This series is delightful. A fun story with a well-developed plot and characters. Diversity in race, age, gender, culture--and more!--are all represented beautifully and authentically. None of the characters are tokenized or there to "tick a box."
I love getting to the end of a read-aloud with my kids, and they immediately and hopefully ask, "Is there another one?"

Zetta is killing it! I love this world; the magical mixed with honest historical atrocities is a brilliant way to teach kids about the past & current racial atrocities perpetuated against people of color.

Review copy: Digital ARC via Netgalley

I was so excited to get my hands on this sequel to the wonderful Dragons in a Bag. There simply aren't enough dragon fantasies for the early chapter book readers. And it is truly awesome to see more Black magic and Black history on our shelves.

These children are young and get themselves into all kinds of difficult situations, but they work together to solve their problems. So much of the book is about being in community with one another, building bridges, and redemption too. Humans are complicated and make mistakes, but when we love each other, we stick together.

I appreciate that the children have caring adults in their lives. So many authors try to write the adults out so the children can have agency, but that's not necessary. Children can still have adventures, make their own choices, and solve problems with adults as part of their story. The intergenerational relationships are really a strong point here. Respect is shown to elders and readers can see that everyone wants to feel needed and valued regardless of age. We can all be part of solutions no matter how young or old.

Another interesting part of the book is the historical aspect. Early in the story, Kavita's aunt shares about her ancestry and why her skin is so dark. I had not known of the Siddis in India or that the slave trade had been active in that part of the world. This is a piece of history that many children and likely many adults in the U.S. do not know. It's one more reminder that there is so much that we don't know we don't know.

Recommendation: I will definitely be including this in our elementary school library. Children will love the adventure and magic and may even learn a few things along the way. Don't miss out.

Kavita, Vik's young sister, has a secret that is rapidly getting out of control as the dragon she stole (in book one) is growing beyond her ability to conceal. Confiding in her elderly and ailing relative, Aunty, eases her worries, as Aunty springs into action, revitalized temporarily by the thought of a real dragon to save, and for a chance to do something meaningful for her family. (Kavita's mother is NOT happy that Aunty is living with them, and disdainful of whatever contributions Aunty has made to the family in the past. I suspect there's also some subtle racism and caste-based superiority going on here, as Aunty comes from a group who, though Hindu, call themselves Siddi and who originally came to India from Africa centuries ago as the enslaved property of Portuguese traders.)

Aunty and Kavita consult with an astrologer friend of Aunty's while Jaxon is desperately trying to find Kavita (and the dragon), while also find a cure for Ma's odd, persistent coma-like sleep she's been in since the end of book one. Jaxon asks Vik for help, and before they get very far, they're found by Kenny O'Connor, a classmate they're both afraid of. Kenny brings them to his home, and soon the three boys discover that their perceptions of each other is wrong, and the three embark on Jaxon's mission together.

Zetta Elliott expands Jaxon's world further, by introducing a new friend, and bringing the wonderful Aunty into the story. I love how Elliott weaves history into this tale, while also expanding the magical world to include some dubious individuals, who will no doubt figure in coming book(s).

I also loved how Jaxon grows and deals with some of his pain over his father's death, which was sudden and horrible and occurred before book one. I also like how Trouble, Jaxon's grandfather, is making overtures to Jaxon's mother and trying to become more a part of their small family.

This book was lovely.

This series has been a huge hit with the kids! They love Jax and his friends - and the whole magical world Elliott creates.

I love Zetta Elliott's writing style and the amazing voices every character has. I'm very excited to read more by her. I learn so much!