The Dragon Thief: Dragons in a Bag, Book 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Dragon Thief is the sequel to Zetta Elliott's Dragons in a Bag, continuing the adventures of 9-year-old Jaxon, his BFF Vikram, and Vik's younger sister, Kavita, who's caused a whole lot of trouble both in Brooklyn (where the kids live) and in the world of magic. Jaxon was supposed to deliver three baby dragons to the other world, but Kavita stole one because it was so cute. Now it's getting bigger and she knows stealing it was a really bad idea, and seeks help from her elderly auntie. As the kids and their friends struggle to put things right and get the dragon home, a creepy villain has plans of his own to get the dragon, and imprisons Kavita and her auntie. Along the way there are assorted magical beings and characters moving between the two worlds. Also lots of positive messages about kindness and inclusion (the much-feared big kid in the class turns out to be a valuable, kind-hearted ally), family and friendship. The story also includes detail about enslaved people in India and the role they played in that country's history. Hero Jaxon, who's Black, is still traumatized by his beloved father's death, which he recalls in one emotional scene. Their new friend Kenny is dealing with dyslexia and his parents' divorce. In one scene, an adult character asks a kid to get her a beer and jokes that he drank it himself.
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What's the Story?
At the end of Book 1, Dragons in a Bag, Kavita, younger sister of Jaxon's BFF Vik, couldn't bear to part with one of the baby dragons that Jaxon was supposed to return to the world of magic for their own safety. So she kept one, becoming THE DRAGON THIEF. Now things are messed up everywhere: Ma, Jaxon's magic mentor, has been in a deep sleep ever since their return to Brooklyn, while in the world of magic, the two baby dragons are pining for their lost sib. As the baby dragon keeps getting bigger, Kavita knows she's done wrong and wants to make things right, but it's not that easy, so she seeks help from her father's aged, feeble nanny, who delivers a few history lessons while revealing unsuspected powers. Meanwhile, Jaxon and Vik are also trying to get the dragon home. Our heroes soon find that a creepy villain has plans of his own for the baby dragon -- but they find allies of their own.
Is It Any Good?
Thrills, heart, and Indian sweets are plentiful in this magical tale, where kids try to restore the balance between Brooklyn and the world of magic. It's been severely disrupted since Kavita, Vik's little sister, aka The Dragon Thief, kept a baby dragon as a pet instead of letting Jaxon return it to the world of magic in Book 1. Jaxon and Kavita take turns narrating their efforts to put things to rights, and Geneva B's plentiful illustrations bring the characters and their surroundings to life. Many things go wrong, perils are plentiful, but friendship, family, kindness and empathy carry the day. As does the attitude of hero and magical apprentice Jaxon, whose own quest seems to keep taking him to some pretty strange situations, and who's decided to just roll with it.
"A week ago, a talking pigeon would have freaked me out. But over the past few days, I've encountered a very determined squirrel, actual dinosaurs, a talking rat, and three baby dragons. I'm learning to take it all in stride.
"'Sorry,' I say to the pigeon. 'I guess I wasn't looking where I was going.'"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the results of messing with the world of magic in The Dragon Thief. What stories do you know where it all turns out well? What about the ones where it doesn't? What makes things turn out the way they do?
Vik and Kavita's dad insists that Auntie is family even though they're not related. Are there people you think of as family even though technically they're not exactly kin? What makes you feel that way?
Have you ever been to Brooklyn, where the kids in this story live? Does it sound like a place you'd like to spend some time? What do you think you'd like about it?
Book Details
- Author: Zetta Elliott
- Illustrator: Geneva B.
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: October 22, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: August 15, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
-
Dragons in a Bag, Book 1
Exciting tale of New York kid's journey to magical world.
-
Fantasia
Breathtaking animation feat -- with some creepy visuals.
-
How to Train Your Dragon
Thrilling adventure sends brains-over-brawn message.
-
The Dragon Egg Princess
Exciting tale of dragons, friendship, and world-saving.
For kids who love fantasy and diversity
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