The Dragon in the Sock Drawer

July 14, 2008
At the start of this workmanlike series opener, fantasy-loving 10-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy are convinced that “sooner or later they have a magical adventure of their own.” When Jesse finds a geode, aka a “thunder egg,” both can hear it talking; in short enough order, it hatches into a dragon. As its chosen Dragon Keepers, the cousins must protect little “Emmy” (for Emerald) from an evil Dragon Slayer, who, by day, is a herpetologist at the local college. Klimo, v-p and publisher of Random House/ Golden Books Young Readers Group, leaves a lot unexplained, including why the Dragon Slayer wants to drink Emmy's blood and why doing so “could spell doom, not only for Emerald, but for the world,” as a 19th-century dragonologist tells them via a Harry Potter–esque use of the Internet. And while Jesse and Daisy are likable enough, their quest is not as noble nor as exciting as readers of this genre can reasonably expect; the ending—the dragon disguises herself as a sheepdog which the cousins keep as a pet—falls flat. Ages 8–12.

July 1, 2008
Gr 3-6-While looking for rocks with his cousin Daisy, Jesse finds a "thunder egg" that talks to him. Like the genie in the bottle, something says, "Let me out!" Thus begins the children's adventure. Jesse's parents are away on a mission trip, setting up a clinic in Tanzania. His aunt is off to Paris for an ad shoot, so Uncle Joe, Daisy, and Jesse have to deal with the rock/egg. After a dragon hatches, it needs to be fed-and finding out what to feed a dragon can be tough. What else? Google. Unfortunately, googling dragons, and even dragon food, results in millions of hits, so the cousins head to the library and find a listing for "The Dragon Keeper's Guide". It's long out of print, but when they google the author's name, they are able to make contact with www.foundadragon.org and learn that dragons need calcium. The computer becomes interactive, and the cousins find the author talking to them, advising them of their new responsibilities and warning them to look out for Saint George. Illustrated with small black-and-white drawings to introduce each of the 11 chapters, this novel, with its unique and modern twists, is a great addition to the dragon genre for younger readers."Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI"

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