THE DRAGON'S EYE: The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume One
by Dugald A. Steer
illustrated by Douglas Carrel
Candlewick Press
Hardcover: 0763628107
Paperback: 9780763638078
Ages 9-up
240 pages

• Read an Excerpt

I often think back to my childhood. I was a lucky boy --- I grew up with my very own dragon living in the woods at the bottom of my garden.
  -- Dr. Drake's Dragon Diary, June 1842

Have you ever wanted to have the most fantastic adventure in the world? Wouldn't it be great to meet a dragon eye to eye? This is exactly what happens to Daniel Cook and his sister Beatrice when they are sent to stay with their parents' strange tutor, Dr. Ernest Drake. This turns out to be one of the very best summers of their lives because Dr. Drake is, they discover, a dragonologist. So, no sooner are Daniel and Beatrice deposited on Dr. Drake's doorstep than they are swept into a hunt for dragons and treasures.

Daniel tells this story as he and Beatrice are pulled into a magical, dangerous and wonderful world. Dr. Drake begins teaching them not only about dragons but about all the subjects that must be studied to develop a full knowledge of dragon lore. Beatrice, something of a skeptic at first, is soon won over when she meets the little dragon named Scorcher. Scorcher gives them the opportunity to see a dragon up close and to understand their strange ways. Before long, two other children, Alicia and Billy, join them. Between solving riddles, keeping an ongoing journal and a record book* the children become best friends and avid learners.

*The dragonological record book is without doubt the most useful tool of the scientific dragonologist. Keep a dragon diary, and one day it may keep you!
  -- Dr. Drake's Dragon Diary, August 1849

Their summer adventure brings them into the company of the evil Ignatius Crook --- a man who feels he is the true Dragon Master and who is bent on finding the famous, mystical jewel known as the Dragon's Eye. So, as they learn to fly on a real dragon, fight villains left and right and try to recover Dr. Drake's diary, Daniel and Beatrice live the adventures that most of us only dream about.

DRAGONOLOGY, THE DRAGONOLOGY HANDBOOK and DRAGONOLOGY TRACKING AND TAMING DRAGONS are all popular books authored by writer Dugald A. Steer and illustrator Douglas Carrel. THE DRAGON'S EYE is considered the beginning of a series --- related to these other books, but standing on its own as a work of fiction. Like the others, THE DRAGON'S EYE is a visually beautiful book with a brilliant red cover featuring a stunning gold dragon. Each chapter begins with artist Carrel's charming silhouette illustrations and quotes from Dr. Drake's diary, such as:

The wonderful world of dragonology is open to everyone --- even so-called scientists --- if they would only go out and look!
  -- Dr. Drake's Dragon Diary, August 1844

While THE DRAGON'S EYE might be geared for those 9 years old and up, it is likely to have appeal for all ages. Fantasy and dragon lovers will especially look forward to the next book in this wonderful series. As you wait for the next installment, be sure to check out the other Ology books so you can be ready to meet any dragons who might be lurking about.

   --- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts (stibbetts@maine207west.k12.il.us)

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