The Dragon in the Sock Drawer

Dragon Keepers #1

by Kate Klimo, John Shroades (Illustrator)

For Magic Tree House readers who are ready for something longer, the Dragon Keepers series has the perfect length and reading level, along with the fast-paced writing, adventure, and sense of teamwork that kids love to read.

Ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy have always wanted something magical to happen to them. So it’s a wish come true when Jesse’s newly found thunder egg hatches and a helpless, tiny, but very loud, baby dragon pops out. Soon the two kids are at the dragon’s beck and call, trying to figure out what to feed her. An Internet search leads them to the library, which leads them back to the Internet, where they find a very strange Web site called foundadragon.org. Here the cousins discover that the dragon’s hatching has designated them “Dragon Keepers.” Not only do they have to feed the dragon, whom they named Emmy, but they also have to keep her safe from the villainous Saint George, who has kept himself alive over centuries by drinking dragons’ blood!

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Adventure, Juvenile

159 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Kate Klimo spent her early years amidst the cornfields of Iowa where the winters were prodigious. Often, when the snows flash-thawed in the spring, she would find her backyard filled with the flapping, resurrected bodies of fish her ice-fishing father had stored in the snowdrifts. Thus sprang into her young head the unshakable notion that, all winter long, fish escaped from the rivers and magically swum through the snow banks of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

When she moved to the little town of Sea Cliff, on Long Island Sound, she met her best friend Justine in the Stenson Memorial Library at the main desk, where they often checked out the same fantasy writers. Together, they read C.S. Lewis, E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, and George MacDonald and embarked on a tireless search for portals to magical worlds, extending from abandoned Victorian mansions to the decrepit local five-and-dime to the sandy cliffs sweeping down to the Sound.

With her propensity for magical thinking and long-standing love of fantasy, does it come as any surprise that Kate grew up to be in the book business? But after over 25 years of heading up Random House Children’s Books, with the publication of The Dragon in the Sock Drawer in March 2008, Kate began to ease over to the author’s side of the desk.

Now a full-time author, in addition to numerous one-off titles, she has written the middle-grade series The Dragon Keepers series and the Dog Diaries as well the Centauriad for young adults. Under the pen name Bonnie Worth, she has penned over a dozen books in the best-selling Cat in the Hat Learning Library. She lives in New Paltz, New York with her husband and two horses.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, cute, sweet and very very funny!

A lovely read I highly recommend for all those of you who have a little magic lover of your own, in search of an exciting new adventure.

Cause being a Dragon Keeper is THE BEST!!!!



You should definitely give it a try. :D

Happy reading!!!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Dragon Keepers series by Kate Klimo and John Shroades. We discovered this series by chance during a library visit and my oldest is enthralled. She read this book almost nonstop until she finished it and we've quickly put the next three books in the series on hold at our local library. She really hopes that more will be published soon!

I found the book to be a quick, entertaining read. It's a great book to introduce children into the sci-fi/fantasy genre and has some suspense and adventure without being too scary or weird. Jesse and Daisy, the main characters, are ten-year-old cousins. This preteen, sibling-like pair are brave and love to explore and they remind me of Jack and Annie from The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.

I liked the literary references and think that it's a good time to introduce our girls to The Chronicles of Narnia. I also think that it's interesting that Saint George is portrayed as an evil man in this story, since our only exposure to the character has been as a hero in Saint George and the Dragon.

Overall, we really enjoyed this book and I can certainly see this series continuing past the first four books that have been published so far.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute middle grade or upper elementary fantasy about two cousins who find a dragon in a geode. Jesse and Daisy are best friends and both are believers in magic. They have created their own magical museum in an abandoned barn that has become their playhouse. Daisy's dad is a geologist. On one trip with him, Jesse finds a geode that his uncle calls a thunder egg. What he doesn't mention right away is that the egg talks to him. After Uncle Joe is unsuccessful at cutting open the geode, Jesse stores it in his sock drawer.

In just a little while the egg hatches and Jesse and Daisy are first met with the challenge of finding something the dragon they name Emerald but call Emmy can eat. I think kids will enjoy the one-sided food fight as the kids try to find something Emmy likes when she decides to spit out what she doesn't. Being modern kids they go to the internet and Google to learn more about the dragon. They find a website and get some tips at www.foundadragon.org.

But there is a villain in the story too. Professor St. George, pronounced Sin George, is on the hunt for a dragon. He plans to raise it and drink its blood. The kids need to be creative to keep Emmy away from the evil scientist.

This was a fun story that will appeal to middle grade and younger fantasy lovers. I recommend it.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book out loud to my 7 year-old son, and I'm not sure which one of us enjoyed it more! The writing is enticing and the storyline one that hooks your attention. The elements of fantasy (the discovery and hatching of a dragon egg) are delightful, and the characters are real enough for kids to relate to. Although the book is fantasy, the story is well-crafted and believable. My son is a reluctant reader, and this book captured his imagination and we can't wait for the release of the second in the series this fall.

The reading level for the book is 3rd-grade, but it was an enjoyable read as an adult - the vocabulary is varied and my son learned quite a few new words from reading it. If you're looking something at a slightly more challenging level than the Magic Treehouse books, I'd highly recommend this~

[Candy Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Probably the best ages to read this would be 6-9 depending on the reader.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of Kate Klimo’s Dragon Keepers series, The Dragon in the Sock Drawer, finds cousins Jesse and Daisy caring for and protecting their newly hatched dragon. Emmy, whose name is really Emerald, hatches out of an egg that Jesse thought was a geode, and she immediately begins to grow. In fact, she doubles her size every day. The kids tell Daisy’s dad, Joe, that Emmy is a green basilisk lizard from Costa Rica. Unfortunately, their lie lands them in trouble because Joe, thinking that someone has lost a rare and valuable pet, insists that they put up found posters around the neighborhood. The story’s villain, Dr. Saint George, claims that Emmy escaped from his lab and takes Emmy away in a cage. Of course, Jesse and Daisy immediately begin scheming to get her back.

I’m glad to see that there are three more books in this series because this was a light, fun fantasy. My favorite character so far is Emmy, who seems very smart and talented (and very cute). I think I would enjoy spending more time with these characters.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly picked up this book for my 3rd grade son to read this summer. He really enjoyed it so I (half-jokingly) said I would read it too. I just finished it today, and I'll have to say I thought it was a cute book! I really like that the author finds a way to explain the definition of big words to the reader, in a fun way. Cute story. I think we'll both read #2! :)

[Shala Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The six-year-old loves this series. We had been reading it one chapter at a time together at storytime but she got too impatient with that and stole the book to read on her own. She is very generously allowing me to continue reading this book to her in the evenings even though she is two books ahead in the series already.

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy children's books almost as much as their intended audience, but perhaps I am being too harsh, but I didn't find this book particularly interesting. Written fairly well with a strong opening, but still I found that it spoke down to the reader, as opposed to speaking to them.

[Anna Nesterovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my 6 year old, and he was very excited. It's his first fiction book without illustrations, and I'm glad we found something that wasn't over his head and made him laugh quite a lot. We finished it in three sittings and are going to continue reading the series.

I only wish that "age appropriate" characters wouldn't be that silly and unrealistic. A stranger stands in you hall, calls your kids thieves, and demands to search your house. What do you do? Right, call the police. What that uncle Joe does? Helps the stranger search the house! I'm not sure a person like that wouldn't survive in the real world.

The other thing that I didn't like was the emphasis on being boring as a positive thing. I certainly hope my son in a few years wouldn't choose an "American school and American food" with imaginary adventures over traveling and real adventures. I don't remember thinking like that when I was ten! That kind of thinking is for very young, who are around three and still naturally conservative, and for older people, with kids of their own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter read this series and talked about it so much that I had to start it. Jesse finds a thunder rock while out hiking with his cousin Daisy. His uncle thinks it's a geode and tries to break it open, but it doesn't work. Jesse puts it in his sock drawer. A day later a dragon hatches from it. A cute green dragon they name Emerald, Emmy for short. This one event changes the cousins summer. They are now Dragon Keepers and must keep Emmy safe. Emmy is a fun character. And a hungry one! I really enjoyed this quick youth fiction book. The story flowed well. There is a pleasant surprise at the end. I like how the author ended it. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Emma Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it and thought it was so clever to make Emmy turn into a dog extremely well written

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer
by Kate Klimo

This middle-grade novel is a fantasy about a pair of ten-year-old cousins who find a geode that really turns out to be a dragon egg. The egg soon hatches and the cousins are now “dragon keepers”, assisted by a mysterious web site. (This is a real web site maintained by Random House.) As a plot complication, there is an evil dragon slayer, posing as a university herpetologist in town, who is after the dragon. However, the cousins take exemplary care of their new pet.

At one point, it is mentioned briefly that the dragon’s capture by the dragon slayer “could spell doom…for the world”; however, that is never explained or expanded any further.

I was disappointed that the children lie flat out, never get caught or punished, and seem to feel justified because they lie to the bad guy. Other than that, this first book in the Dragon Keepers series is an enjoyable read.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Breia "The Brain" Brickey for TeensReadToo.com

This is the story of ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy, who look every day for something magical to happen to them.

They find what they believe is a geode called a Thunder egg. The "Thunder egg," though, turns out to be a dragon egg - and thus begins the story of two young Dragon Keepers.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE DRAGON IN THE SOCK DRAWER from beginning to end. Jesse and Daisy learn as the days pass how to take care of their new charge. The story flowed very well and I can't wait to read more about the Dragon Keepers.

I think this story would be good for any child, although it is recommended for 9-12 year olds. I was very happy to see two characters this young stand up for themselves and their dragon.

I highly recommend this book, as it will capture the attention of kids and adults alike.

[Konsta]

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo is a fantastically written book that Features the main protagonists, Jesse and Daisy who suddenly have a dragon in their possession who they have to protect from the villain, Dr. St. George. This book does not have much complex language and is a book that seems more suitable for younger readers. It is also relatively short with a page count of about 165 pages, and it makes for a quick read. I read this book for the first time a few years ago, and decided to re-read it. It was honestly just as good as I remember it, especially with the suspense of 'what will happen next' reoccurring numerous times in the story. Even though it is a good book it is more suitable for readers of a younger age.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Miss is obsessed with this story, repeatedly checking out the audio book, listening every night, calling herself by the main character's name (Jesse not Daisy), and carrying around- talking to and about- a small plastic dragon she calls Emmy.

It is a really cute story, at a young reader's level, with fun characters and a very cute dragon.



Content Note: It might bother some, although it doesn't me, that the villain in the story is St. George, the Dragon Slayer. He is not viewed as a religious figure in this book.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are captivating and they lead you an awesome adventure in fantasy.

I would recomme3nd it for the young reader or an adult.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was funny, interesting and scary at times. I really liked that the dragon could talk. She was really funny when she did.

[Daphne Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

When cousins Jesse and Daisy ("Daze") find a dragon egg, they soon become keepers of a baby dragon called Emmy. Silly plot contrivances (such as Jesse knowing that someone evil is searching for the dragon, yet he posts signs about a "missing lizard" all over town anyway) really hold the story back and magnify its three main features: a good premise held back by weak characters and contrived plot.

The prose here is simple and workmanlike, rarely flashy but generally serviceable for the intended audience. For example: "Anyone seeing them together would think they were friends instead of family, because they looked nothing alike. They were both ten years old, but Jesse was small for his age and sturdy, with brown eyes and shaggy brown hair. Daisy was fair-haired and tall and thin." Effective, but not sparkling by any means.

The writing shines brightest in the few descriptive passages devoted to the newborn dragon. Here's one of my favorite descriptions in the book: "It was no bigger than a newborn kitten. Its bottom half was stout and covered with shiny scales. They were green (or blue, depending on how you moved your head) with the rainbow sheen of oil on a puddle. Sprouting from its shoulder blades were two dark green bumps, not so much wings as the idea of wings. Two long dark green ridges ran down its back and along its pointed tail. Its head was like a seahorse's, only broader."

The dragon in question, Emerald (Emmy for short) seems to have the vocabulary of ET The Extra Terrestrial: "Wa. Ter. Goooooood." And: "Emm. Eee. Like Rrrrocckkk!" It can be annoying to read aloud, but kids (at least my niece and nephew, to whom I read it) like the exaggerated way of speaking.

Generally speaking, the book seems to think it's funnier than it really is, but there are a few amusing scenes. For example, at one point the cousins attempt to find something for Emmy to eat and she rejects everything in the kitchen. This was laugh-out-loud hilarious to my niece and nephew; they loved it. Lots of giggles.

Overall: A decent read for younger kids. The interesting premise is not helped by largely mundane writing, nor are either of the two main characters particularly compelling or well developed, but younger kids will most likely be distracted by the silly dragon antics enough not to mind.

I'm not terribly excited to read book two to my niece and nephew, but they enjoyed this first entry enough that they're looking forward to it. Which I suppose is all that really matters!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I apparently had this book in my library for quite some time. I think I received it from my neighbour a few years back. I recently cleaned up my library and found this and decided to give it a shot even though I'm definitely not the intended audience.

This was a very quick read for me (again, I was not the intended audience so that totally explains this). This was a cute book that I think many children will enjoy, especially with all the references to other fantasy books (well at least there was a reference to Narnia, but I might have missed some other references), though I must say this book is a lot easier than Narnia is, I think. My only problem I have with this book is that it not really ends. It has an open ending that immediately refers the reader to the next book. Even though I haven't read this second book I do feel that it might have been better if the author had combined both books into one bigger book.
I think they decided against this as to not scare potential readers away who might not dare read bigger books (+/- 400 pages probably). This book is perfect for children - I think - age 8 to 12 who themselves dream of finding a pet dragon.

I'm not sure, I'm going to finsh this series. I might, when the urge to read something short and simple hits me again, but for the moment I do not really feel compelled to learn more about the characters or situation.

[Maleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This was definitely a kids book, but a fun read nevertheless. I liked the baby dragon. And the kids' personalities didn't annoy me too much. However, I was totally annoyed with how the events played out. Come on...you aren't going to hand your dragon over to a DRAGON SLAYER because you want your father to believe the lie you made up in the first place. They had no idea he wouldn't walk outside and kill the dragon first thing. It just seemed highly unbelievable. And the dragon being a dog at the end? So she could hide? That also seems implausible. I still liked the book in general. I'll have to ask my daughter how the other books go. I'm not sure I have the patience with the story line. It seems the author overthought a few things and tried to make it more realistic. Yes, the dad probably would be suspicious of a exotic lizard showing up in his home. But I'm reading a book about dragons, I'm okay with a few inconsistencies.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a pretty cute children’s book that’s suitable for a child to read solo (it’s labelled an 8-9 year reading age, and that seems about right from what I remember of standard books for that age). There’s some harder words for them to learn too but the definitions are supplied by characters.

From an adult’s perspective (I’m 35), I found the dragon’s dialogue pretty bad. The dragon hatching knowing so much and so little at the same made the story less believable (I was really on board for most of the action!). The professor online was also an annoying character and quite possibly unnecessary as I felt the info he supplied wasn’t much help. The kids were smart enough to figure those things out for themselves. And what about the big book? Seems some things were unresolved.

Overall though, I’m sure children would love the story of a young boy and girl who discovered a dragon egg with a talking dragon inside and the cousins’ adventures as they tried to protect her.

[Emock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud to my 5 & 7 year old. They liked it. I thought it was a bit dull. The diction isn't very vibrant and stays pretty basic throughout. I don't like that the two kids lie to the adults multiple times.
Emmy is cute and creative, the only bright spot.
I'll probably get roped into reading the sequel, since the kids love all things dragons.

Certainly not as creative as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (which we read just before) or Windfeather.

[Rachel Armington · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed this first book in the series. The twist at the end was cute, and generally I would recommend for young readers.
My only big issue is that now and then the author will insert parentheses for something she hasn't explained sufficiently in the story. These little explanations distracted me from the story and felt like notes the author had inserted for herself for later revision. I'm not sure why the editor let these pass out.

[Taralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4th grade son and I read this chapter book independently then discussed it each night as we went. He liked it and I was happy to find a book he finally enjoyed. Reading is not his favorite thing and this book kept his attention. There was just enough adventure and suspense. I'm so glad there are more in this series!

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book. The cover says it's great for the age group who has finished reading Magic Treehouse but is not quite ready for Harry Potter. The little baby dragon is cute. This is the first in a series and I would have to see about ordering the next ones later through library systems. Perfect book for the young dragon lover.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing childeren's books in a series. This one is really cute and adventurous. It is also modern because the boy emails his doctor parents in Africa.

He goes to live with his cousin in Arizona and finds a thunder egg that talks to him. It hatches and of course there is a bad man, St. George, the dragon slayer.(the painting) They protect it.

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and it was pretty good, if you like fantasy I would read this book there’s 5 in the series! I just need to give it 4 stars because I’m not a fantasy lover but it is good! I’m on the second book “Dragon in the Drive Way” and it’s good read this book and find out the little problems Jesse and Daisy have on there fun time with a talking egg that hatches into a dragon!

[Pamela Thomason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m with Daisy and Jesse; that is, always on Emmy’s side! From the sock drawer to the haystack, from a scaly touch to a fur coat, our peppery dragon is a pleaser. Can’t wait to read the next book, in the series, as per my grandson’s enthusiastic recommendation. He, too, knows how to keep a good secret, and how to keep a secret good!