The Dragon Box [Kindle Edition]

Katie W Stewart (Author)

Book Description

When eleven-year-old James is given an electronic game by his old, inventor neighbour, he is intrigued by the lack of screen on the console. He soon finds that with 'The Dragon Box' there is no need for a screen. At the flick of the switch, he's in a game like no other he has ever played before. Somehow he must win the crystal of Mommek and save the Kingdom of Grobnog from Khalana the witch. If he fails, there is far more at stake than his pride.

Fantasy with a touch of SciFi for children, 8-12 years.

Product Details

• File Size: 281 KB
• Print Length: 123 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005FWQ296
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,569 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dragon Box August 26, 2011

By Guy W. Salvidge

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Dragon Box is a contemporary fantasy story for children by Western Australian author Katie Stewart. I have also read her adult fantasy novel Treespeaker, and both are equally good. In The Dragon Box, our young hero James receives a special gift from the eccentric Mack, a gift that propels him into a fantasy world where his companions bear striking resemblance to people in James' own life. The world inside the dragon box is a game featuring a routine fantasy landscape, which is being threatened by the evil Khalanna. Inside the game, the elderly Mack has been transformed into the wizard Mackenzor, who advises James on his quest for the Crystal of Monmekk. The crystal is needed to help restore flight to Draknor the dragon, who has lost his wings to the evil Khalanna in a previous battle. As I mentioned before, each character represents a friend or family member in James' own life (some goblins stand for the real-world neighbourhood bullies), and in some sense the situation in the game mirrors that in the outside world. This becomes clearer the further we read.

The Dragon Box is subtly educational in a number of ways. Firstly, Mack(enzor) encourages James to think and act for himself, something he is not keen on doing initially. James' sidekicks are barely animate computerised routines, and as such offer him little direct support in his quest. The novel also teaches children that violence is never the answer to problems, and that quick thinking and puzzle solving are far more valuable life-skills. And while there is some use of magic (such as a water spell called fal-ush-da-dunnee - you'd have to be Australian to get that joke), magic never entirely solves life's problems. In short, The Dragon Box manages to avoid becoming a wish-fulfillment or power fantasy, something for which the author should be credited. I look forward to this author's subsequent work with keen interest.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A trip through a mind portal January 21, 2013

By Paul from LA

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Katie W. Stewart has written an excellent fantasy novel for the young at heart. James, a boy with a disabled father, a scary old neighbor, who seems to know everythiing about everybody, some neighborhood bullys and two other friends become embroiled in a game called The Dragon Box. The game was created by Mack, James' old neighbor who is an inventor. James embarks on an adventure with Mack and along the way befriends people who remind him of real people in his world. He is on a quest to defeat a witch and garner her magic crystal to save his friends and more. There is magic galore, many quests that must be solved through thought, fears to be overcome and sound decisions to be made by the youngster, James. This is not a violent book, it is an easy read, and it will grab you from the start, and hold on to you all the way to the finish. This is a wholesome book that shows there are games outside of electronics and encourages the use of brain power and good judgment to accomplish the tasks necessary to complete the game. Even though I am no young child, by any means, I enjoyed the read and look forward to more books from Katie W. Stewart.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Antidote to X-Box... February 28, 2012

By Sharon Tillotson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Katie Stewart has crafted a wonderful tale of a sensitive young boy who is new to town.

James has joined a footy team and is being picked on by some of the other bigger and more aggressive players. He feigns illness one Saturday morning to get out of a game. His mom is not fooled and sends him next door to deliver a book to Mack, a grandfatherly nutty professor type who invents games. Mack has recently begun to use modern technology and invents a game just for James. But this is no video game. In this game James is transported to another place and time and becomes a real-life hero who must use his wits and overcome his insecurities and fears to save the day.

The Dragon Box is a modern fable, delightfully imagined and well written, with subtle meaning incorporated into the story. Exactly the type of book one would encourage their young children to read.

It seemed just right for the age group to which it was targeted, but a good read for any age. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is worth noting here that the exquisite cover was illustrated and designed by the author.

More About the Author

Katie W. Stewart's first major piece of writing was at the age of seven, when she wrote a ten-page recall of what she did the day she didn't go on the whole-school excursion. Fortunately, she has learned to write about more interesting things since then. Katie is an Australian author of fantasy fiction for all ages. She was born in Lancashire, England and emigrated with her family when she was nine years old. In her non-writing life she works as a library assistant and relief teacher at a small school in country Western Australia. She is also a farmer's wife, mother of three children and carer for a menagerie of pets. In her spare time, she illustrates books, designs book covers, paints pet portraits and plays celtic harp and guitar.