Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hopeful dragon apocalypse with admirable kid and dragon.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DAWN OF THE DRAGONS, 12-year-old Lucas isn't enjoying his summer. It's too hot and smoky out, camps are cancelled, and his old cat just died. And now his little 7-year-old buddy Noah is trying to tell him that all the smoke is coming from dragons, and the dragons are coming to destroy humans. Before Mr. Miller, Noah's dad, takes his family to an underground bunker to wait out what he expects to be a dragon apocalypse, he hands Lucas a key to his basement and implores him to look at the evidence on his computer. Lucas scoffs, but pockets the key, intending not to use it. But after he sees something odd flying in the air, the bad dreams start, and he seeks out proof, first from the Millers' house, and then on Mt. Baldy behind the town. That's where he sees a young, injured dragon who needs his help.
Is It Any Good?
No one expects a dragon apocalypse, and certainly not this unique one filled with compassion and great kid characters, human and dragon. This prequel ponders what life was like just before and after Noah—star of New Dragon City—and his parents head for their bunker. Yes, there's confusion and conspiracy theories, shady-seeming government agencies, and even crazy dragon fandom that takes over Lucas' small town. But, at the story's heart, is a dragon rescue and a special kid-dragon connection. The dangerous misunderstandings between humans and dragons play out as expected—that poor horse—and kid frustrations with non-believing adults is an all-to-common theme, but there are still plenty of surprises. Also, there's so much at stake that things stay tense and exciting. Is there any way for Lucas' town to survive? What about this dragon herd who seem to be the only dragons out there seeking peace? It's nice to read sections in both human and dragon perspectives. It brings the reader closer to understanding the dragons before the human characters do, helping us root for both sides at the same time. It makes an otherwise dystopian-leaning world a hopeful place to dwell.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about media literacy in Dawn of the Dragons. How do Lucas and his friends look for fake videos on YouTube? What impact does Jacinda's video have on Lucas' life and the whole town? Should she have posted it to YouTube?
How is the mania surrounding dragon sightings similar to celebrity-obsessed culture? How are these dragon superfans' actions dangerous for everyone?
What goes wrong when humans and dragons try to communicate? How do Lucas and Cinder show perseverance to get the species to understand each other?
What would you and your family do in a dragon apocalypse? Would you want to join Noah and the Miller family in their bomb shelter or stay aboveground with Lucas and family?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Animals , Dystopia , Family Stories , Fantasy ( Dragons ) , Friendship , Royalty ( Queens ) , STEM ( Nature )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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