The Dragonling

The Dragonling #1

by Jackie French Koller, Jackie French Koller

A boy and a baby dragon forge an unlikely friendship in this first book in the fantastical Dragonling chapter book series!Darek can’t wait for his first Dragonquest. Then he can be just like his older brother, Clep, the hero who brought down a Great Blue, the largest and fiercest dragon of all. Darek goes to admire the kill—and finds a dragonling peeking out of the giant dragon’s pouch. Scared but curious, he feeds the hungry baby and makes an unlikely friend. But to save the helpless Dragonling he must now venture into the fearsome Valley of the Dragons, risking his life to return his friend to his own fire-breathing kind.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Audiobook

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Jackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.

Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

!

[Stacey Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early chapter book reminded me of the old folk song "One Tin Soldier". Derek's village fight dragons because that is what they have always done. Derek learns how to become a hero in a different way.

I liked that the author was local, Groton.

Lyrics to song:

Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.

On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own.

(Chorus) Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.

So the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill,
Asking for the buried treasure,
Tons of gold for which they'd kill.

Came an answer from the kingdom,
"With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain,
All the riches buried there."

Chorus

Now the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain-people,
So they won their just reward.

Now they stood beside the treasure,
On the mountain, dark and red.
Turned the stone and looked beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said.

Chorus

[Danielle Booey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great early fantasy book for young readers about a boy who comes from a line of dragon hunters an the little dragonling he meets and accidentally befriends. Good messages in here about choosing your battles and what actually makes a person strong or "a man". Not heavy handed either. I also like the addition of pictures in the text. They are always helpful to sell a book to reluctant readers.

[Whitney La Rocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pleasantly surprised me. I found it to be extremely well-written with a rich vocabulary, thick plot, and deep meaning for young children! A fantastic read aloud or book club book for 2nd graders!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good transitional fantasy for children who like dragons. This one has a lovely gentle message (though someone dies toward the end) that is different from many dragon books.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dragonling (Dragonling, #1) by Jackie French Koller, 70 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Aladdin, 1990. $17 9781534400627

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Darek lives in a community that raises their boys to hunt dragons and the ultimate honor is to kill a dragon. When Darek’s brother, Clep, comes home with a dead dragon, Darek can’t wait until it’s his turn. Until Darek finds the dragon’s baby dragonling. Darek’s heart goes out to the little dragonling, whom he names Zantor. Darek goes on a secret quest to return Zantor to a group of dragons and finds the truth about dragons’ role in his world.

This book feels like the ultimate bait and switch because the cover is cartoon-ish and young looking, but the inside illustrations are older and the story has an older feel. My eight-year-old son was disappointed immediately, but we persevered and the story was actually quite enjoyable. The ending was a bit disappointing, because Darek’s mom saves the day and up until the end she hadn’t really played a part in the story.

C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book, although it was a little rough reading to my son. The dragonling comes out of his dead mother's pouch and licks her face... it's pretty devastating, and can be hard for little children who might be sensitive to death.
That being said, it was a cute book. Him going on this journey to get the dragonling back home.
It does have some cultural role-based conflict near the end, that's maybe too serious for the age intended. But it does have a good ending and a good segue to more books in the series.

[Kris Hennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at the library and was looking for some series books for my 5th grade reading challenge. This was recommended for ages 7-10. It was an easy read chapter book but I really enjoyed it and could see myself picking up book 2 for this challenge. I love fantasy, especially with unlikely friendships! It might be just 75 pages so for some of my readers this could be a great first challenge book!

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-release with new cover art, which I love. I wish the interior illustrations were updated, too, but I think the fresh cover will draw kids in, and hopefully the story will keep them engaged. This is a short story, but full of great action and heart. I loved the characters. I would happily hand this to any kid who loves fantasy and is ready to try some short chapter books.

[Marisa Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this a 3.75 star rating . A fun early chapter read book I read aloud to my 5 year old son. A fun story about an unlikely story of a boy and a dragon. My favorite quote was , “ if killing without cause was what it took to be a man, he wanted no part of it.”

It would make a perfect beginning chapter book for any boy and girl reader. We plan on reading through the series:)

[Sara Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute story about a boy, a baby dragon, and the willingness to do things differently. Dragons were always hunted in the past, but perhaps that is no longer necessary. Is it possible for humans and dragons to be friends? And what is the cost for remaining enemies versus the cost for becoming friends?

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack and I read this book together and the cover of our book is nothing like this cover. I liked the story well enough, but the ending was rushed and I felt like the cover we had was misleading, so Jack never really got into the story.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the age level, this was a surprisingly deep read. There were a few heartbreaking moments that dealt with loss and grief. The overarching narrative deconstructed the relationship between masculinity and violence.

[Kambrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't read it

[Monica Hocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the main characters very much! Don't know if me like where the next book is headed, but will give it a shot.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to the boys. Nice introduction into the genre for younger readers!

[Wylaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my taste, but would be good for someone else.

[Zakiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is very adventurous and very fun! The dragons are VERY cute!

[Denae Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short. Dragons. The rest was fluffy, predictable, and sappy. I'm clearly way too old for this book.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen read this in school, and likes it so much he wanted me to read it aloud to him and Abby. There was a fun surprise in the middle. What do dragons eat??

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story, meant for very young audiences. Would be great for a read aloud.

[Marion Marchetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dragons! Big, small, short, or tall. But baby dragons, or dragonlings, are the ultimate in cuteness for me. So when I found this series I was hooked. And the fact that it is written by a high school classmate of mine makes it extra special. Although written over a decade ago the story brings to life lessons that are timeless.

The Dragonling is an enchanting story of how a young boy, dreaming of going on his own dragonquest, finds a dragonling whose mother has been killed. Although the boy, Derek, has been taught to hate and fear dragons this dragonling tugs at his heartstrings. He decides to return the baby to the Valley of the Dragons, to his own kind. Along the way the two become friends and Derek names the dragonling Zantor. When at last the pair arrive at the Valley of the Dragons, Derek is amazed to learn that the dragons aren’t to be feared as he’d been taught. And the prospect of staying with the dragons is not what Zantor wants. Will the village folk, and Derek’s family, accept the dragonling into their midst?

A perfect story to help children learn that while we aren’t all alike externally, the same love beats in all hearts. Well told, easy to read, and full of likable characters, this story will charm readers of all ages. The dragons are endearing in their humanlike manner. Great read for ages 7-10 but also works as a read-to book for ages 4-6. Short chapters, detailed artwork.

[Heather]

I think these will good for my son down the road, the characters & plot seem too complex for him at 5 to keep up with. It starts w a dragon slayed but the young (9yo) boy shows his town that the dragons are not trying to harm them, He rescues a baby dragon & tries to change the towns prejudice hatred towards dragons into peaceful co-existing. He enjoyed the 1st story but they got more complex as they went on.

[Sally]

Darek can't wait to go on his first dragonquest! Only he has to wait three more years, when he'd be twelve...His brother came home with the dragon claw necklace; the reward for making the kill of a Great Blue. Only that's not all that brought to the valley - a dragonling was in his mother's pouch. Darek decides to return it to the Valley of the Dragons and makes unexpected discoveries along the way.

Grade 2-3
friendship, courage, changing perspective

[Tara Gale · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not a fan of this book. This book was very boring I thought and had no plot for the most part. I would never read this book out loud to children. It is not even one I would recomend. The climax was nearly no exsitant and the over all sttory is very over done, this book is something I hope to never read again.

[Lanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I vaguely recall this book from the one of hundreds I read as a child/preteen. I actually just found this cute little list I used to keep track of the books I read and what I thought of them before I discovered the wonders of goodreads. Apparently I thought this was a rather boring book, and who am I to argue with me? :D I do remember liking the illustrations though.

[Leia Mclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book i really liked it my favorite character is darek and zantor my favorite part was when darek was trying to feed zantor and he caught zantor a weasil but zantor didint want that soo he dug a hole and put it in there lol

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derek can't wait to slay a dragon on his first Dragonquest. Instead he impresses a blue dragonet orphaned by his brother Clep, who brought down a Great Blue on his first Dragonquest.

Pedantic. Vegetarian dragons.

Hmmm.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story about a kid who originally wants to hunt dragons, but meets a young dragon and learns so much along the way to getting him back to his family. It made me think of How to Train Your Dragon (the movie version) because the book was very different from the movie.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a young boy finds out the truth about their enemy and how they can change there society to save an endangered spieces