Dragons in a Bag

Jaxon is trying to be brave and helpful for his mother, who’s having a really bad day. Their landlord is trying to evict them, she has to be in court, and an old lady that Jaxon’s never met, who is supposedly his grandma, makes his momma beg. It’s not a great beginning, but Ma finally lets Jaxon in. It’s not quite the visit Jax was expecting: Ma is NOT his grandmother, a mysterious box is moving itself around, and the squirrel knocking on the window would like to have a word.Actually the squirrel would like Jax to feed whatever is in the box. Ma is a witch, dragon babies imprint on whoever feeds them, and sugar is not a good idea for dragon food. When Ma, impressed by Jax’s knowledge, love of books, and his desire to learn, recruits him to help her take the dragons to the world where they’ll be safe, things get complicated. He’s about to meet family he never knew he had, dragons his friend’s little sister should not have let out of the box, and some very hungry predators.Dragons in a Bag is a fun adventure story with a lot of good life lessons about the meaning of family, and the value friendship, bravery, perseverance, and more. There are also conversations starters for conservationism, environmentalism, imagination, open-mindedness, and forgiveness.Quite a fun romp. Highly recommended for children who love adventure, mysteries, magic, and mayhem. I hope this is a start to a series!I received this book as a digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher through NetGalley. My

If you or someone you know is over eight-years-old, you need a copy of Zetta Elliott’s urban fantasy Dragons in a Bag!Dragons in a Bag introduces readers to Jaxon, a sweet and smart young boy with brown skin and unruly eyebrows. Jaxon’s father passed away and he lives alone with his mother who is estranged from her family. At the start of the book, the mother-son duo struggle to make ends meet and their landlord is trying to evict them. When Jaxon’s mother goes to court to fight the eviction, she drops her son off at the home of a woman she calls Ma. Jaxon reasonably assumes the surly woman is his grandmother, but family isn’t that straight forward in Dragons in a Bag – neither is anything else!Jaxon and Ma get off to a rough start, but his warm personality and keen intelligence soon win her over. The two spend their day sharing a fantastic fast-paced adventure, and Jaxon learns a lot about family, himself, and MAGIC!As it turns out, Ma is a witch and she is hosting dragons in her bag (hence the title). Ma and Jaxon travel through a gentrifying Brooklyn as well as more fantastical places in an attempt to safely deliver the dragons to their magical destination. Along the way, readers are introduced to many intriguing characters and ideas.Jaxon’s emotional maturity and self-awareness of his race and class position will prompt young readers to consider the affects of stereotypes. For instance, Jaxon is a geography wiz and when this surprises Ma he reflects: “People never expect a kid like me to know anything about anything. I’m used to it, but it still bothers me sometimes” (9). This, along with the author’s sustained engagement with social and economic issues affecting lower-income urban black and brown populations will engage older readers and help prompt meaningful classroom and/or family discussions.I am a huge fan of books that treat kids with dignity and respect, and Dragons in a Bag does this beautifully. It also provides readers with ways of thinking about the many forms family and community can take. All the characters work together and support each other creating a complex web of care.This book will make a wonderful addition to personal and classroom libraries. I recommend it for readers between 8 and 12, although, older readers, like myself, will surely delight in it too!Sequel, please!!Learn more about the author.

A fascinating read for kids! The story is very creative and keeps you hooked from the start. My child loved it!

Dragons in a Bag is an urban fantasy that mixes adventure, magic, and important life lessons, making it an engaging read for children aged 8 to 12. The story revolves around Jaxon, a young boy living in Brooklyn, who unexpectedly finds himself thrust into a magical world when his mom leaves him with Ma, an old family friend who turns out to be a witch. Jaxon’s mission is simple: help Ma deliver baby dragons to another realm before they cause any trouble in our world. But, as with any good adventure, things don’t go as planned.Zetta Elliott weaves a charming narrative that blends the mundane with the magical. The city of Brooklyn becomes a backdrop for mystical happenings, making it feel like magic could be lurking just around the corner. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, perfect for younger readers just starting to explore fantasy.One of the strengths of Dragons in a Bag is its diverse cast of characters, which provides representation often lacking in children's fantasy literature. Jaxon is a relatable and curious protagonist who makes mistakes but learns from them, teaching young readers about responsibility, friendship, and courage.The pacing of the story is well-suited to its target age group, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers engaged. The book also touches on family dynamics and cultural heritage in subtle ways, adding depth to the fast-paced plot.Overall, although I'm not a fan of dragon stories, Dragons in a Bag is an enchanting read for children, especially those who love magic, dragons, and thrilling adventures. Its themes of kindness, bravery, and the importance of family make it a wholesome and heartwarming story.

Ok I actually got this book for my little cousin for school. But I actually ended up reading it my self lol and I love it. Great book. I think it's a good book for children, would definitely help them with there comprehension skills too.

I read this book for the first time to two of my 4th grade special education students and it was the best experience ever. The kids were so into it and so was I. I made sure to stop each day in a suspenseful part and made myself NOT read it ahead so I could be surprised along with my students. Great story.I will read it again this year.

I bought this book to read with small groups,3rd and 4th grade, and the kids loved it!! Easy to follow and understand. Fun to do predictions with. I really enjoyed the relationships the characters had with each other. We can't wait to read the set now!

Jaxon gets dropped off at a strange women's apt that his mom calls 'Ma'. This is the start of great adventures into Jaxon's family and a magical world he never knew about. Jax is a great character and his voice is clear, especially when he is in doubt. This happens a lot as he tries to understand this new magical world he didn't know he was a part of. Zetta Elliot has added a host of fun oddball characters that make you laugh and want to read more. Raising a dragon or three...what could possibly go wrong?

Such a wonderful story, with beautiful illustrations, great characters, dragons, and magic. What more could you want? I’m off to buy the next book now.

As a Canadian elementary teacher, I always strive to use Canadian authors within my classroom. This isn't always easy to accomplish. However, not only is this author from Ajax, Ontario, but she has written a story that engages boys and uses culturally diverse main characters - something most young children are not used to seeing. I am reading it to my Grade 2 class right now and they are LOVING it! I have already bought the second book, The Dragon Thief, and they are eagerly awaiting the moment I finish Dragons in a Bag so that we can start the next book.

Students really enjoyed the book!

This book has been selected as part of a Global Read Aloud. First few chapters develop the characters and explore themes of diversity, family and understanding.

We're only a few chapters in and we're hooked. The writing is so great and the story is so compelling. My kiddos very easily convince me to read an extra chapter with this one *blush*