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The Secret of the Dragon Gems
Co-written by Newbery-honor winning author Rajani LaRocca and Chris Baron, this novel is told through letters, e-mails, instant messages, and video chats between camp friends Tripti and Sam over their shared love of a book series and some mysterious rocks they brought home from summer camp.
Eleven-year-olds Tripti Kapoor, a feisty "word nerd" from Massachusetts, and Sam Cohen, a shy, imaginative, budding geologist from California, are both miserable at Camp Dilloway, a summer camp in upstate New York. On the last night of camp, they follow a shooting star to a quiet creek. There they find two silvery rocks glowing in the night. They each take one home, and their long-distance friendship begins.
It's soon clear that these are no ordinary rocks. They seem to move on their own, get strangely hot, and even take over Tripti and Sam's thoughts! Inspired by their mutual love of their favorite book series, The Dragon Gems, they dub the rocks Opal and Jasper, after the Dragon Gems in the books.
But others are interested in the stones too--including the owner of Camp Dilloway, who hides a secret of his own. Tripti and Sam must crack the Dragon Gems' code and keep them out of Dilloway's clutches, all while navigating the rocky road of middle school friendships and learning to stand up for what is right.
Eleven-year-olds Tripti Kapoor, a feisty "word nerd" from Massachusetts, and Sam Cohen, a shy, imaginative, budding geologist from California, are both miserable at Camp Dilloway, a summer camp in upstate New York. On the last night of camp, they follow a shooting star to a quiet creek. There they find two silvery rocks glowing in the night. They each take one home, and their long-distance friendship begins.
It's soon clear that these are no ordinary rocks. They seem to move on their own, get strangely hot, and even take over Tripti and Sam's thoughts! Inspired by their mutual love of their favorite book series, The Dragon Gems, they dub the rocks Opal and Jasper, after the Dragon Gems in the books.
But others are interested in the stones too--including the owner of Camp Dilloway, who hides a secret of his own. Tripti and Sam must crack the Dragon Gems' code and keep them out of Dilloway's clutches, all while navigating the rocky road of middle school friendships and learning to stand up for what is right.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2023
6 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Rajani LaRocca
34 books560 followersRajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young people, including Red, White, and Whole, which won a 2022 Newbery Honor, the Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, and New England Book Award. Her other books include: Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), Where Three Oceans Meet (2021), My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris (2021), The Secret Code Inside You (2021), I'll Go and Come Back (2022), and more. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Want to read
August 10, 2023Learned about this book back when I was on a book club Zoom meeting with Chris Baron and was excited about its format.
June 26, 2023
Having loved both authors’ realistic NIV books so very much (Red, White and Whole/The Magical Imperfect), I was quite nervous about reading a mixed format, more standard text fantasy book by the two of them. But by the end of the book, it was clear that both the partnership and the format change was very successful. Tripti, 11 year old from an Indian heritage, and Sam, a Jewish, geologist in the making, both attend a summer camp and come home with mysterious rocks that change temperature, color, and give every evidence that they move and have sentience. The two begin to correspondence by email, snail mail, “Miscord” and video chat an attempt to solve a mystery that seems to have ties to their favorite dragon fantasy series called Dragon Gems. Along the way,Sam and Tripti become friends, share friendship and school woes, describe family events that include much from their family’s cultural traditions and unravel the unbelievable truth—that their so-called rocks are really aliens who just want to go home. Older elementary readers will get drawn into the mystery and wonder and solve aspects as the story continues. Extra morsels included in this fantasy book are recipes from Jewish and Indian cuisine and a code that really astute students may understand before the solution is given. Additionally, many may begin to note similarities between the celebrations held by Sam’s Jewish family and Tripti’s Indian one and if they don’t, Sam does come right out and say as much leading me to wonder why it is that most of us look for the differences between people instead of searching for those things we hold in common?
No profanity, violence or sexual content.
My fear for this entertaining read is that the plot and the cover seem designed for the grades 3-5 crowd, but the 300+ length will be too much for the lower end of that range. The publisher gives the target age group to be grades 3-7 but there are few books that successfully appeal to 3-4-5 as well as those middle school 6th and 7th graders.
Thanks for the print arc, Yellowjacket/Little Bee Books.
No profanity, violence or sexual content.
My fear for this entertaining read is that the plot and the cover seem designed for the grades 3-5 crowd, but the 300+ length will be too much for the lower end of that range. The publisher gives the target age group to be grades 3-7 but there are few books that successfully appeal to 3-4-5 as well as those middle school 6th and 7th graders.
Thanks for the print arc, Yellowjacket/Little Bee Books.
Read
September 4, 2023This collaboration by two talented authors is a unique blend of perspectives as two kids strike up a friendship by correspondence after a strange encounter on their last night of summer camp. Tripti and Sam both take home a rock unlike any they have seen before, which they soon discover are of keen interest to the camp owner. As unusual things start to happen, the pair are reminded of their shared passion for the book series The Dragon Gems, and some remarkable coincidences force Tripti and Sam to solve clues and uncover the mystery behind these remarkable rocks before the persistent camp owner forcefully reclaims them. There are some fantasy elements to this story, but the growing friendship between Tripti (who has Indian heritage) and Sam (with a Jewish background) and how they share their experiences and traditions was my favourite aspect of the story. I also made Tripti’s Special Snickerdoodles, the recipe included in the back of the book, so in addition to reading this entertaining story, I suggest young readers make the cookies, too!
October 17, 2023
Nominated for 2023 Cybils Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction
This is a take on a letter novel, with two kids writing each other (by letter, email, transcription of video chat, anddiscord miscord messaging. It was kinda funny how the authors twisted the names of social media (me-tube, miscord, etc.), I'm not sure if the idea was to avoid promoting anything or to try not to be instantly dated.
I liked how the kids worked the problem together, sharing their social problems with starting middle school as they tried to figure out what was up with their unusual finds from camp. The dastardly camp direction was a bit of a let-down. But I thought it was a bit too self-conscious about the letters; I'm didn't really buy a lot of the exposition they were offering each other. The links between their shared favorite books and the creatures was really providential; it just didn't all hang together. The science didn't really hold up, which was a shame because the kids themselves were good budding scientists (even the word nerd!). So good, two fun voices, but it didn't completely hang together.
This is a take on a letter novel, with two kids writing each other (by letter, email, transcription of video chat, and
I liked how the kids worked the problem together, sharing their social problems with starting middle school as they tried to figure out what was up with their unusual finds from camp. The dastardly camp direction was a bit of a let-down. But I thought it was a bit too self-conscious about the letters; I'm didn't really buy a lot of the exposition they were offering each other. The links between their shared favorite books and the creatures was really providential; it just didn't all hang together. The science didn't really hold up, which was a shame because the kids themselves were good budding scientists (even the word nerd!). So good, two fun voices, but it didn't completely hang together.
November 21, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Secret of the Dragon Gems is a middle grade story that celebrates friendship and intention. Beginning with a summer camp, I thought the narration between Tripti and Sam was precious. It's made up of text messages, drawings, and more. As someone who never went to camp, I loved watching their characters open up to each other. To see the ways we can find and cultivate middle grade friendships.
The Secret of the Dragon Gems is a middle grade story that celebrates friendship and intention. Beginning with a summer camp, I thought the narration between Tripti and Sam was precious. It's made up of text messages, drawings, and more. As someone who never went to camp, I loved watching their characters open up to each other. To see the ways we can find and cultivate middle grade friendships.
March 11, 2024
This was so fun! Tripti and Sam meet each other at a summer camp and then spend the rest of the year communicating via letter, email, phone, chat, and Miscord (lol) about two rocks that each of them found. Something is up with these rocks though! They move overnight, are leaving the kids messages, and heat up and cool down. Inspired by their favorite book series, The Dragon Gems, they name each rock after one of the characters. Plus the owner of the summer camp, really, really, really wants those rocks...
The entire book is told through the various letters and messages, transcripts of MeTube videos about the elusive unknown author of The Dragon Gems series and with chapters from said book. It's super fun and I was hooked from the first letter.
The entire book is told through the various letters and messages, transcripts of MeTube videos about the elusive unknown author of The Dragon Gems series and with chapters from said book. It's super fun and I was hooked from the first letter.
December 9, 2024
Tripti and Sam have very little in common except they both had a miserable time at Camp Dilloway and they both followed a shooting star and found glowing, unusual rocks the last night of camp together and discovered they both love The Dragon Gems fantasy series. After camp Tripti writes to Sam for a summer assignment. The two strike up a letter/email correspondence in which they talk about their unusual rocks which seem more and more like they are actually alive, their long wait for the new Dragon Gems book, friendship issues, and more. Interspersed among their communication readers also find out someone else is very eager to get his hands on their unusual rocks, and what fan sites are saying about the upcoming Dragon Gems movie and mysterious author.
I really like how even though Tripti and Sam are different, they find each other good friends. Tripti comes from an Indian American family and she tells Sam about the Hindu holidays they celebrate over the months. Sam is Jewish and he also shares about the holidays his family celebrates and the food he is learning to make with his grandmother over video chat. Tripti went to camp with her best friend, but her friend ditched her for former camp friends once they were there and their relationship has been rough ever since. Sam is starting at a new school and trying to find new friends. The rocks eventually start leaving them coded messages that reveal more about their mysterious origins and why they are acting weird. And the person after the rocks gets closer to finding both of them. I really liked the grand climax which had wonderful messages about true friendship, how actions speak louder than words, how apologies can be hard but powerful and restorative, and how acts of compassion can bring people together. I also liked that throughout the whole book Tripti and Sam trust Sam's grandmother with what is going on with the rocks and listen to her advice, and involve her in their more wild schemes. It is beautiful to see adults kids can actually trust and have fun with kids while still looking out for their best in middle grade adventures. The Dragon Gems books also tie into the grand climax, but I'm not telling how (though I did figure it out before it was revealed). This was a fun multicultural friendship tale with a touch of .
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None that I remember
Ethnic diversity: Tripti and her family are Indian American and Sam's family are white Jewish American.
LGBTQ+ content: None that I remember
Other: No one believes Tripti or Sam about the rocks moving on their own and they are ridiculed and punished for telling the truth. Friendships changing and hardships. A greedy person gets very desperate to get his hands on the rocks, but this ends with a positive turn.
I really like how even though Tripti and Sam are different, they find each other good friends. Tripti comes from an Indian American family and she tells Sam about the Hindu holidays they celebrate over the months. Sam is Jewish and he also shares about the holidays his family celebrates and the food he is learning to make with his grandmother over video chat. Tripti went to camp with her best friend, but her friend ditched her for former camp friends once they were there and their relationship has been rough ever since. Sam is starting at a new school and trying to find new friends. The rocks eventually start leaving them coded messages that reveal more about their mysterious origins and why they are acting weird. And the person after the rocks gets closer to finding both of them. I really liked the grand climax which had wonderful messages about true friendship, how actions speak louder than words, how apologies can be hard but powerful and restorative, and how acts of compassion can bring people together. I also liked that throughout the whole book Tripti and Sam trust Sam's grandmother with what is going on with the rocks and listen to her advice, and involve her in their more wild schemes. It is beautiful to see adults kids can actually trust and have fun with kids while still looking out for their best in middle grade adventures. The Dragon Gems books also tie into the grand climax, but I'm not telling how (though I did figure it out before it was revealed). This was a fun multicultural friendship tale with a touch of .
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None that I remember
Ethnic diversity: Tripti and her family are Indian American and Sam's family are white Jewish American.
LGBTQ+ content: None that I remember
Other: No one believes Tripti or Sam about the rocks moving on their own and they are ridiculed and punished for telling the truth. Friendships changing and hardships. A greedy person gets very desperate to get his hands on the rocks, but this ends with a positive turn.
November 1, 2023
Eleven year old Tripti Kapoor from Massachusetts and eleven-year-old Sam Cohen from California meet on the last night of Camp Dilloway where they become instant friends when they find two glowing rocks; each takes one home. Through letters, emails, field journals, and a chat program, they share the growing mysterious and magical qualities of their rocks which they name Jasper and Opal, as well as the challenges and shifting friendships they are navigating in middle school. Besides their stones, Tripti and Sam share a love of the three-book series THE DRAGON GEMS, especially Volume 3 through which their stones appear to be sending them codes. The author of THE DRAGON GEMS is another secret to be solved. From different sides of the country, they collaborate to send Jasper and Opal home.
Meanwhile, camp director Sanford P. Dilloway, III, is trying to find the missing stones, and readers are privy to not only his letters to the campers but his personal journal. It appears that he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the stones—for reasons unknown.
The variety of formats (and fonts)—emails, journals, chats, MeTube Video transcripts, drawings, and THE DRAGON GEMS, Volume 3 excerpts—will especially appeal to our more reluctant readers as will the differing perspectives of the main characters provided by co-authors Rajani Narasimhan LaRocca and Chris Baron. I found myself reading faster and faster to see how it would end.
Meanwhile, camp director Sanford P. Dilloway, III, is trying to find the missing stones, and readers are privy to not only his letters to the campers but his personal journal. It appears that he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the stones—for reasons unknown.
The variety of formats (and fonts)—emails, journals, chats, MeTube Video transcripts, drawings, and THE DRAGON GEMS, Volume 3 excerpts—will especially appeal to our more reluctant readers as will the differing perspectives of the main characters provided by co-authors Rajani Narasimhan LaRocca and Chris Baron. I found myself reading faster and faster to see how it would end.
October 17, 2023
Told in a series of communications - emails, online messages, letters, journal entries - between Tripti and Sam as well as journal entries from a mysterious third character. Tripti and Sam are miserable at summer camp until the last night. Then, they find two unusual stones who seem to have a life of their own. Readers follow the two new friends as they share what is happening in their homes on opposite US coasts. The story is simple to follow and offers a few surprises along the way. By the end, most of the tensions have resolved. They learn more about Dr. Dilloway and come to consider him a friend. Tripti learns about friendship and to stand up for herself when it matters most. Their families learn to trust them, and everyone learns to look beyond the obvious to see different worlds.
August 29, 2023
When Tripti and Sam follow a shooting star on their last night at camp, they discover two interesting looking rocks near the creek. They each take a rock home and soon discover that these rocks are not ordinary…they appear to move on their own, their temperature fluctuates, and they even seem to be trying to communicate!
Told through letters, emails, instant messages and video chats, this middle grade fantasy novel brings together two characters for one “out of this world” quest!
While navigating middle school friendships and learning to stand up for what’s right, Tripti and Sam are determined to figure out the secret of the dragon gems!
Told through letters, emails, instant messages and video chats, this middle grade fantasy novel brings together two characters for one “out of this world” quest!
While navigating middle school friendships and learning to stand up for what’s right, Tripti and Sam are determined to figure out the secret of the dragon gems!
January 14, 2024
Love these two creators as both writers and as humans, and The Secret of the Dragon Gems was truly a standout middle grade story, told through journals, video transcripts, emails, and other unique forms of storytelling. Kids will eat this up, along with the best rock pals you could meet (Opal and Jasper) and the concept of a favorite book series bonding kids and ideas from the stories becoming reality! So much fun!
January 20, 2024
My daughters age 10 and 7 rated this book 5 ⭐️ stars. We listened to it on audio which I think made the letter/call/text and video chat dialogue much more enjoyable (not sure they would have been as enthralled with the story if they were reading a physical copy). It was great to have two characters who love school and learning with a sweet friendship. I would definitely recommend the audio version- 3 solid stars from me.
August 12, 2023
When two of your favorite authors team up, you know you’re in for a great! I love this creative book told in letters, emails, journal entries, and video chats! I can’t wait to share this gem with my students!
January 5, 2024
A fun, suspenseful story told in the form of letters, emails, messaging, journals, snippets of a story the characters are reading, and other media! There are great illustrations sprinkled throughout the story, and even recipes!
May 7, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Fun fantasy book for younger middle grade readers.
Fun fantasy book for younger middle grade readers.
Want to read
June 21, 2024O
June 25, 2024
I enjoyed the story and thought it was told in an interesting way.
July 16, 2024
Delightful!
December 10, 2025
I found it easy to connect with both characters. Nerds who feel alone except for online friends. all while nerding out over a book series. This is one of the best books I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews