Ben Brooks, The dragon on the Train, Hachette Children’s Books, June 2022, 288 pp., RRP $17.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760654931
After Elliot’s beloved grandma dies, he shuns music – the thing that bound them. But then he finds a strange ticket under his pillow and a dragon arrives in his bedroom insisting he has a train to catch.
Elliot is an unwilling adventurer but, of course, winds up following the dragon, Kimorin, on to The Night Train. Together they visit places in time, such as the Titanic, and meet people from history, including Mozart. At every juncture, Elliot must confront music – the thing he is trying to avoid. He learns how people throughout history have used music to bind them with others. Eventually, Elliot learns that by returning to and embracing music, he can hold on to his memories and celebrate his grandma.
Pitched at children 8-plus, this fantasy-adventure is a fast-paced story that will appeal to both reluctant and avid readers. It also focuses on grief of a grandparent which will be relatable for the target audience.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
