A Dragon's Guide to Making Your Human Smarter

Gr 4-6--In this second book in the series about a grand dragon and her human "pet," Miss Drake sends Winnie to Spriggs Academy, where the students are a mixture of regular kids, known as "naturals," and "magicals," kids ranging from young enchanters to werewolves to centaurs. Faculty members include a witch, a bird lady, and Sir Isaac Newton. Familiar school-based plot elements of bullies, class excursions, and talent shows take on new twists with magical elements thrown in. There's also a fun blend of magic and modern technology: Miss Drake the dragon is a frequent user of text messaging. Along with the school antics, Winnie faces other challenges: she must reveal the secret world of magic to her oblivious mother and survive a kidnapping plot by her evil grandpa. The girl handles everything just fine, with determination, curiosity, and a kind heart, along with occasional use of handy magical objects. While Winnie's triumphs neatly demonstrate that personal qualities are as valuable as natural-born magic, her easy success feels rather anticlimactic. She charms her greedy, power-hungry grandfather, as well as the school bully, with offers of friendship, and her mother's acceptance of the world of magic occurs with even less drama. Winnie's straightforward narration alternates with passages from Miss Drake, whose wry tone adds light humor to the story. An appealing black-and-white drawing opens each chapter. VERDICT A solid choice for readers new to fantasy and those who like gentle adventures with a touch of humor.--Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR