Backyard Dragon

by Betsy Sterman, Samuel Sterman, David Wenzel (Illustrator)

With the help of three friends, a young boy and his grandfather help a fifteenth-century Welsh dragon find its way home

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Dragons, Childrens

189 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute introductory fantasy book for kids. It's really just my adult brain that (a) doesn't find the eating princesses jokes all that funny and (b) wants to see the themes of "we all have our dragons," grief, loneliness, and parental neglect dug a bit deeper.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit, this should probably be a three-star book, but this had the benefit of nostalgia. I read this at some point in my childhood. Since the plot involves the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, every year I think about reading it again. This year I found it on Openlibrary.

I admit, this isn't great literature; the writing for the kids is kinda bad, the premise has a lot of dumb "fish out of water" stuff, and even the more interesting parts, like Grandpa's arc, are kinda quick and not really explored as much as they could be. But it's a fun stupid, and there are some interesting bits, too. I think the target audience would like it, and I'm already wondering if I'll read it again next year.

[Hallie]

This book was so imprinted on my childhood that I had to find it today, at 30. My tiny dragon-loving self loved it!

[Mat Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read this with my boys. This was the first chapter book I ever read when I was younger and I think and I remember loving it. This was a lot of fun and my boys seemed to like it.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay- but not something I loved so I unhauled it. Cute premise and it was done well, just not for me.

[MatthewW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for fiction readers and dragon lovers.

[Dnaperegrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in elementary school, I borrowed this book from the library probably once a week. I haven't read it in over a decade, and yet I've never forgotten it. Because, really, who doesn't want a dragon? I recommend this for anyone (kid, adult, adult with kids, or adult who is still a kid) who just wants to have one really fun little adventure.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book manages to make a dragon and wizard travelling through several centuries into a depressing tale of stupid things going wrong. No magic at all. The main character is not so sharp either. You can not have a successful children's novel with children who are not as bright as the adults in the story. Only the grandfather is interesting.

[Jack Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and nostalgic for me because this is a book my dad used to read to me and that he made me read one time when I was younger and ever since then I have enjoyed this book and its non-fiction concept that can keep readers reading. I really liked this book and would recommend it to any readers who just want a simple non-fiction book to read in their free time.

[Maelee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being published/written in the early 1990's, this story is still relevant to today. A boy discovers a real dragon in his backyard and they become friends. The boy learns how to make friends while he tries to help the dragon get back home. Great for boy readers.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the help of friends, a young boy and his grandfather help a 15th century dragon and Wizard from Wales find their home. Very simple, good-adventure story, nice easy reader for fantasy fans

[Audry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hero finds a dragon in his backyard, and he and his friends must return him back to his home, using the New York City parade's help, without anyone knowing.

[Eric Wagoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7yo daughter loved it. We read a chapter a night for about three weeks, and it was perfect for us.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fairly engaging, however may not have as much action as children today are used to. It is a story of loyalty and friendship.

[Alejandro Limon · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book lots of adventure and fun.