Amazon blurb: “The Dragon Dreamer is a fast-paced adventure with flying dragons, an undersea world, and an unlikely friendship. It’s a science fantasy layered for readers age 9 to 99.
Arak is a misfit dragon called “Dreamer”. Determined to prove himself he leaves on a dangerous quest, is caught in a fierce sea-storm, and crashes on ice. Wounded and alone he faces death. Then a fearless undersea shape-shifter named Scree heals him and an unlikely friendship begins. When an undersea volcano erupts it triggers a towering tsunami and a deadly chain of events. Can Arak use his unique talents to save the dragons?”
My Review:
I read this delightful fantasy for middle school age children and enjoyed it. The author incorporated life lessons on relationships, social responsibility, diplomacy, and learning to accept those who are different both physically and culturally. There were the effects of certain geological events on the environment and subsequent ramifications beyond the initial impact. All these woven into a delightful story without being a dry educational text.
The story is wonderful and aimed at youth who are just beginning to develop abstract thought. This book should be in school and public libraries. It would make an excellent supplemental reading for social studies or English with class discussions on trade, diplomacy, and social issues we deal with in our daily lives. The Dragon Dreamer would make an excellent book to help teach children how to think for themselves through these class discussions.
The two main protagonists, one is a dragon who is different from most and is the basis for the title, he’s a dreamer and is often teased because of it. The other is an octopus who is the healer in her pod. These two become friends after an unfortunate event that requires the octopus’ skills as a healer.
Antagonists are predators and beings who have to search for other sources of prey after a major geological event destroys their natural source of food.
The author was accurate in her descriptions of earth sciences. For example in the search for copper the dragons look for areas where turquoise is found, knowing that where there is turquoise there will be copper.
I highly recommend this book for sixth through eighth graders. A precocious fourth or fifth grader would enjoy it too. Older teens and adults who enjoy fantasy would also like this book. Even as a grandma I really enjoyed the book.
Dragon Dreamer is well written, the characters are well developed and it was easy to become emotionally involved with them. Great read even for an adult that enjoys children’s books.
Enjoy!
Grandma Peachy
To find out more about this author visit J.S. Burkes’ Links:
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheDragonDreamr
AMAZON Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/J.-S.-Burke/e/B00NVRVHWE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
WEBSITE: http://www.jennysburke.com
BLOG: http://www.jennysburke.com/blog
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8283255.J_S_Burke
AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Dreamer-J-S-Burke-ebook/dp/B00K9DHTU2/
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