Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Entertaining but violent series weaves fantasy with history.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In D.J. MacHale's 10-volume PENDRAGON series, middle-schooler Bobby Pendragon discovers he is a Traveler, meaning he has special powers that allow him to travel from one planet, or \"territory,\" to another within Halla (all the territories combined). Bobby's mentor, Uncle Press, is also a Traveler, and he guides Bobby in a mission to prevent the evil Saint Dane from destroying Halla. Bobby also time-travels to visit World War II-era America, where he witnesses the Hindenburg disaster and learns about tragic events in the war. Bobby is often assisted in his mission by his friends, Courtney and Mark. Along the way, Bobby learns survival skills, including the importance of respecting the traditions and values of each world he visits. Fourteen years old when the series begins, Bobby grows up over the course of the series, becoming more adept at using his learned and natural powers.
Is It Any Good?
The Pendragon fantasy-adventure series is very popular with middle-grade readers, particularly boys, with good reason. While these books don't have the same balanced level of humor, feeling and character development that the great Harry Potter series has, D.J. MacHale creates a fascinating, original world where the stakes are always high and readers are constantly in suspense.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether you think Bobby is lucky to be a Traveler. If you could travel back in time, what time and place would you visit?
Pendragon bears some similarity to other fantasy series like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. If you've read these, or others, what are the similarites and differences?
Learn more about World War II by reading great books like these: Bomb, Mare's War, War Horse.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publishers : Aladdin , Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : September 1, 2002
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 15
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle, App
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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