This is a Guided Reading Level N, DRA equivalent 30. It is on level for the beginning to middle of third grade. It is the first book in the My Father’s Dragon trilogy.
Book 1: My Father’s Dragon
Book 2: Elmer and the Dragon
Book 3: The Dragons of Blueland
Elmer Elevator is set to run away from home, on the advice of a stray cat he decides to head to Wild Island where he is sure to find a baby dragon much in need of rescuing. Of course, he’ll have to pass all manner of wild and dangerous beasts in order to get to the dragon. In each case, Elmer comes up with terribly clever solutions and distractions to keep himself safe and en route to his goal.
My Father’s Dragon is utterly charming and fun. It should entertain little ones and adults alike.
Verdict: Despite including many pictures and being a rather slim volume, there’s substance here. That could work either way for you. At times it’s a bit more complex than I’d recommend for little children, but some are ready for it. The chapters are short and welcoming and the story itself is so much fun, I’d say give it a try and see what happens.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – “ding blast it,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Elmer’s mother whips him. The dragon gets beaten if he complains too much. Tigers threaten to eat Elmer. Monkey’s grandmother died (this is not something that will particularly alarm readers as they haven’t met Monkey). A rhino drowns everyone who uses his weeping pool. A lion also threatens to eat Elmer. A gorilla twists Elmer’s arms.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – When a fisherman is asked about Wild Island he begins to shake with fear and says that people who’ve gone have never returned and it is presumed that they were eaten by animals.
