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Review: The Dragon in the Library

With a thoroughly engaging plot and a likeable and diverse set of characters, this book would sit perfectly in a lower KS2 classroom. The story is pacey enough to keep any reader interested and avoids lulling over details in the way that some books can, something that I think would really appeal to less experienced readers. The book contains a broad range of characters from a mix of ethnic backgrounds, breaking away from the stereotypical character building seen across plenty of children’s literature traditionally. With a short haired female protagonist who loves getting muddy, Stowell has shown readers that they can be whatever and whoever they want to be and provided a wonderful role model in Kit to highlight just this…

BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations

 

Today we feature a preview of The Dragon in the Library, publishing in June. Review Panel member David tells us what we can expect from this middle-grade fantasy adventure…

Book Title: The Dragon In The Library (available to pre-order here)

Author: Louie Stowell

Illustrator: Davide Ortu

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Publication Date: June 2019

Most Suitable For: KS2 (7-11)

Reviewed By: David Keyte, Teacher & Reading Lead

The Dragon In The Library is a thoroughly enjoyable story which combines libraries, dragons, wizards and aliens with some very pertinent messages of friendship, inclusion and diversity. The story focuses on three friends (Kit, Josh & Alita) and their quest to stop evil businessman Mr Salt from expanding his property empire.

With a thoroughly engaging plot and a likeable and diverse set of characters, this book would sit perfectly in a lower KS2 classroom. The story is pacey enough to keep any reader interested and avoids lulling over details in the way that some books can, something that I think would really appeal to less experienced readers. The book contains a broad range of characters from a mix of ethnic backgrounds, breaking away from the stereotypical character building seen across plenty of children’s literature traditionally. With a short haired female protagonist who loves getting muddy, Stowell has shown readers that they can be whatever and whoever they want to be and provided a wonderful role model in Kit to highlight just this.

There is a heavy emphasis on the magic of books and the wonderful (and often crazy) places they can take you, an important message to portray to readers. With library closures aplenty across the UK, this book serves to highlight just what wonderful places they can be and adds a little intrigue into just what might be found if you pay them a visit!

A strong mention must go to Davide Ortu, illustrator of The Dragon In The Library. His wonderful illustrations are showered throughout the book and really bring the characters and settings to life.

I am confident that this book will be a real hit when it comes out later this year.

 

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You can pre-order The Dragon In The Library online or from your local bookshop or library.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to David for reviewing it.

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