The Dragonsitter

Title: The Dragonsitter

Author: Josh Lacey

Illustrator: Garry Parsons

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Year: 2015 (US Edition)

ISBN: 978-0-316-29896-4

Summary: Eddie is responsible for his Uncle Morton’s dragon. The problem is Uncle Morton did not leave instructions for the proper care of his dragon. Eddie doesn’t even know the dragon’s name. After several attempts to contact Uncle Morton, Eddie finally gets an email: Have you tried chocolate? And with that, the dragon begins to act like a respectable pet. Uncle Morton eventually returns to pick up his dragon, by the way his name is Ziggy, and Eddie is begging for a visit to see Uncle Morton and the dragon.

Literary Merit: The story is written in a series of emails, mostly from Eddie to Uncle Morton, but a few responses from Uncle Morton as well. Short and snappy, these emails provide the characters’ voices, the dragon’s naughty antics, and the urgency to find a solution. (And besides that, the solution is chocolate!)

Kid Appeal: One word, dragons! Another word, funny! What kid wouldn’t want a pet dragon? Well maybe quite a few, once they find out how hard it is to take care of one. But enjoying a pet dragon vicariously through Eddie is another thing entirely!

Disclaimer: This book was nominated for the 2015 CYBILS Award in the Early Chapter Book category. This review is shared as part of the Round One Judging. It is solely my own opinion and not influenced by any other parties.