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Dragons in a Bag #4
The Enchanted Bridge
Getting three baby dragons back home was just the beginning. Now Jaxon is on a mission to help all magical creatures from Dragons in a Bag! But things in the magical realm are more complicated than they seem in this fourth book in the critically acclaimed series.
With their new special abilities, Jaxon and his friends are not the ordinary kids they used to be. No longer destined to become a witch, Jax finds himself caught up in a secret plan involving the Guardian of Palmara's mysterious twin brother, Ol-Korrok. As the ambassador to the realm of magic, Jax must convince Sis that magical creatures should be free to return to the human world.
But to reach Palmara, Jax and his friends must cross Ol-Korrok's enchanted bridge connecting the two realms. Is Ol-Korrok really the ally he pretends to be? Or has Jax set in motion a plan that will endanger both realms?
It takes strength to build a bridge. But sometimes even the strongest bridges must be burned.
With their new special abilities, Jaxon and his friends are not the ordinary kids they used to be. No longer destined to become a witch, Jax finds himself caught up in a secret plan involving the Guardian of Palmara's mysterious twin brother, Ol-Korrok. As the ambassador to the realm of magic, Jax must convince Sis that magical creatures should be free to return to the human world.
But to reach Palmara, Jax and his friends must cross Ol-Korrok's enchanted bridge connecting the two realms. Is Ol-Korrok really the ally he pretends to be? Or has Jax set in motion a plan that will endanger both realms?
It takes strength to build a bridge. But sometimes even the strongest bridges must be burned.
5 pages, Audiobook
First published January 17, 2023
16 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Zetta Elliott
80 books440 followersI’m a Black feminist writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels, and stories for children. I was born and raised in Canada, but have lived in the US for 30 years. I earned my PhD in American Studies from NYU in 2003; I have taught at Ohio University, Louisiana State University, Mount Holyoke College, Hunter College, Bard High School Early College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College.
My poetry has been published in New Daughters of Africa, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural Writers.
My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my plays have been staged in New York, Cleveland, and Chicago. My essays have appeared in School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly. My short story, “The Ghost in Her Bones,” was published in a 2020 special issue of Obsidian.
My picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, has been called “a revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Ship of Souls was published in February 2012; it was named a Booklist Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012. My YA novel, The Door at the Crossroads, was a finalist in the Speculative Fiction category of the 2017 Cybils Awards, and my picture book, Melena’s Jubilee, won a 2017 Skipping Stones Honor Award. I received the Children’s Literature Association’s Article Award for my 2014 essay, “The Trouble with Magic: Conjuring the Past in New York City Parks.”
I am an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing, and I have self-published numerous illustrated books for younger readers under my own imprint, Rosetta Press; 3 were named Best of the Year by the Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged is a first-grade fiction selection for the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Dragons in a Bag, a middle grade fantasy novel, was published by Random House in 2018; the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) named it a Notable Children’s Book. Its sequel, The Dragon Thief, was named a Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 by CBC Books. The fifth book in the series, The War of the Witches, will be published in January 2024. The prequel will be self-published in 2024.
Say Her Name, a young adult poetry collection, was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2020; it was named a 2020 Book of the Year for Young People by Quill & Quire and a 2020 “Best of the Best” YA Title by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association; it was also a nominee for the YALSA 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction Award and a Top Ten title for Rise: A Feminist Book Project. Say Her Name won the 2021 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry.
A Place Inside of Me: a Poem to Heal the Heart from FSG was named an ALA Notable Book and a Notable Poetry Book by the National Council of Teachers of English; it won a 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award and Noa Denmon won the Caldecott Honor Award for her stunning illustrations. Moonwalking (FSG 2022), a middle grade verse novel co-authored with Lyn Miller-Lachmann earned four starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; it made the NYPL and Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2022 lists, was one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Middle Grade Books, and made the 2023 Notable Books for a Global Society list. The National Education Association has selected Moonwalking for its 2024 Read Across America program.
I was honored to
My poetry has been published in New Daughters of Africa, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural Writers.
My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my plays have been staged in New York, Cleveland, and Chicago. My essays have appeared in School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly. My short story, “The Ghost in Her Bones,” was published in a 2020 special issue of Obsidian.
My picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, has been called “a revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Ship of Souls was published in February 2012; it was named a Booklist Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012. My YA novel, The Door at the Crossroads, was a finalist in the Speculative Fiction category of the 2017 Cybils Awards, and my picture book, Melena’s Jubilee, won a 2017 Skipping Stones Honor Award. I received the Children’s Literature Association’s Article Award for my 2014 essay, “The Trouble with Magic: Conjuring the Past in New York City Parks.”
I am an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing, and I have self-published numerous illustrated books for younger readers under my own imprint, Rosetta Press; 3 were named Best of the Year by the Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged is a first-grade fiction selection for the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Dragons in a Bag, a middle grade fantasy novel, was published by Random House in 2018; the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) named it a Notable Children’s Book. Its sequel, The Dragon Thief, was named a Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 by CBC Books. The fifth book in the series, The War of the Witches, will be published in January 2024. The prequel will be self-published in 2024.
Say Her Name, a young adult poetry collection, was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2020; it was named a 2020 Book of the Year for Young People by Quill & Quire and a 2020 “Best of the Best” YA Title by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association; it was also a nominee for the YALSA 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction Award and a Top Ten title for Rise: A Feminist Book Project. Say Her Name won the 2021 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry.
A Place Inside of Me: a Poem to Heal the Heart from FSG was named an ALA Notable Book and a Notable Poetry Book by the National Council of Teachers of English; it won a 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award and Noa Denmon won the Caldecott Honor Award for her stunning illustrations. Moonwalking (FSG 2022), a middle grade verse novel co-authored with Lyn Miller-Lachmann earned four starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; it made the NYPL and Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2022 lists, was one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Middle Grade Books, and made the 2023 Notable Books for a Global Society list. The National Education Association has selected Moonwalking for its 2024 Read Across America program.
I was honored to
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 11, 2023
This is a great series for magical creature loving kids!
March 17, 2023
I've loved this series so far. I found this book A LOT though, especially for a novel this size. It's definitely a novel in a series that is preparing for more to come (which I look forward to!).
August 2, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5/5 STARS
This is book 4 in a middle grade fantasy series. It follows Jaxon and his friends who now have some magical powers and are in another world completely away from Ma.
This book goes in a completely different direction than the first three. I think it is setting up for more books in the series maybe, but it felt a little forced. It has potential and I will see where the series goes. I did like the magical creatures and the villain.
3.5/5 STARS
This is book 4 in a middle grade fantasy series. It follows Jaxon and his friends who now have some magical powers and are in another world completely away from Ma.
This book goes in a completely different direction than the first three. I think it is setting up for more books in the series maybe, but it felt a little forced. It has potential and I will see where the series goes. I did like the magical creatures and the villain.
March 31, 2023
As this series progresses, Palmara reminds me more and more of Oz. With it's ties to the cities of New York and Chicago, it's more the Oz of The Wiz than the original Baum books, but there's still the other world's appreciation of a child's practicality that rings true to Baum's Oz. Both worlds are blocked by supposedly impassible barriers where the main characters find way after way of crossing. And like in The Emerald City of Oz (1910), the connection between the worlds must be broken to protect the magical world.
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S/M Home Railroad 996600
March 27, 2023
This book was really good! I can't wait for the next book - this one leaves you in such a cliffhanger!!! I'm a bit bummed about the artist change - the characters look different than they did in the first two book. Other than that, this book is super great! Definitely recommend! <3
January 22, 2023
This, the fourth in the Dragons in a Bag series, follows Jax as he and his friends, Vik, Kenny, and Kavi as they travel to Palmara in order to possibly broker a rapprochement between Sis, the Guardian of Palmara, and her estranged brother, Ol-Korrok, as well as find Jax's grandfather, Trub. The youngsters are still figuring out their own magical powers and their roles in all these intrigues, and Jax becomes convinced that Sis's twin brother truly has changed and has forgiven her and seeks no revenge. But words and intentions can be deceptive and misinterpreted, and Jax faces some of the hardest challenges of his life on his journey, especially when he chooses to look for Trub on his own, and even Vik can't help him. The book is filled with adventure and dangers in the air, on the ground, and even underground, leading up to a dangerous mission concerning the bridge between the two worlds. The blend of fantasy and realism in the characters that populate this book and this series is just right, and readers will have no trouble believing that such things could happen on the other side of Chicago and Brooklyn. Middle-grade readers will be eager for the fifth book's publication as they ponder the ripple effect of certain actions in this one.
May 16, 2023
Quick Summary: A growth and gain installment
My Review: The Enchanted Bridge by Zetta Elliot is book four in the Dragons in a Bag series.
About the Book: This incredibly unique story continues to reveal the adventures of Jaxon and his band of friends. The author does a magnificent job of weaving in fantasy elements and magical characters. I loved that she highlighted the specific gifts and abilities of each cast member. They all had something to contribute. Additionally, I could not help but to notice how notable relationships experienced challenges that ultimately led to personal growth.
My Final Say: Installment four requires a prior knowledge of the characters and the quest that they are on in order to fully understand what is happening. While the content is linked to the other books, I personally feel like this volume went in a bit of a different direction. It was character driven more so. It also nodded to African literature. There are plethora of lessons within the story - on differences, on life choices, on consequences, on forgiveness and reconciliation, on doing the right thing even in the face of trials.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Ages 10 and up
Other: The entire series would be fantastic for a book club.
#libraryread
My Review: The Enchanted Bridge by Zetta Elliot is book four in the Dragons in a Bag series.
About the Book: This incredibly unique story continues to reveal the adventures of Jaxon and his band of friends. The author does a magnificent job of weaving in fantasy elements and magical characters. I loved that she highlighted the specific gifts and abilities of each cast member. They all had something to contribute. Additionally, I could not help but to notice how notable relationships experienced challenges that ultimately led to personal growth.
My Final Say: Installment four requires a prior knowledge of the characters and the quest that they are on in order to fully understand what is happening. While the content is linked to the other books, I personally feel like this volume went in a bit of a different direction. It was character driven more so. It also nodded to African literature. There are plethora of lessons within the story - on differences, on life choices, on consequences, on forgiveness and reconciliation, on doing the right thing even in the face of trials.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Ages 10 and up
Other: The entire series would be fantastic for a book club.
#libraryread
January 31, 2024
Jaxon and his friends, all of them except for Vik, are all gifted with powers which stem from the creature or being they are bonded to. While no longer destined to become a witch, Jaxon wants to help the estranged twin brother of Sis (the Guardian of Palmara) Ol-Korrok. Jax also wants to find his grandfather Trub.
Jax and Vik set out, though Vik stops part of the way to have his own surprising encounter. Jax must release his grandfather, and convince Sis that Ol-Korrok has truly changed.
The different aims of the various magical adults are not always clear, and Jax has to figure out what's right, while also listening to the ancient wild magic beings he meets. The destruction of the enchanted bridge that connects Palmara and Earth seems to solve one problem, but causes others, including great injury to Sis and the release of a terrifying being.
These stories are great. I love how Jaxon and his friends must figure out what is the right thing to do, while also trying to convince their elders who seem to be set in their own ways and beliefs. The kids must all discover strength within themselves, and deal with the consequences of theirs and their elders' actions.
Each new installment in this series explores character a little deeper, while also dealing with deeper, difficult questions, making for an enjoyable set of stories. This one delivers on adventure, wonderful friendship, and maturing perspectives on complex problems.
Jax and Vik set out, though Vik stops part of the way to have his own surprising encounter. Jax must release his grandfather, and convince Sis that Ol-Korrok has truly changed.
The different aims of the various magical adults are not always clear, and Jax has to figure out what's right, while also listening to the ancient wild magic beings he meets. The destruction of the enchanted bridge that connects Palmara and Earth seems to solve one problem, but causes others, including great injury to Sis and the release of a terrifying being.
These stories are great. I love how Jaxon and his friends must figure out what is the right thing to do, while also trying to convince their elders who seem to be set in their own ways and beliefs. The kids must all discover strength within themselves, and deal with the consequences of theirs and their elders' actions.
Each new installment in this series explores character a little deeper, while also dealing with deeper, difficult questions, making for an enjoyable set of stories. This one delivers on adventure, wonderful friendship, and maturing perspectives on complex problems.
January 25, 2023
Are you interested in: a middle grade fantasy continuation that shakes up what the protagonist and their crew’s understanding of the magical world they’ve become a part of?
Fluid incorporation of mythologies that reflect the crew’s multiple cultures?
Then give the latest release in the Dragons in a Bag series a try. I've found the series a joy to read since the beginning and The Enchanted Bridge certainly added to the experience. If you're a fan of magic adventures among friends and intergenerational discoveries, then I'm sure you'll find this a great addition to your TBR.
IG review post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnz-1D...
Fluid incorporation of mythologies that reflect the crew’s multiple cultures?
Then give the latest release in the Dragons in a Bag series a try. I've found the series a joy to read since the beginning and The Enchanted Bridge certainly added to the experience. If you're a fan of magic adventures among friends and intergenerational discoveries, then I'm sure you'll find this a great addition to your TBR.
IG review post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnz-1D...
April 29, 2023
I did enjoy the book. I found this book and read it without first reading the earlier books. While I was able to enjoy and understand the book alone I do feel like I was missing some of the themes and backstories that were often alluded to. I would recommend to others to read them in order to help gain clarity and improve their overall enjoyment.
While this is a kids book, I find magic and dragons to be fascinating, and I love to see how different writers approach them. I look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books from this series.
While this is a kids book, I find magic and dragons to be fascinating, and I love to see how different writers approach them. I look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books from this series.
March 2, 2023
My boys have loved this series. They (Ages 6 & 8) rate it 4.5. We have truly enjoyed it as a read aloud and it has led to many amazing discussions about who we trust, following our instincts, loyalty and friendships, as well as expectations, integrity, and family values.
As an adult, I enjoyed the first 3 books of the series much more than the last.
In any case, this is one of those series that will keep you thinking about it for years after you've read it.
As an adult, I enjoyed the first 3 books of the series much more than the last.
In any case, this is one of those series that will keep you thinking about it for years after you've read it.
January 30, 2023
Fourth in this series.
Jaxon has been asked to be the ambassador to Palmera to speak with The Guardian about reopening the gates between their worlds. He and his friends all learn more about their own powers and mature in how they work together. This one was a bit slow paced for me.
A cliffhanger ending will leave readers impatiently waiting for the next book.
Jaxon has been asked to be the ambassador to Palmera to speak with The Guardian about reopening the gates between their worlds. He and his friends all learn more about their own powers and mature in how they work together. This one was a bit slow paced for me.
A cliffhanger ending will leave readers impatiently waiting for the next book.
February 20, 2023
DNF. About halfway through there started to be eight legged creepy crawlies, which give me nightmares. (Please, don't even comment on that. Just mentioning here is a problem.) I might have made it through the story, except there were pictures. And.... I just can't. Sorry. I've enjoyed this series, though. And the first half of the book was fun. Hence 3 stars.
January 19, 2023
Another fabulous edition to this fun series! I highly recommend this series for your family road trips!
Narration by Ron Butler & Adenrele Ojo was excellent, Ron is totally Jaxon for me!
I look forward to the next installment!
Narration by Ron Butler & Adenrele Ojo was excellent, Ron is totally Jaxon for me!
I look forward to the next installment!
Read
April 15, 2023This book is about Jaxon, and his friends planning to save the mystical creatures with the phoenix's help they try to find out if ol krokor is a villian or has really became a good person. they have hard times trying to reach a mystical place where anything can happen.
March 6, 2025
As I go on I feel like these books have some silly plot holes, but I'm trying to put them aside and just enjoy the journey because it is a fun story. This one takes place entirely in Palmera- the magical world and gets to really showcase the magic a lot more than we have seen up to this point.
Want to read
November 25, 2022DRAGONS!
February 8, 2023
This was better than the previous book. Jax has to deal with actual consequences and finally tells his mom the truth.
March 19, 2023
I love this series so much. Another wonderful installment. And that ending. I hope there's a book 5.
April 27, 2023
This is my favorite one of the series so far!
February 4, 2024
Mysterious, intriguing, and lighthearted.
June 4, 2024
Whelp, I guess I need to go read the last book right away because I need to know how this ends. So many feelings!
July 4, 2025
It’s a very well written book that is filled with magical creatures and adventure.
June 1, 2023
A fun and adventurous continuation of the Dragons in a Bag series, where our heroes find themselves discovering their unique powers and learning how defend others.
Thank you Random House Books for providing a physical copy through Youth Services Book Review.
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis:
We pick up where we left off at the end of The Witch’s Apprentice: Jax and his friends fall into the portal made by the cunning wizard Ol-Korrok, whose intentions are still unknown. The crew now possess special magical gifts, each tied to a magical creature. Jax and the fiery phoenix, Kenny and the fairy Jef, Kavi and the dragons, and Vik with…nothing yet. Even so, the four kids are ready to face their biggest task yet: convince Sis, the Guardian of Palmara, to re-open the gateways between the human and the magical world. But to enter Palmara, they must first cross the enchanted bridge between realms, designed by Ol-Korrok’s hand, and Jax, the main ambassador between realms, must lead his friends on the right path. But what is the right path? Is Ol-Korrok to be trusted? Or is there a far greater threat to both the human and magical world? Follow Jax, nervous yet determined, as he learns the true nature of the enchanted bridge and forges his own way.
What I Liked:
The Enchanted Bridge is the fourth book in the Dragons in a Bag series that follows Jax, Vik, Kavi, and Kenny in their magical adventures. Each book reads like a small act in the grand story, starting in the middle of one climactic event and ending in another. It’s a unique style of storytelling with never a dull moment. Jax, as always, is a great protagonist, as he has conflicting feelings about the mission, his friends, and his own abilities through the journey. The story teaches valuable life lessons on how to handle emotions, and that it is okay to make mistakes or disagree with others. Jax, his family members, and Sis (when not in dragon form) are African-American; Vik, Kavi, and their Aunt are Indian, Kenny is white, and the magical creatures come from worldwide folklore and legends.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids who have read the Dragons in a Bag series before and want to continue the story and kids who love fantasy stories with fun mythical creatures
Date of review: February 14, 2023 on YSBR site
Thank you Random House Books for providing a physical copy through Youth Services Book Review.
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis:
We pick up where we left off at the end of The Witch’s Apprentice: Jax and his friends fall into the portal made by the cunning wizard Ol-Korrok, whose intentions are still unknown. The crew now possess special magical gifts, each tied to a magical creature. Jax and the fiery phoenix, Kenny and the fairy Jef, Kavi and the dragons, and Vik with…nothing yet. Even so, the four kids are ready to face their biggest task yet: convince Sis, the Guardian of Palmara, to re-open the gateways between the human and the magical world. But to enter Palmara, they must first cross the enchanted bridge between realms, designed by Ol-Korrok’s hand, and Jax, the main ambassador between realms, must lead his friends on the right path. But what is the right path? Is Ol-Korrok to be trusted? Or is there a far greater threat to both the human and magical world? Follow Jax, nervous yet determined, as he learns the true nature of the enchanted bridge and forges his own way.
What I Liked:
The Enchanted Bridge is the fourth book in the Dragons in a Bag series that follows Jax, Vik, Kavi, and Kenny in their magical adventures. Each book reads like a small act in the grand story, starting in the middle of one climactic event and ending in another. It’s a unique style of storytelling with never a dull moment. Jax, as always, is a great protagonist, as he has conflicting feelings about the mission, his friends, and his own abilities through the journey. The story teaches valuable life lessons on how to handle emotions, and that it is okay to make mistakes or disagree with others. Jax, his family members, and Sis (when not in dragon form) are African-American; Vik, Kavi, and their Aunt are Indian, Kenny is white, and the magical creatures come from worldwide folklore and legends.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids who have read the Dragons in a Bag series before and want to continue the story and kids who love fantasy stories with fun mythical creatures
Date of review: February 14, 2023 on YSBR site
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews