I had the pleasure of reading this book in December 2020. I loved the book so much that I elected to follow the series. I would say that is a definite win. 4/5

I enjoyed reading Dragons in a Bag, so I was looking forward to picking up where the story left off. Plus, this series has dragons, so the appeal is pretty obvious!

The Dragon Thief is a diverse adventure into magic, finding your place, and learning to do what is right, even if it’s hard.

I admit that this one lost me a big compared to the first one. I really enjoyed the magic and the adventure, but the whole plot was driven by miscommunication and adults not acting like adults, which is my least favorite trope. I don’t think children will be as put off by this as I am, though!

My Thoughts:

- There are some great themes in this about family and finding your place! I think this was my favorite part of the book, because it’s deep enough for older readers to really be able to sink their teeth into, but easily digestible for the young target audience. I think my favorite theme, though, was family! There was so much to dig into here, from the fact that family doesn’t always mean blood, to the fact that sometimes family messes up and may need to be forgiven. Or that despite everything, in the thick of things, family should be there for each other. I just really loved seeing all the different, complicated facets of family life brought up in this book!

- There’s a cast of very diverse characters, and I was surprised that I actually learned some things I didn’t know while reading this! That’s my favorite sort of book: the type that seamlessly tricks you into learning things when you’re not even paying attention. There were a few things brought up that I knew that I don’t think kids necessarily will, and I liked the way it was introduced. I particularly enjoyed the information about India, though, and the different origins of parts of the population. The book doesn’t delve so deep into this that it might start to feel like a history lesson, but it introduces just enough to pique one’s curiosity and interest, which I especially enjoy!

- I enjoyed the magic in the first book, but the magic was so much more exciting in this, and I loved the extra look at the magical world! I’m not even sure how much I can or should say about this part, because you really just need to read it and discover the magic yourself. There wasn’t so much a specific place in this book as more magical creatures, more discovery of the different things people can do with magic, and some interesting facts on how the magical world and our world coexist … or, in some cases, don’t. It just felt like the magic was built up so much more in this book, and I had fun with it.

Sticking Points:

- This entire plot never would’ve happened if adults acted like adults or any amount of communication happened in the first couple of chapters. This frustrated me so much right from the get-go that I found it hard to get into the plot after that. The story basically consists of two groups attempting to get the dragon back home: one consisting of two young boys and the other a little girl and her Aunty. You’d expect the adult to kind of act like an adult, right? But nope. Now, of course, this is aaaall from an adult reader’s perspective. I think this probably won’t be a problem for the target audience, who are much less likely to notice or care about this. For me, though, this was a big sticking point, because I just couldn’t see the point of the rest of the book when it could’ve been solved so easily in the first place.

- The adults really pile on Jaxon in this, and I was not a fan. This is another one that, again, I doubt children will recognize or even care about, but from my adult perspective, I did not love this. Mental health is important to me. Remember, Jaxon is a young kid who, in the first book, discovered magic existed and then a couple hours later was completely abandoned by all the adults in his life to somehow get the dragons back to the magic world. Despite having no directions. Despite only knowing magic existed for all of a few hours. Despite having absolutely no contacts. Obviously, he didn’t quite succeed, because this book exists, and the rest of the cast makes sure he knows it! Oh my gosh, I was so frustrated by how much these adults piled on Jaxon about how much he had failed them and everything was his fault. He’s a kid, dude.

What starts out as a rather tumultuous day for Jaxon and his mother turns into the greatest adventure of his life in Dragons in a Bag. Left alone with ‘Ma,’ a fictive relative who helped raise his mother, Jaxon is introduced to a world of magic that he never could have imagined existed alongside his Brooklyn neighborhood. Soon he’s accompanying Ma and an eclectic collection of characters (and talking animals) on travels through time and space and beyond.

Tasked with delivering a trio of newborn dragons to the magical realm, Jaxon has to rely on his friends as well as newfound family members he’s never met before — and some talking animals, too. It’s a thrilling read full of adventure, family secrets, and most importantly, magic. Unfortunately, things don’t go smoothly in Dragons in a Bag as you can surmise from the title of The Dragon Thief...

It seems like a great time to say SPOILER ALERT! if you haven’t read The Dragon Thief.

With one of the baby dragons now missing and “stolen” by Jaxon’s bestfriend Vikram’s younger sister, Kavita, he finds himself in a tough spot. He’s got to find the missing dragon who just keeps on growing and growing – a hard thing to hide in the city! Split between the perspective of Jaxon and Kavita, we see the two go on their own adventures assisted by those closest to them and new friends alike. It’s a fitting continuation of a very magical journey!

One of the things that really sets Dragons in a Bag and The Dragon Thief apart is the story’s emphasis on diversity both in it’s characters and their communities. Diversity in children’s fantasy is something that has remained rather lacking even with the increasing call for #OwnVoices and diverse stories. Author Zetta Elliott brings magic to the Brooklyn neighborhood she speaks so highly of in her acknowledgements and brings young readers – especially young readers of color – the kind of stories of Black magic and adventure that they deserve.

AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK TOUR POST. A REVIEW COPY WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEW.

What a fun fantasy story for middle-grade readers! I really enjoyed the 🐉dragon 😂. I haven’t read a ton of books with dragons in them, so I really liked this!

There are some great themes within the story that will resonate with many readers. Family is an important element throughout the story. I really enjoyed that the family we meet are close relatives as well as ones further along in the family tree. It’s nice to show that a family can consist of a variety of blood relatives as well as strong friends.

Overall, I thought this was a great middle-grade read! While I had not read the first book, I felt like there was enough backstory to cover what previously happened. I did enjoy this enough though, that I would recommend starting at book 1!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

"A week ago, a talking pigeon would have freaked me out. But over the past few days, I’ve encountered a very determined squirrel, actual dinosaurs, a talking rat, and three baby dragons. I’m learning to take it all in stride."

The Dragon Thief picks up right where Dragons in a Bag left off, with 9-year-old Brooklyn resident Jaxon searching the city for the missing dragon that he was supposed to return to the realm of magic in order to restore balance between our world and the world on the other side. The titular dragon thief is Kavita, little sister of Jaxon’s best friend Vik, who is doing her best to take care of the adorable magical creature she kinda-sorta-okay-definitely stole from Jaxon. Though we didn’t learn much about Kavita in the last book, alternating points of view between Jaxon and Kavita allow the reader to get to know her much better as a character. This narrative structure moves the plot forward briskly, keeping the reader inspired by the wonder of magic and eager to see what happens next. Just like the first book in the series, this entry is full of adventure, friendship, magical intrigue, and thoughtful sociopolitical commentary.

Author Zetta Elliott touches on some serious topics in a way that is both empathetic and matter-of-fact, facing hurtful issues with clarity and understanding. Kavita’s Aunty (who has some connection to the world of magic herself) belongs to the Siddi people, an Indian ethnic group descended from Africa. Aunty discusses colorism with Kavita as she talks about the different skin tones in their family and mentions a relative who uses bleaching cream. Aunty tells Kavita that her ancestors were slaves, and Kavita is shocked at the far-reaching history of the slave trade. Slavery is a subject that subtly permeates the whole story—just like in the first book, the magical elders imply that the reason for the imbalance in mystical energy between our world and the realm of magic is because of the physical and spiritual wreckage of colonialism and slavery. Though Kavita and Jaxon initially believe that returning the stolen dragon to the realm of magic will restore that balance, they soon learn that the problems run much deeper and are more complex than the fate of one small(ish) dragon.

Elliott also explores grief and how it interacts with the need to belong and to see yourself represented in the world. Jaxon’s dad died in a car accident (which Jaxon doesn’t think was all that accidental), and his yearning for that lost piece of himself is palpable in how tightly he clings to the family he finds through his magical adventures. Though we see slightly less of him in this story, with the points of view alternating between him and Kavita, Jaxon is still the same bright, sensitive, and brave boy that we met in Dragons in a Bag. It’s heartbreaking to see him struggle, but it’s an absolute joy to see him triumph.

Both Jaxon and Kavita provide a vital lens on themes of family, friendship, and forgiveness. They’re also just plain fun characters. The Dragon Thief has a lot to say on some serious subjects, but I don’t want you to leave this review without knowing how fun this book is. There are fairies, witches, talking animals, dragons with a taste for sweets, and magical portals to other worlds. It’s a quick read with plenty of surprises, and Elliott does a good job of catching up readers who may not have read the first book. Although the edition I read didn’t have the final art, I’m a big fan of Geneva B’s warm and playful illustrations, so I’m sure the interior art is just as charming as her beautiful cover. The Dragon Thief is a fun, hopeful book about believing in yourself, believing in magic, and facing the past so that you can work toward a better future. I hope that we have more adventures in the series to look forward to, because spending time with Jaxon and his friends is always magical.

I adore this series and love that we have it for our elementary readers. For those who love magical realism and fantasy stories, but need something more accessible, this is perfect. Zetta Elliott's books are ones I watch for.

This book wasn't for me, but I'm sure there is an audience out there for it who would enjoy its premise more than I did.

Really need to read the first book to get a sense of the characters and world-building. Otherwise, it's a mildly interesting story but hard to tell what it's about.

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.

earc from netgalley.

it was alright, but it wasn't anything special and it seems like it is a little younger middle grade book, but if someone likes a sweet, not overly scary dragon book, this would be one for you.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Second in the series. This book picks up shortly after the first ends. The baby dragon left in our world has grown and won't fit in the small enclosure any longer. Kavita ends up telling her Aunty the whole story from stealing the dragon to the opening chapters. They set off on an adventure to help the dragon return home. Meanwhile, Jaxon is searching for a new gate and the missing dragon. His friend Vic gets home and joins him along with a new friend, Kenny. The two storylines move through the book and connect in the last few chapters.
Told in alternating character POV's. Elliott creates a short sweet fantasy novel for middle grade readers. The descriptions of characters and settings paint a realistic view with fantasy elements. Younger readers will relate to the friendship complications and doubts. They'll also understand family relationships and dynamics.
Poignant scene when Jaxon finally walks on the street where his father was hit and killed.
NOTE: These need to be read in order to follow the entire story.

This second book in the series was just as sweet and adorable as the first one. The best part of this series is the diversity of the characters. The author also does a great job of weaving the different cultures of the main characters in to the narrative. This way kids are learning about these cultures and being entertained by the story as well.

We first met Kavita in book one, but she was a minor character. The younger sister of Vik, she comes into her own in this story. Kavita is a great character, very caring and likable. She has a nice relationship with Aunty, an elderly woman that has been a part of her family for a couple of generations. Kavita would have been totally lost without her help and it was nice to see that intergenerational bond. Aunty was pretty feisty which made for a nice contrast to some of the adult characters.

Jaxon and Vik are also part of the story. Jaxon is struggling to help Ma, the witch he is apprenticed too. He knows that he needs to break the spell she is under but he has no clue how, except that returning the dragon Kavita stole is part of it. His wandering the streets of a colorful Brooklyn seeking the magical animals that helped him in the first book, was nice to see. He also makes a new friend Kenny, who Jaxon and Vic always thought as a bully, but are proven wrong once they get to know him.

There are lots of helpful adults in this story which is alway a good thing in middle grade books. Sometimes I think authors get bogged down in making the adults the villains and forget to have positive adult role models. There is one adult in this book that is portrayed as the villain, but I am not sure he really is. Only time will tell.

So far I have not seen that there will be a third book in this series, and this one certainly had a satisfactory ending that kids will accept. But I certainly hope that this is not the last time we will see this group of kids and I look forward to their next adventure.

A perfect continuation.

Just as sweet and magical as the first book. Jax has to retrieve and return the missing dragon, but the portals are no longer working and something is wrong with the magic, causing Ma and all the other adults to be unable to assist him.

What I love about these books are its many colorful characters. Like Brooklyn, this book has a variety of people of different shades and colors, and shows how sometimes the oddest looking people can be the nicest and most helpful. Plus, I learned some fascinating tidbits of history that I'd never heard of before.

Jax, Kavita, and their friends and families were fun and great to meet. This book was a warm slice of pie from the colorfulest corners of Brooklyn. I highly recommend it. It's a fun and magical adventure.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of the first book in this series, Dragons In A Bag, will be excited to have this title but it would also appeal as a standalone book. The characters are well developed and the adventure begins at a good pace with a dragon growing by leaps and bounds, a grandma figure who knows her way around Queens, and a plot that resolves yet leaves room for another book. Elliott packs in cultural history along with examples of how friendships can be built, all well set in the magical realms of New York.

When I started this book, I didn't realize that it was the second in a series. I never read books out of order, but it explained why I felt like I was missing information. This is a relatively short middle grade fantasy novel that focuses on the theft of a baby dragon. I like that this book has themes of diversity, family, friendship, sacrifice, and so much more. I wouldn't say that this is the best book I've ever read, but I liked it enough to purchase the first in the series. I also really liked the layers that were packed into this story. I would recommend this to all middle grade readers.