The Dragonling Collector's Edition Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Jackie French Koller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragonling: Collector's Edition

Too young to prove his manhood on a dragonquest, Darek discovers a live baby dragon inside its dead mother's pouch and decides to sneak it back to his home. Along the way, he makes a lifelong friend and proves to himself and to his people that there are other, more peaceful ways to become a man.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- Darek, nine, is envious of his older brother Clep's first dragonquest in spite of its inherent danger. When the hunters return to the village with their prize, the body of a Great Blue (one of the largest and fiercest of dragons), they also bring the body of Clep's best friend. Later that night, Darek discovers a whimpering young dragonling emerging from the dead beast's pouch. In spite of his lifelong conditioning to hate dragons, he finds himself befriending the orphan; in helping him find the Valley of the Dragons, he learns that the few dragons left in the valley have no natural enmity toward humans and need not be feared or hunted. In a final confrontation between creatures and villagers, Darek speaks up for harmony, and changes the future for them all. Simple and predictable stuff, indeed, but while this book lacks the depth or subtlety of Jane Yolen's or Anne McCaffrey's dragon books, it is entirely suitable for the intended beginning chapter-book audience. Full-page black-and-white drawings are scattered among the brief chapters, depicting villagers in vaguely medieval dress and a thoroughly adorable dragonling. Darek and his new friend are sympathetic characters, at once brave and timid, charging forward while hanging back, like children everywhere. Young readers will identify with Darek, share his fondness for the dragon, and applaud their final success. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Dragonquest!

Darek can't wait for his first Dragonquest. Then he can be just like his older brother, Clep, the hero who brought down a Great Blue, the largest and fiercest dragon of all. Darek goes to admire the kill -- and finds a dragonling peeking out of the giant dragon's pouch. Scared but curious, he feeds the hungry baby and makes an unlikely friend. But to save the helpless dragonling he must now venture into the fearsome Valley of the Dragons, risking his life to return his friend to his own fire-breathing kind! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Collectors edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074341019X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743410199
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dragonling Series is Excellent, February 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragonling (Paperback)

The Dragonlings series is excellent. We first learned of the series through an Accelerated Reader list. My seven year old son was so excited about the book that we quickly located the rest of the books in the series. The characters are very appealing. The themes in the book are important for children (i.e. dealing with conflict, dealing with differences in people, questioning why things are always done a certain way), and they are conveyed through humor, questioning characters, and interesting action. We are hoping that the author and publisher will agree to do more. My son was very sad when we got to the end of the final book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprisingly effective fantasy for beginning readers, December 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragonling (Paperback)

If you want to introduce the fantasy genre to a younger reader, I can't imagine a better starting place than this book. A lot of story is packed into this beginning chapter book. Although some profound issues are raised, I think what will appeal to most young readers is the adventure and the relationship between the boy and the new pet he brings home - which, in this case, happens to be a dragon! Readers will no doubt want to read the rest of the books in this series which, though not as good, are certainly entertaining.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dragonling & a Dragon in the Family, September 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragonling Collector's Edition Vol. 1 (Paperback)

My 8yr old daughter had to read Dragonling for school, we both enjoyed the connection the Dragon and Darek had made and the adventure they went on together. This summer I purchased Dragon in the Family but, did not realize it was the second in the series. We are enjoying this book as much as the first and now seeking the Dragon Quest. The stories are told in a way early readers can understand what they've read and an excellent story line to keep you reading to the end.