| The Dragon of Lonely Island |
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What You Need to Know:
• A three-headed dragon makes life on Lonely Island much less lonely for three siblings during their summer vacation.
• Each of the dragon heads shares a story and a message with the children.
• Look out for challenging words like prodigious, ephemeral and congenial. The meanings are often explained by one
of the characters.
• This book is the first in the series. The children visit Lonely Island again in The Return of the Dragon.
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Sweet Book Summary:
Rebecca Rupp delivers a sweet and innocent adventure in The Dragon of Lonely Island. There are no cell phones or computers, or even friends to serve as distractions. The book focuses on the Davis siblings, Hannah (12), Zachary (10) and Sarah Emily (8) and the summer they spend on Lonely Island. The first few pages clearly set the scene, and the story that follows is straightforward and simple. There are only a few names to remember and just enough description to let readers get to know the characters and the landscape without giving them too much information.
The family, excluding their father who is traveling for work, is heading to their Aunt Mehitabel’s isolated house off the coast of Maine, where their mom can write her mystery novel in peace and quiet. Aunt Mehitabel can’t be there but she gets the children excited for adventure with an intriguing letter and a mysterious key. Once on the island, the children, who have plenty of freedom and lots of time on their hands, set off to explore.
It doesn’t take them long to find Fafnyr, a three-headed dragon, that defies all they thought they knew about these creatures. This dragon is kind, amusing and surprisingly, has absolutely no interest in eating them! Instead, it tells them stories. Actually, each of the three “heads” tells a dramatic story that imparts a lesson which seems especially designed to connect with one of the kids. The three stories feature strong, brave children who show Hannah, Zachary and Sarah Emily how to be leaders, keep their promises, only take what belongs to them, “look after those less fortunate”, and have confidence in themselves. In the end, Fafnyr’s tales leave each child changed for the better and ready for their next adventure. |
Author: Rebecca Rupp Illustrator: n/a Published: 1998, 192 pages
Themes: Adventure, Character/Values, Fantasy, Siblings, Storytelling, Talking Animals |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• How would you describe the siblings’ relationships?
• Which sibling do you relate to the most and why?
• Do you think that inequalities for girls still exist today?
• Do you believe in dragons? Would you like to meet one?
• What would you do if you were stranded on an island? Name three things you don’t think you could live without.
• Which of the three dragon stories did you like the best, and why?
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| This recommendation was written by: Melissa G. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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Capture the Flag
