THE BROTHERS DRAGON

In Baker’s middle-grade debut, two young brothers discover their half-dragon heritage and defend their new home from attack.

During the Blitz of 1940, 11-year-old Luke and his bespectacled 7-year-old brother, Nick, are evacuated from London and sent to Land’s End, their uncle’s manor house at the westernmost point of England. The boys are given one clear rule to follow: They must stay out of the woods near the house. Naturally, they disobey; within the woods they discover a passageway that magically transports them to Draksmore, the magical island where their father grew up. Here they meet Baltis, an uncle they knew nothing about, as well as their Aunt Larsa and 12-year-old cousin, Finn. More startlingly, they learn that they are descended from a line of half-dragons. Once Luke turns 12 (in three days’ time), he can swear the Oath of the Brothers Dragon and unlock his ability to transform—but first he must conquer his greatest fear. Luke’s greatest fear is that something terrible might happen to his brother—a concern that is manifested when the Draksmorians’ longtime enemies, the piratical Moordocks, kidnap Nick, seeking dragon blood with which to effect their own transformations. Can Luke rescue Nick and, with him, save the island? The author relates Luke's and Nick’s stories through assured prose and age-appropriate dialogue. The boys both make for relatable protagonists—Luke is more active and headstrong, prone to getting himself into trouble, while Nick is reticent yet brave when he needs to be (“Luke’s two loves were swimming and games, especially riddles. Nick, who was four years younger, loved reading”). The adult characters are memorable and varied without being too over-the-top, but the relative lack of female characters feels like a missed opportunity. The world of Draksmore is instantly appealing with its magical history, dragon transformations, and endless opportunities for adventure. While at times the characters’ motivations can feel contrived, for the most part the story unfolds naturally. Once the threat is revealed, events roll along with an urgency that will have young readers clawing at the pages.

Fast, fun, and fiery—a rousing coming-of-age fantasy.