This book was received as an ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group - Versify in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story was such a refresher to read that it reminded me of the movies from my childhood and the stories my grandmother used to read to me about dragons and choices similar to the one Anya had to make in this story. I could not stop reading and wanted to know more just from reading the first page. Anya's family is at stake when they are invaded by a magistrate and the family of fools makes a deal with her to capture a mean old scary dragon in exchange for money to save her family. She is on a quest to get this dragon but develops a relationship with the dragon and finds out what the real motive is behind all of this and has a friendship with the dragon forcing Anya to make a choice between the dragon and her family. This adaptation has a twist that is nothing like the stories I have heard from my grandma which made me love it more. I know our young readers will love this story and I can't wait to share it with them.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

The summary of this book provided all the makings of an amazing read, but I just felt it was average. There were great nods to Jewish culture that don't usually get spotlighted in graphic novels or novels in general but other details of the plot were seen-em-before types that weren't twisted enough to be a new or unique take on them. This was another in a long line of comics that weren't terrible but weren't that pleasing either.

This debut middle grade novel by Sophia Pasternack is one you won’t want to miss and a great additional to school libraries and classroom libraries. It will spark imaginations.

From the start, Pasternack builds a fantasy world that is filled with struggles and challenges. Anya is the main character and war and magic have torn apart her family. The story is set in the 10th century in Eastern Europe, things get even harder for Anya's family when they are forced to pay a debt or leave their home.

Anya sees an opportunity to help her family that could result in a lot of money. All she has to do is help her friend and his family capture a dragon. It seems simple enough, but as Anya embarks on his journey, she begins to see that choices are not always as clear and simple.

Pasternack does a great job of weaving humor into his serious story making this book a fun and exciting reading experience. You have a goat, a dragon, and a spunky, spirited young girl.

My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced reading copy!

Anya and the Dragon, by Sofia Pasternack, is the tale of the lone Jewish family living near Kiev. Magic has been banned but her blind Babushka still uses it to prepare potions for the village children who are ill. Then a man comes to the village seeking a dragon, Anya must decide whether she helps with th3 dragon hunt.

This debut middle grade novel by Sophia Pasternack is one you won’t want to miss.

With references to magic and a war that has torn the main character's family apart, Pasternack immediately establishes a fantasy world where life is far from easy. Set in the 10th century in Eastern Europe, things get even harder for Anya's family when, thanks to an act of bigotry, an arbitrary debt is thrust on them. They must pay it or leave their home.

When Anya is offered a way to help her family, she's in. All she has to do is help her new friend Ivan and his family capture a dragon. In exchange, Anya will receive lots of money. However, as she follows this path, she begins to see that choices are not always as clear or as simple as you might initially think. I loved this!

I also loved how, despite the serious nature of the issues confronting Anya, there is lots of humour. Between the family of Ivan’s, the adorable dragon and a goat with personality plus, it was fun, funny, and just an overall enjoyable reading experience.

My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced reading copy!

A feel-good and action-packed story with a wonderful mashup of magic, mythical creatures, heritage, and folklores. A fun read for middle graders!

E ARC provided by Netgalley



Anya's family is struggling in a small village in a Medieval, Slavic area. Her father has been conscripted, and the local magistrate claims that the family haven't payed taxes (from which they thought they were exempt) and so owe 500 rubles or their property will be seized. Ivan and his family of fools move to town in search of a dragon and offer Anya money to help find one after she saves a local religious leader from being choked by a violent dragon hunter, Sigurd, by beaning Sigurd with a horseshoe! She takes the job even though she doesn't hate dragons, or, indeed, know much a bout them. Ivan's family is also unusual in that they openly use magic. Anya's grandmother and mother have mild forms of magic at their command, but they are very careful about using it lest they be arrested. Anya reads some of Ivan's books and thinks that his take on magical creatures is wrong; he doesn't even understand their house spirit, who is certainly not evil. When Anya finds Håkon, a dragon, she is concerned that Ivan will turn him over to his father, but he doesn't. Some information about various members of their community comes to light, and of course, Sigurd comes after Håkon. Anya and Ivan are involved in this epic battle, but will they be able to save their friend?
Strengths: I really enjoyed the Jewish culture in this book, and the depiction of how Anya and her family are treated because they are "foreigners". The grandmother is a great character, and I liked the scenes with Anya and her goat and making challah. Dragon books have been hot in my library because of Sutherland's Wings of Fire, so the cover will appeal to those readers. The friendship with Ivan is a good one, and his realization that perhaps magical creatures are not all evil, despite what his father says, is a good one for young readers to see.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more set up of Anya's world; the use of Russian and Serbian words puts it in a particular area, but doesn't specify, and I wasn't sure it was a Medieval setting until a note in the back. It could easily have been set in the 1800s (with dragons). Also, I've seen a lot of books that have the basic premise of magic being illegal but people wanting to use it anyway, and of the population being unsure whether dragons are good or evil.
What I really think: I will have to see how many fans of dragon books I have this year; the ending of this book leaves it open to be a series. Also, I wish the cover had been a silhouette of Anya in her head scarf (which is described in the book) instead of her with a Barbie-style ponytail.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The fantasy story is enriched and deepened by the thoughtful use of culture and religion. Pasternack has written a fast-paced, engaging story filled with honor and touching moments. My only recommendation would be a glossary if terms at the end as l students will enjoy learning new vocabulary.

This contemporary novel feels authentically ancient. The Jewish side of my family emigrated from Russia, so I felt as if I were given a missing piece of ancestral folklore back. I enjoyed the sprinkling of Russian words throughout the story, and they were easy to understand in context.

The female protagonist and male sidekick will allow readers of any gender to relate to this book. I appreciated how Pasternack avoided any cliched romantic subplot between the two. The plot was unexpected and anti-formulaic, and I enjoyed the message that you shouldn't judge creatures based on what other people tell you about them. An important message in this day and age.

Marketing criticism: I think the cover is gorgeous, however, I think there is a disconnect between the contemporary cover and the interior art, which resembles woodblock printing. The strength of the book lies in the unearthed antiquity feel of it--I can't remember when I last read a contemporary novel that lived so fully and beautifully in times of old--but the blurb and the cover do nothing to inform the reader of the voice and tone of this book.

Full of wit, warmth, and adventure, this heartwarming fantasy is a must read!

What I loved 🖤🖤🖤:
1. Anya is only 13, but she’s strong and fearless. She’ll do anything to save her family.
2. Ivan comes from an entire family of Ivan’s (so many charming scenes) and is a smart and loyal friend. His family moves to town to capture the dragon for the Tsar.
3. The family dynamics. Babulya (grandma) with her forbidden magic and Dyedka (grandpa) with his animal magic. Her hardworking mama and her father who is away to fight for the Tsar.
4. The fantasy creatures! From their house spirit, domovoi, to the rusalka, to the scary dragon.
5. Anya is Jewish and I loved learning more about her culture. She’s mistreated in the village because of her religion and I think it’s important for children and adults to read about prejudice (and hopefully be more tolerant).

I can’t wait to read more of Anya’s adventures!

Great take on Russian Mythology and LOVeD the dragon and Ivan. Great world building a story development. will definitiely appeal to middle grade readers.