans alike! Little Dando must find the strength within himself to be worthy of his noble dragon name, and save his friends as well as himself - fortunately, he just might get some help from a former enemy's unexpected change of heart! A handful of simple black-and-white illustrations enhance this wonderful storybook for young dragon lovers who are ready to move on from picture books to more involved fare.