constant2m's review
5.0
This was a really cute story about a boy, a baby dragon, and the willingness to do things differently. Dragons were always hunted in the past, but perhaps that is no longer necessary. Is it possible for humans and dragons to be friends? And what is the cost for remaining enemies versus the cost for becoming friends?
staceym's review
4.0
This early chapter book reminded me of the old folk song "One Tin Soldier". Derek's village fight dragons because that is what they have always done. Derek learns how to become a hero in a different way.
I liked that the author was local, Groton.
Lyrics to song:
Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.
On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own.
(Chorus) Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.
So the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill,
Asking for the buried treasure,
Tons of gold for which they'd kill.
Came an answer from the kingdom,
"With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain,
All the riches buried there."
Chorus
Now the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain-people,
So they won their just reward.
Now they stood beside the treasure,
On the mountain, dark and red.
Turned the stone and looked beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said.
Chorus
I liked that the author was local, Groton.
Lyrics to song:
Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.
On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own.
(Chorus) Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.
So the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill,
Asking for the buried treasure,
Tons of gold for which they'd kill.
Came an answer from the kingdom,
"With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain,
All the riches buried there."
Chorus
Now the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain-people,
So they won their just reward.
Now they stood beside the treasure,
On the mountain, dark and red.
Turned the stone and looked beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said.
Chorus
mnmama3's review
2.0
It was okay. I had to read it to help with a book club at my daughter's school. Not something that I would have picked.
amber_leopold's review
4.0
Owen read this in school, and likes it so much he wanted me to read it aloud to him and Abby. There was a fun surprise in the middle. What do dragons eat??
More...