Kindred Dragons (Book 1) - by Sarah Mensinga

Book Synopsis

Anne of Green Gables meets How to Train Your Dragon in Kindred Dragons, a cozy and heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel about a brave young girl and the dragon whose life depends on her

Alice has been unhappy ever since her parents sent her to Prince Edward Island to live with her strict grandmother. Alice is fanciful, prone to telling tall tales, and absolutely OBSESSED with dragons! Fairies deliver dragon eggs to a select few, known as Kindreds, but no egg has ever arrived for Alice.

While wandering the woods alone, she finds and secretly befriends a mysterious old dragon named Brim. Alice is excited to finally have a dragon friend of her own, but when Brim suddenly falls ill, Alice must set out on a desperate quest to save him.

As Alice searches for a cure, she discovers that her connection to dragons is unlike that of any Kindred--but will her new power be enough to save her friend?

Let your imagination take flight in this heartfelt story of friendship, family, and learning to love who you are!

Review Quotes

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Headstrong, vulnerable, compassionate, and endlessly full of stories, Alice is a luminous, relatable heroine...Mensinga spins a gentle fantasy threaded with big feelings--grief and wonder, betrayal and belonging...A tale of rule-breaking, reconciliation, and rousing, rapturous dragon rides--this one will sweep you up in its glorious wings."

-- "Booklist"

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Her illustrations are a joy; muted pastel drawings invoke both the quiet beauty of rural life and the lyrical elegance of dragons at rest and in flight. Middle-grade readers seeking meaning and adventure will appreciate Alice's steadfast commitment to defending and caring for these majestic beasts...At once tender and bold, a thoughtful, lovely fantasy."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Dynamic paneling imparts a cinematic atmosphere; soft line art and sprightly color palettes render evocative landscapes; and detailed character design subtly complements the graphic novel's emotionally resonant themes of identity, family, and courage. The story's relationships...are layered and, combined with grounded fantasy elements, result in a relatable, human story of loss, maturity, and self-discovery--a solid first entry to a promising new series"-- "Publishers Weekly"

"The pacing and character development is excellent, and the jewel-tone illustrations are warm and inviting. Fans of the original will recognize the familiar beats but with a magical twist. Readers new to the story will easily be immersed in this work because of the subtle and nuanced worldbuilding...A sweet way to introduce "Anne" books to newbies and a dragon fantasy for fans and potential converts."-- "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Sarah Mensinga has illustrated several books, including Flipping Forward Twisting Backwards, the Trillium Sisters series, and the New York Times bestseller Different: A Great Thing to Be! Her short stories have appeared in comic anthologies such as Flight 4 and Flight 5, she's published two indie novels, and she has also worked on a variety of animated movies and TV shows. Born in Canada, Sarah now lives in Texas with her husband and three kids.