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Dreki: My Icelandic Dragon
A boy, his grandfather, and a baby dragon set off on an international adventure that takes them from Minnesota to Iceland in this middle grade urban fantasy perfect for fans of When You Trap a Tiger and How to Train Your Dragon.
Johan is off to visit his Grandpa Siggy—a charismatic, impetuous Icelander with a big he took a dragon egg with him when he immigrated to America from Iceland. As fate would have it, Dreki hatched just a few hours after Johan was born, magically linking the two. But Dreki was kept a secret.
Now, many years later, the time has come for Dreki to journey home, and for Johan to discover his ancestry through a life-changing trip to Iceland. But the clock is ticking as both Siggy and Dreki’s health is in jeopardy. It’s up to Johan to make sure both of them get home safely and for the secret of Dreki to remain. This intergenerational, cross-cultural coming-of-age novel explores aspects of Icelandic folklore while dealing sensitively with the themes of aging and returning home.
Johan is off to visit his Grandpa Siggy—a charismatic, impetuous Icelander with a big he took a dragon egg with him when he immigrated to America from Iceland. As fate would have it, Dreki hatched just a few hours after Johan was born, magically linking the two. But Dreki was kept a secret.
Now, many years later, the time has come for Dreki to journey home, and for Johan to discover his ancestry through a life-changing trip to Iceland. But the clock is ticking as both Siggy and Dreki’s health is in jeopardy. It’s up to Johan to make sure both of them get home safely and for the secret of Dreki to remain. This intergenerational, cross-cultural coming-of-age novel explores aspects of Icelandic folklore while dealing sensitively with the themes of aging and returning home.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 7, 2025
Dreki: My Icelandic Dragon is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that blends intergenerational bonds, family heritage, dragon (and other mythical creatures) folklore, magical realism, and Icelandic culture! Readers of every age will learn something new from this book while being heartwarmingly entertained! The story follows 12-year-old Johan as he heads off to stay with his Grandpa Siggy in Minnesota. But Siggy soon reveals a secret he’s been hiding—when he emigrated from Iceland, he brought a large egg he found in a cave, and the egg hatched into Dreki, a baby dragon, just hours after Johan was born. Siggy and Johan must return Dreki home to Iceland in a race against time, with both the dragon’s welfare and Siggy’s health at stake.
Johan is an animated, curious middle-grader who readers will enjoy watching “come of age” in the story. His strong bond with his grandfather is relatable and heartfelt, and the two have more in common than Johan does with his own parents, making the relationship special. Grandpa Siggy is a charismatic and sometimes impetuous character that readers will love—he tells stories of his time growing up in Iceland and carries the weight of generational memory and responsibility, which he’s reading to pass on to Johan. Siggy’s health deterioration feels real, and his stubbornness in pushing on is something many people who have older parents will relate to and empathize with. Dreki, the dragon, not only serves as a magical creature who Johan has a special connection to but also as a symbol of the family’s heritage and responsibility. For a middle grade novel the character arcs are emotional and genuine—Johan learns to trust, to act independently, and to value his generational responsibility and Icelandic roots. The quest to bring Dreki to Iceland begins as a playful family secret and ends up as a mission of love and legacy—the last chapters are especially emotional, so be prepared!
The enchanting Iceland setting is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing character that readers will be drawn to. For Grandpa Siggy, it’s a spiritual homecoming, as Iceland is his birthplace and the place of fond memories. For Johan, it’s a place of discovering more of his identity and bridging who he is and where he comes from. The book has amazing folklore—and not only of Icelandic dragon lore, but also of Icelandic elves, trolls, and the mythical “Guardians of Iceland” (who are now on Icelandic money). In addition, Siggy uses a lot of Icelandic phrases throughout the book—and to add to the immersion and fun factor for readers, there’s an Icelandic dictionary at the end of the book repeating all the same Icelandic words spoken in the story!
The story is fast-paced throughout and will keep readers of all ages engaged. Once Johan and Siggy begin planning their journey and the logistics of traveling with a dragon, the story picks up momentum and tension—and with a time-sensitive mission, the stakes remain high. Once in Iceland, the tension is balanced with cultural discovery, fascinating folklore, and Siggy’s health crisis. The ending is emotional and gives meaningful resolution that will linger long after the final page. The author’s note at the end is definitely worth a read, as she describes how the book came to be after her own experience in Iceland!
Overall, Dreki: My Icelandic Dragon is an emotionally satisfying, heartwarming adventure that’s the perfect mix of magical escapism and real-world intergenerational family dynamics. This is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys middle-grade fantasy, dragon and Icelandic folklore, and stories about family legacy, cultural memory, and growing up. If all this sounds intriguing, grab a copy and get prepared to be swept away into a world of Icelandic magic!
Johan is an animated, curious middle-grader who readers will enjoy watching “come of age” in the story. His strong bond with his grandfather is relatable and heartfelt, and the two have more in common than Johan does with his own parents, making the relationship special. Grandpa Siggy is a charismatic and sometimes impetuous character that readers will love—he tells stories of his time growing up in Iceland and carries the weight of generational memory and responsibility, which he’s reading to pass on to Johan. Siggy’s health deterioration feels real, and his stubbornness in pushing on is something many people who have older parents will relate to and empathize with. Dreki, the dragon, not only serves as a magical creature who Johan has a special connection to but also as a symbol of the family’s heritage and responsibility. For a middle grade novel the character arcs are emotional and genuine—Johan learns to trust, to act independently, and to value his generational responsibility and Icelandic roots. The quest to bring Dreki to Iceland begins as a playful family secret and ends up as a mission of love and legacy—the last chapters are especially emotional, so be prepared!
The enchanting Iceland setting is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing character that readers will be drawn to. For Grandpa Siggy, it’s a spiritual homecoming, as Iceland is his birthplace and the place of fond memories. For Johan, it’s a place of discovering more of his identity and bridging who he is and where he comes from. The book has amazing folklore—and not only of Icelandic dragon lore, but also of Icelandic elves, trolls, and the mythical “Guardians of Iceland” (who are now on Icelandic money). In addition, Siggy uses a lot of Icelandic phrases throughout the book—and to add to the immersion and fun factor for readers, there’s an Icelandic dictionary at the end of the book repeating all the same Icelandic words spoken in the story!
The story is fast-paced throughout and will keep readers of all ages engaged. Once Johan and Siggy begin planning their journey and the logistics of traveling with a dragon, the story picks up momentum and tension—and with a time-sensitive mission, the stakes remain high. Once in Iceland, the tension is balanced with cultural discovery, fascinating folklore, and Siggy’s health crisis. The ending is emotional and gives meaningful resolution that will linger long after the final page. The author’s note at the end is definitely worth a read, as she describes how the book came to be after her own experience in Iceland!
Overall, Dreki: My Icelandic Dragon is an emotionally satisfying, heartwarming adventure that’s the perfect mix of magical escapism and real-world intergenerational family dynamics. This is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys middle-grade fantasy, dragon and Icelandic folklore, and stories about family legacy, cultural memory, and growing up. If all this sounds intriguing, grab a copy and get prepared to be swept away into a world of Icelandic magic!
January 8, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very cute, informative, but also sad and reflective middle grade book with some Icelandic folklore thrown in. It is a quick read which will help to keep the target audience engaged, but also evenly paced to help the story flow. The relationship between Johan and his Grandpa Siggy is very sweet and how they came into the procession of the Dreki and how they must help it was well done. A great middle grade read!
This was a very cute, informative, but also sad and reflective middle grade book with some Icelandic folklore thrown in. It is a quick read which will help to keep the target audience engaged, but also evenly paced to help the story flow. The relationship between Johan and his Grandpa Siggy is very sweet and how they came into the procession of the Dreki and how they must help it was well done. A great middle grade read!
June 2, 2025
Modern Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure of a larger-than-life grandfather and his grandson.
My Reaction: Transitions, it’s all about growing up, growing old, and moving on. A baby dragon must be returned home, a young man must lead them to Iceland, and the grandfather remembers the way.
This is a superb story that any age group can enjoy. The author incorporated nuggets about Iceland and its unique culture, language, and history, giving the story depth and authenticity and bringing the characters to life in an easy and believable way. The story has a mixed bag of emotions, including shame, honor, familial bonds, worry, and awe.
Warning: Health/aging trigger and modest dose of shenanigans.
5/5 for all the feels, rich context, and amiable characters.
This was sponsored through NetGalley for an honest review.
My Reaction: Transitions, it’s all about growing up, growing old, and moving on. A baby dragon must be returned home, a young man must lead them to Iceland, and the grandfather remembers the way.
This is a superb story that any age group can enjoy. The author incorporated nuggets about Iceland and its unique culture, language, and history, giving the story depth and authenticity and bringing the characters to life in an easy and believable way. The story has a mixed bag of emotions, including shame, honor, familial bonds, worry, and awe.
Warning: Health/aging trigger and modest dose of shenanigans.
5/5 for all the feels, rich context, and amiable characters.
This was sponsored through NetGalley for an honest review.
June 9, 2025
Dreki was a heartwarming story as an adult and I know that I would have adored it as a kid. The sense of place transports the reader into a bittersweet, magical reality.
July 28, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Johan lives in Minneapolis with his parents, but when his father wins a cruise, he is sent to spend time with his 82 year old grandfather, Siggy. He loves being with Siggy, because they always have a lot of fun, eating junk food and not following any rules. When his grandfather trips in the kitchen and falls, however, he is shaken and finally shares a long kept secret with Johan-- there is a dragon in the basement. Before Siggy left Iceland as a young man, he had found a large egg in a cave, and brought it with him to the US. He settled on a farm near Minneota, Minnesota, married Nora, and raised Johan's mother. It wasn't until the day that Johan was born that the egg hatched. Nora knew a bit about the dragon before her death, and Siggy knows that it is imperative that he gets the dragon, whom he has named Dreki, back to Iceland. Johan and Siggy leave a note for Johan's parents and take off for Iceland, with Dreki in a front pack. There's a tiny bit of magic involved with dragons, of course, so no one really notices on the plane. The three stay in a guest house near Blönduós, Siggy's hometown, and plan on releasing Dreki to the wild when the time is right. Once they hit Icelandic soil, Dreki starts to grow a bit, and when Johan takes him to the river. The owner of the guest house has a young daughter, Elva, who shows Johan around the area. When Siggy becomes I'll with pneumonia and ends up in the hospital, Johan knows that he will have to find a way to release Dreki. He calls his parents, and his mother flies out, but a storm kicks up right as he sets out to release the dragon. Will he be able to return Dreki to his grandfather's land?
Strengths: I was apprehensive about this title, but I ended up loving it because of the grandfather. It reminded me a little of Gebhart's There Will Be Bears. Dragon books have a huge and consistent fan base in my library over the last twenty years, and the addition of a fun grandfather AND a trip to Iceland make this a great title. The pace is quick, there's just enough action, and Dreki's presence is very matter of fact, even with the hints of magic. Elva and her mother are very helpful when Siggy becomes sick. The best part might be all of the Icelandic lore, which the author gathered while she was studying textiles in Iceland. How awesome is that? Definitely purchasing, and this will not stay long when I display it with other dragons books.
Weaknesses: Scroll down to see spoiler.
What I really think: Buy this book along with Reardon's Dad Rock Dragon Quest, Reintgen's The Last Dragon on Mars, and Kagawa's Lightningborn if you need to refresh your dragon titles or add some new ones.
*Spoiler* (Highlight to read.) Siggy succumbs to pneumonia and dies, but I did love that he was in pretty good shape up to the end. Sadly, grandparents don't last for ever, and 82 is a good run.
Johan lives in Minneapolis with his parents, but when his father wins a cruise, he is sent to spend time with his 82 year old grandfather, Siggy. He loves being with Siggy, because they always have a lot of fun, eating junk food and not following any rules. When his grandfather trips in the kitchen and falls, however, he is shaken and finally shares a long kept secret with Johan-- there is a dragon in the basement. Before Siggy left Iceland as a young man, he had found a large egg in a cave, and brought it with him to the US. He settled on a farm near Minneota, Minnesota, married Nora, and raised Johan's mother. It wasn't until the day that Johan was born that the egg hatched. Nora knew a bit about the dragon before her death, and Siggy knows that it is imperative that he gets the dragon, whom he has named Dreki, back to Iceland. Johan and Siggy leave a note for Johan's parents and take off for Iceland, with Dreki in a front pack. There's a tiny bit of magic involved with dragons, of course, so no one really notices on the plane. The three stay in a guest house near Blönduós, Siggy's hometown, and plan on releasing Dreki to the wild when the time is right. Once they hit Icelandic soil, Dreki starts to grow a bit, and when Johan takes him to the river. The owner of the guest house has a young daughter, Elva, who shows Johan around the area. When Siggy becomes I'll with pneumonia and ends up in the hospital, Johan knows that he will have to find a way to release Dreki. He calls his parents, and his mother flies out, but a storm kicks up right as he sets out to release the dragon. Will he be able to return Dreki to his grandfather's land?
Strengths: I was apprehensive about this title, but I ended up loving it because of the grandfather. It reminded me a little of Gebhart's There Will Be Bears. Dragon books have a huge and consistent fan base in my library over the last twenty years, and the addition of a fun grandfather AND a trip to Iceland make this a great title. The pace is quick, there's just enough action, and Dreki's presence is very matter of fact, even with the hints of magic. Elva and her mother are very helpful when Siggy becomes sick. The best part might be all of the Icelandic lore, which the author gathered while she was studying textiles in Iceland. How awesome is that? Definitely purchasing, and this will not stay long when I display it with other dragons books.
Weaknesses: Scroll down to see spoiler.
What I really think: Buy this book along with Reardon's Dad Rock Dragon Quest, Reintgen's The Last Dragon on Mars, and Kagawa's Lightningborn if you need to refresh your dragon titles or add some new ones.
*Spoiler* (Highlight to read.) Siggy succumbs to pneumonia and dies, but I did love that he was in pretty good shape up to the end. Sadly, grandparents don't last for ever, and 82 is a good run.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews