Book Review: Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

Title: Owen and the Dragon


Written by: Carla Mooney

Illustrated by: Colin Thomson

Paperback: 72 pages

Publisher: Soto Publishing Company / May 2010

ISBN: 978-0-9821711-7-2

Price: $6.99

Ages: 8 and up

Determined not to accept his new home in a new town, 10-year-old Owen refuses to unpack his belongings, a typical response for many young children who leave their familiar surroundings and friends behind. Some may though enjoy the new adventure presented to them. To top it off his new neighbor is a girl of all things and Owen dismisses Izzy from the onset.

The lure of the massive woods behind his new home creates just the right diversion. Packing a lunch Owen sets off. What he thinks will be a typical hike in the woods becomes so much more as he continues his trek deeper into the woods. Taking a much needed rest at the top of the hillside, Owen hears the unmistakable sound of someone or something snoring. Curiosity gets the best of him and Owen finds himself at the entrance of a cave. What he finds in there is unbelievable to him, even though he is seeing it with his own eyes.

“Curled up in the darkest corner of the cave, an animal he’d never seen before snored. Owen slowly shone his flashlight back and forth across the creature. It was covered in green and gold scales. Two enormous wings were folded across its body and a long tail lay curled on the ground. A dragon!”

Shocked beyond belief, Owens gains the trust of the dragon Phineas through their conversations and learns Phineas has lost his ability to fly, which can only be restored through a lost magic locket. Can Owen find the locket in time to help Phineas get back to his family? For time is running out for Phineas with the approaching of the fortieth sun cycle. To accomplish his task at hand, Owen needs to look deep within and become more accepting of others. Can he and will he do so in time?

The magical adventures of Owen and Phineas in the quest to reunite Phineas with his family will leave the reader feeling anything is possible. Visit Carla Mooney at: http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=cmooney