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Paintball With Dragons
On his first day back to school in 7 th grade, Xander Carson discovers a large black dragon blocking his locker. Soon he's seeing wyverns, wyrms, and other lizard creatures, but no one else seems to notice them at all.
Was he going crazy?
His life was tough enough already. His older brother - his best friend - had been killed in a car accident during the summer.
And now dragons.
Through an unlikely business deal with a nerd named Zayn, Xander discovers that there may be a reason he's seeing dragons - and these discerning creatures may be just what he needs to solve his paralyzing grief.
But doing the wrong thing could make them disappear, exactly when he's growing to need them.
Was he going crazy?
His life was tough enough already. His older brother - his best friend - had been killed in a car accident during the summer.
And now dragons.
Through an unlikely business deal with a nerd named Zayn, Xander discovers that there may be a reason he's seeing dragons - and these discerning creatures may be just what he needs to solve his paralyzing grief.
But doing the wrong thing could make them disappear, exactly when he's growing to need them.
- GenresFantasy
240 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 13, 2023
A contemporary tale with a touch of dragons.
A creative look at how we might find comfort and strength during very difficult struggles. And dragons as invisible (and visible!) comfort givers is really fun. With contemporary references kids will relate to and familiar interpersonal relationships and struggles of middle school, Hope Bollinger weaves in the dragon fantasy element. There is lots of dragon information for kids who love dragons.
Grief and big personal struggles can move one’s focus inward on themselves. But this novel also reveals that there are often struggles going on all around us unseen. The saying “Always be kind because you never know what others are going through” is especially evident as the book moves to its resolution.
Xander is seeing dragons everywhere as he starts seventh grade. The problem? He may be the only one. Has the grief over losing his big brother sent him over the edge? His family is having memorial events almost every day at home which Xander is finding harder and harder to participate in. How can a guy be strong when memories at every turn threaten to overwhelm? And then, there’s the dragons….
After the shock of seeing dragons-- at school, at home, everywhere-- wears off Xander discovers it’s pretty cool. He just needs to understand why they are appearing to him. On his quest to discover more about dragons he forms an unlikely friendship with a classmate, Zayn, who’s a dragon nerd. Through Zayn’s books Xander learns about different kinds of dragons and that they can be kind, loving, and helpful.
Xander has been trying to ignore his grief, avoiding all things that remind him of his brother. No tears. No feelings. Xander believes he must be strong in his own strength. But when he discovers the dragons are appearing to bring comfort to him during this difficult time, he allows himself to face those painful feelings and move forward with the help of others and, of course, dragons.
A creative look at how we might find comfort and strength during very difficult struggles. And dragons as invisible (and visible!) comfort givers is really fun. With contemporary references kids will relate to and familiar interpersonal relationships and struggles of middle school, Hope Bollinger weaves in the dragon fantasy element. There is lots of dragon information for kids who love dragons.
Grief and big personal struggles can move one’s focus inward on themselves. But this novel also reveals that there are often struggles going on all around us unseen. The saying “Always be kind because you never know what others are going through” is especially evident as the book moves to its resolution.
Xander is seeing dragons everywhere as he starts seventh grade. The problem? He may be the only one. Has the grief over losing his big brother sent him over the edge? His family is having memorial events almost every day at home which Xander is finding harder and harder to participate in. How can a guy be strong when memories at every turn threaten to overwhelm? And then, there’s the dragons….
After the shock of seeing dragons-- at school, at home, everywhere-- wears off Xander discovers it’s pretty cool. He just needs to understand why they are appearing to him. On his quest to discover more about dragons he forms an unlikely friendship with a classmate, Zayn, who’s a dragon nerd. Through Zayn’s books Xander learns about different kinds of dragons and that they can be kind, loving, and helpful.
Xander has been trying to ignore his grief, avoiding all things that remind him of his brother. No tears. No feelings. Xander believes he must be strong in his own strength. But when he discovers the dragons are appearing to bring comfort to him during this difficult time, he allows himself to face those painful feelings and move forward with the help of others and, of course, dragons.
November 29, 2023
Loved this new spin on finding comfort and dealing with grief! Xander is dealing with the recent loss of his older brother and begins to see dragons (that no one else can see!) as he returns to school. He sets out on a mission to discovery why he is seeing them and what that might mean. He makes some new friends along the way and discovers that while processing grief is different for everyone, you must work through those emotions to truly begin healing. He also learns that everyone has challenges in their life that we are often unaware of and that helping others with their "grief" can be part of the process to healing your own grief too. Despite the "heavy" topic, it was a fun read that can be enjoyed equally by fantasy/dragon lovers as well as those who are dealing with loss. The topic is handled age appropriately and with sensitivity, but it does focus heavily on the recent death of a close family member, so that should be kept in mind for anyone who might be sensitive to this topic.
I received a advanced copy of this book from Chicken Scratch Books however, my review is voluntary and based on my personal opinions.
I received a advanced copy of this book from Chicken Scratch Books however, my review is voluntary and based on my personal opinions.
July 25, 2024
I love the concept of Paintball with Dragons - that dragons do exist and that they appear to those who are grieving. Hope Bolinger has crafted a delightful and meaningful story about a middle school boy dealing with guilt after his older brother died in a car accident while going to get him a birthday present.
Xander is grieving but just wants everyone in his family to get past it and stop having memorial times - every day of the week - when they do something Mason loved. In his grieving process, with the help of an outcast classmate and dragons, Mason learns to spot others who are grieving something. He also begins to work through his grief.
The story is a great one for those who enjoy dragon stories or for those who might be grieving.
Paintball with Dragons could easily find a place in a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.
I received a complimentary copy of Paintball with Dragons. This is my honest review.
Xander is grieving but just wants everyone in his family to get past it and stop having memorial times - every day of the week - when they do something Mason loved. In his grieving process, with the help of an outcast classmate and dragons, Mason learns to spot others who are grieving something. He also begins to work through his grief.
The story is a great one for those who enjoy dragon stories or for those who might be grieving.
Paintball with Dragons could easily find a place in a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.
I received a complimentary copy of Paintball with Dragons. This is my honest review.
December 1, 2023
This book took me to tears and left me with a smile. I never realized how many different kinds of dragons there are throughout mythology. Xander, trying to be strong after the death of his brother begins to see dragons. During the course of the books, he’s trying to figure out why, how to get rid of them, and eventually, how to keep them hanging around. Through the process he learns more about himself, his friends and family, and builds a new layer of empathy. If you’ve got a kid into fantasy, and you’d love to have them break things up a bit, give this a try. There’s enough fun dragon lore to keep them invested. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 5, 2024
I’m currently 30 and I’ve thought I would cry so hard reading a middle-school novel. It was a wonderful read that kept me engaged and entertained, since I am a fan of dragons myself, let alone paintball from time to time
Hope Bolinger does a phenomenal job to not only to keep a reader’s attention, but to have them ponder their life and areas grief, whether they have overcome it or not. There were profound messages and themes in this book and it was something I personally something needed.
Paintball with Dragons is well paced and enjoyable book that would be great for kids and their families or friends to go through together to better understand their own grief and the grief of others.
Hope Bolinger does a phenomenal job to not only to keep a reader’s attention, but to have them ponder their life and areas grief, whether they have overcome it or not. There were profound messages and themes in this book and it was something I personally something needed.
Paintball with Dragons is well paced and enjoyable book that would be great for kids and their families or friends to go through together to better understand their own grief and the grief of others.
November 14, 2023
What a lovely look at death and grief. I think fantasy and magical realism (which is what I'd call this book) is such a good way for kids to read about topics that impact them, because it feels just removed enough from real life to be able to read...and yet, so many lessons to be learned! After his brother dies, Xander begins to see dragons...but he's not sure why, or what he's supposed to do about it. As he seeks to figure that out, he also works on processing his grief over his brother's death.
November 17, 2023
A compelling story about a young boy dealing with grief and trying to be strong for his family and friends. Plus, who doesn't love dragons! A great fit for kids who love dragons, whether or not they've lost someone.
June 20, 2025
Absolutely fantastic middle-grade novel featuring not-so-invisible dragons guiding Xander through healing not-so-invisible wounds. I highly recommend this story.
October 27, 2024
> a 13-year-old boy suddenly sees dragons no one else can see, mere weeks after his brother died
themes include: grief, friendship, and reconciliation
> language: heck x1, gosh x1, stupid x1
> homeschool-friendly
> convo: kids owning phones & iPads, how lies beget more lies, a “crush” mentioned
Type: Middle Grade Novel
Ages: 11+
What a truly fantastic book. Xander, our main character, thinks and does understandable things as he walks through managing (or mismanaging, as is the case for a while) his grief. New friendships are formed, he (and, subsequently, we) happen to learn a lot of neat history about dragon mythology, and solid life lessons are learned.
He attends a private Christian school in Ravenna, Ohio, where all the typical middle school elements occur–a classification of nerds, jocks and other types of kids; a bully; locker angst; etc. Bolinger does an excellent job at character development and really causing the reader to empathize with various situations. Conversations are relevant for today–for example, hashtags come to be apart of the story–and Xander’s big feelings are surely relatable to other middle schoolers.
The book interestingly overlaps fantasy (dragons) with realistic fiction. I’d rather let you discover on your own exactly how the dragons play into the story! Their roles are unique and cleverly crafted.
Without giving much more away, let me just say that the ending was tied together beautifully. Relationships were restored, apologies were given where needed, and it all shined as a poignant example of how life goes on after a tragedy (though it is never the same). The Author’s Note and Acknowledgements have great further thoughts–plus, there’s an excellent glossary about all the kinds of dragons mentioned (to be read AFTER the story).
Overall, I am so very pleased with such a quality novel for the intended audience that I’m tempted to binge-read more from the publisher! Well done, Chicken Scratch Books, for not compromising on values, traditional family models and whatever the latest social agendas are. And, huzzah to Hope Bolinger for a story well-written!
themes include: grief, friendship, and reconciliation
> language: heck x1, gosh x1, stupid x1
> homeschool-friendly
> convo: kids owning phones & iPads, how lies beget more lies, a “crush” mentioned
Type: Middle Grade Novel
Ages: 11+
What a truly fantastic book. Xander, our main character, thinks and does understandable things as he walks through managing (or mismanaging, as is the case for a while) his grief. New friendships are formed, he (and, subsequently, we) happen to learn a lot of neat history about dragon mythology, and solid life lessons are learned.
He attends a private Christian school in Ravenna, Ohio, where all the typical middle school elements occur–a classification of nerds, jocks and other types of kids; a bully; locker angst; etc. Bolinger does an excellent job at character development and really causing the reader to empathize with various situations. Conversations are relevant for today–for example, hashtags come to be apart of the story–and Xander’s big feelings are surely relatable to other middle schoolers.
The book interestingly overlaps fantasy (dragons) with realistic fiction. I’d rather let you discover on your own exactly how the dragons play into the story! Their roles are unique and cleverly crafted.
Without giving much more away, let me just say that the ending was tied together beautifully. Relationships were restored, apologies were given where needed, and it all shined as a poignant example of how life goes on after a tragedy (though it is never the same). The Author’s Note and Acknowledgements have great further thoughts–plus, there’s an excellent glossary about all the kinds of dragons mentioned (to be read AFTER the story).
Overall, I am so very pleased with such a quality novel for the intended audience that I’m tempted to binge-read more from the publisher! Well done, Chicken Scratch Books, for not compromising on values, traditional family models and whatever the latest social agendas are. And, huzzah to Hope Bolinger for a story well-written!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews