Darwin's Dragons: a thrilling, rip-roaring adventure full of discovery and magic

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In the world of children’s literature, there seems to be an ever-growing market for books about dragons, and therefore it is lovely to see a take on dragons that brings them more into real life. Lindsay Galvin has thoroughly researched the real-life dragons and historical context of the story, and this makes this book stand out from other dragon-themed books. It would be a great book for those children that are slightly older and may have previously loved dragon books but wish to find something more mature. It also leaves plenty to think about, in terms of how the complex interrelationship between the humans and the animal kingdom, and about the ethics of dealing with creatures both familiar and unknown as humans go about exploring animal habitats.

My 11 year old’s class is reading this one so I’ve been told I must read it too so we can discuss it! (She gets more like her mama everyday!) After reading the synopsis, I knew immediately that I’d have to add it to my TBR list. This is not only a well-researched, thrilling historical adventure that takes the reader, quite literally, around the world, but it also tells the story of how Darwin came upon the theory of evolution. If you like Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin you might also like: Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant, Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler, The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable, Travel locations and holiday destinations inspired by children’s books, and our list of recommended books for KS3. The ending, set twenty-five years later will leave the reader with a satisfying feeling of wonder and belief. The Galapagos, Dragons, Charles Darwin, Dragons, Castaway, Dragons, Active erupting volcano... DRAGONS! Did I mention the really amazing dragons? Also, before I forget: Draaaaaagons!Darwin’s Dragons is a wonderful read. Crystal clear writing and a very clever concept. For indeed there was a cabin boy on Darwin’s journeys, with whom he formed a lifelong friendship. But there’s a documented gap in their correspondence, and this is a period in history that Lindsay Galvin has plumbed with her brilliant imagination to ask ‘what if’? What if the boy discovered something new, something so incredible, something he was so passionate about that it drove a wedge between him and the clinical-minded scientist? Darwin’s Dragons would be a perfect book to read alongside a unit on evolution or study of Charles Darwin.

Sárkányokkal engem olyannyira meg lehet venni, hogy még ezt az ifjúsági regényt is beszereztem egy óvatlan pillanatomban. Igazi nyári olvasmány, az a fajta kalandregény, amit ha gyerekként olvasod, akkor befalod a nyári szünet egy tikkadt meleg délutánján, lekváros kenyeret majszolva a nagyszüleid kertjében. Felnőttként is jó szórakozás volt, a nyelvezete persze nagyon egyszerű, de ezt nincs értelme felrónom neki, mert érezhetően az olvasni már tudó könyvmoly palántáknak lett kitalálva a nyelvezet, a szellős sorok, nagy betűk és a fejezetek hosszúsága is. As I was reading this, it was difficult not to see glimpses of ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo and should definitely be added to the TBR pile of those who enjoyed Morpurgo’s take on finding yourself on a deserted island. Syms is a wonderful character full of grit and as a reader, you are able to gain a real insight into the motivations of the character and his inner battles. Children will really love following his story and will understand some of the trials and tribulations he is faced with. Eeleven-year-old Syms Covington is a fiddler, a cabin boy, and now assistant to Charles Darwin during his 1831 voyage on the HMS Beagle. There Syms becomes a keen observer describing his adventures with charm and humor. The Galapagos Islands landscape is drawn as a rough but remarkable jewel with its stark terrain and abundant wildlife, and the characters are great. We have the brave but sympathetic Syms, with his companions, Scratch the violin and Farthing the lizard, and the kind but firm Charles Darwin, who is generous yet so intensely focussed on his work that he is quite immovable. Other personalities muscle into this story too - some quite special - but I won't give it away. Just know that there are conflicts and friendships and that you'll love every one of them.

It’s probably one of the reason why I just couldn’t put this book down, I didn’t want to do anything else until I could say the characters, I had come to love and adore, where out of harms reach! With short chapters and being split into parts makes Darwin’s Dragons a great choice for a class text as it is easy to fit into the very busy timetable within the primary school classroom, but also allows readers with less stamina to still access a longer text. There are also so many ways this book could be used to support wider learning, including the evolution topic in Year 6 science, or using it to inspire geography or history learning. Education Shed Ltd, Severn House, Severn Bridge, Riverside North, Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK, DY12 1AB Darwin’s Dragons is a marvellous tale that plunges the reader into Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle voyage and adds a young boy’s wonder, imagination and bravery into the historical mix. This is an excellent flight of fantasy; a fantasy firmly grounded in historical fact and geographical realism. Galvin has paid great attention to the natural and historical details without any compromise to the pace and story. The realistic approach to the dragons is a beautiful believable choice, especially with the Galapagos setting and the uniqueness of its native wildlife.

First of all I was drawn to this book by its great title, you immediately know this is going to involve great real historical people. Second, the cover is just stunningly beautiful and you can't wait to dive in and be swept away in time, science and adventure. Exciting and original historical fiction charting the discoveries of a cabin boy aboard Charles Darwin's Beagle. How often do we assume one thing and it turns out to be something totally different? A boy, who ends up stranded on an island after a storm, finds a new species of animals that are unlike any he has ever encountered. Some are very dangerous and quite fierce, but others are friendly and selfless. The question is does he eliminate the dangerous ones or do they maintain balance on the island?I found the plot very exciting as I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next. Additionally, I would say the part of the story that most stood out to me was where Farthing was trying to help the servant survive on his island and saved him from death. To add to that, I found it interesting how the mother dragon was trying to kill him even though he was saving the eggs and Farthing from the lava. I would recommend Darwin’s Dragon to everyone as I could barely stop reading it. Furthermore, I would highly recommend this book as it is full of adventure and just drags you in on the first few words. Darwin’s Dragon was a roller coaster of a book to say the least. And I did cry. No, the book did not make me sob, but there were a few parts of the book that made me shed a few tears, and in my opinion that makes a good book. I think it’s hard to get people emotionally attached to characters, in a book specifically and to achieve that shows how well developed and fleshed out the characters really are. Is the book plot driven?… not really. It has a very interesting plot, but I think the focus is mainly on the characters, which isn’t a bad thing.

The plot was very daring and adventurous, as there is a beast that hovers over the island. There was also the mystery is to if Syms was the first person ever to have been stranded on the island, and if he will ever get rescued by the HMS Beagle. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure and the thrill of the unknown and uncertain. If you are a fan of Darwin or his work then this is the book for you! The only thing that nags me is what Lindsay Galvin will write next!Cue Darwin's Dragons, a stunning middle grade novel, where these mythical creatures are woven into the fabric of real historical fact. This is a history and a science lesson with an extraordinary magical twist- where imagination takes flight in the form of golden, fire-breathing creatures and where the reader can walk in the footprints of one of the most famous scientists ever known. This tale is a rich tapestry of storytelling. It sews fact and fiction together in a seamlessly written plot that involves volcanic eruptions, dragon's eggs, a fiddle and Queen Victoria. Covington and Darwin are strong and likeable characters with an interesting master/servant dynamic but, for me, it is the lizard, Farthing, that steals the show in terms of character. Sharply intelligent, lively and adorable, she is definitely the teacher of this lesson- allowing the reader and Covington to uncover surprise after surprise and to discover more and more about this magical species. The relationships between Syms and Darwin and his fellow shipmates are well handled and the bond forged between the boy and Farthing is convincing and at times moving. Young readers will appreciate the powerful emotions at work here. The story storms along at a great pace and Lindsay Galvin’s attention to historical and geographical detail gives the fantasy a realistic dimension. As the author tells us, ‘This planet was once home to magnificent dinosaurs, so why not dragons?’