The Dragon's Boy: A Tale of Young King Arthur (Paperback)

~ Jane Yolen (Author) "It was on a day in early spring, with the clouds scudding across a gray sky, promising a rain that never quite fell, that Artos..." (more)
Key Phrases: Old Linn, Lady Marion, Sir Ector (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An entrancing addition to the Arthurian canon and bound to please its many fans." -- -- Ala Booklist

Product Description

Son of the Dragon

Thirteen-year-old Artos is not as good as swordsplay, romance, or any other knightly accomplishment as his foster brothers Cai, Bedvere, and Lancot. An orphan raised by the kindly Sir Ector, he doesn't even know the identity for his parents. But one day, Artos stumbles into the cave of an old and lonely dragon who offers to teach him the game of wisdom. Artos accepts, and becomes the Pendragon--the son of the dragon, the dragon's boy. And with the dragon's guidance, Artos sets out on a journey to a remarkable destiny--one that he never dreamed could be his own.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064437566
• ISBN-13: 978-0064437561
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #855,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique Arthurian story, May 28, 2001

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Everyone's read the oft-accepted story of King Arthur's boyhood, right? A seemingly orphaned fosterling is raised by kindly Sir Ector, doesn't really know who he is. This story gives a mild but enjoyable twist on the old tale.

Artos is a young orphan in Sir Ector's castle, whose only playmates are the sons of Sir Ector, who often look down on him. One day, as he chases the dog Boadie into the woods, he comes across a cave that appears to have a massive dragon inside it. Though Artos is initially afraid, he befriends the ancient dragon. The dragon, in exchange for foodstuffs from the kitchen, will teach Artos wisdom.

The teachings that the dragon give Artos unconsciously change his outlook and his treatment of other people - even those below him. But after a strange incident in which the dragon temporarily vanishes, Artos discovers the truth about his friend.

Aside from the works of Gerald Morris, I don't think I've found a more likeable version of King Arthur than Artos. The lessons that he is taught are mild but creep into the mind and take root, transforming him effectively from a "bulky, unruly, illiterate boy" to a thoughtful and compassionate soul (he isn't perfect, but who is?)

The supporting cast is sparkling, from "Garlic" Meg the kitchen maid, ancient Druid wiseman Linn, and the cheerful smith who provides Artos with his first sword. The writing style is admittedly a bit bare at times, but not so much that it is difficult to read. The dialogue and visualization of the final chapter are perhaps the best part, almost mystical.

A small note to those reading this book for the first time: Read carefully what the supporting characters say, and you might just guess ahead of time what is up with the dragon.

A magical tale without real magic, this is an enjoyable tale for lovers of a darn good story and a must-see for Arthuriana nuts!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Arthur, March 5, 2001

By	hs history teacher (New York) - See all my reviews

When I first read this book I had no clue it was about King Arthur, as a young boy or otherwise, because the copy at my library didn't proclaim in bold letters "A Tale of Young King Arthur." Not until the very end did it dawn on me that this wonderful book I was reading had anything at all to do with the legendary King Arthur I had already read so much about. But this book is not about King Arthur until the very end. For the most part it is about a boy named Artos and his trials and tribulations in growing up and meeting a dragon. This dragon teaches him things he would have no chance to learn anywhere else and balances out his life in a most peculiar way.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars THE PRICE OF WISOM, May 9, 2008

By	Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A master at creating fantasy and at recreating the mythos of the Arthurian legends (MERLIN'S BOOKE), Jane Yolen offers readers an original tale from King Arthur's youth--with hints of his legendary future. Thirteen-year-old Artos, orphaned fosterling of Sir Ector, finds himself the youngest of a band of unruly, illiterate, nobly-bred bullies, though barely accepted. In danger of becoming truly one of the wild bunch one day Artos stumbles upon a cave whose existence he did not suspect. Unwilling but curious he soon becomes drawn to the unseen occupant: a harsh-voiced old dragon. For reasons known best to himself this Master of Riddles has chosen Artos to receive his wisdom of more than a lifetime.

In this novella of 120 pages Artos gradually realizes that there are many kinds of wisdom, from diverse and even contradictory sources-- some of which he must puzzle out for himself: book learning, reading between the lines of life, court and courtyard smarts, plus navigating the intricacies of the human heart. Christened with a new and puzzling patronymic epithet, Artos must mature to don with pride and dignity the surname of Pendragon--son of the dragon. But surely he is not the son of This ancient dragon, whom he had finally grown to love! The literary pacing changes in the last two chapters, where there is plot and action are repalced by more serious dialogue. With oblique references to Arthur's future glory in Celtic legend, Yolen includes pages of deep introspection, which may strain the interest of very young readers. Yet
we can never get enough of Arthur, creator of Camelot--a shining place which has captured the imagination of Western civilizaion for centuries. The world will long remain the richer for his chivalric legacy.