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

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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. A történet egy jólelkű hajósinasról szól, aki egy tengeri viharban elveszik és sikerül pont egy aktív vulkánnal és egy sárkánnyal rendelkező szigetre vetődnie… pech szériáját igyekszik jobbra fordítani, ahogy megél és túlél, közben egy sor gyerekfülnek és felnőttfülnek egyaránt megfontolandó üzenetet és értéket is képviselnek a kalandjai. Tetszett a történet is, meg a tanulságok is, a történelmi háttér is érdekes volt, főleg, hogy tudtam, az írónő kapcsolódik a természettudományokhoz és így Darwinhoz is.

Using 19th century language and attitudes, scientific observation and unbridled curiosity, Galvin makes this fictional event during a documented journey seem real.

This historical adventure is a fantastic read, drawing the reader into the action right from the start. Syms is resourceful and thoughtful and I was willing him to be successful.

Darwin’s Dragons would be a perfect book to read alongside a unit on evolution or study of Charles Darwin. The book felt a bit empty at times, like it was missing details. And it was a bit too dry and needed more humor. The only redeeming quality of this book was that it had dragons. There are so many other dragon books out there that have more established plots full of excitement, action, and are fast-paced, that this book wouldn't be my first choice. 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?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! Written from Syms’ perspective, this story begins with a life-and-soul adventure and ends with the evolution of his attitude towards the welfare of animals, and not just the incredible creatures he finds on Narborough Island. Tangled in the observations you’d expect from a trainee zoologist – the descriptions of behaviours and habitats, which is fascinating in itself – is Syms’ growing unease at how animals are studied. This is powerfully contrasted by certain characters in the story who wish to own, keep, dissect, and cage. It’s so cleverly done, too, the story first shining a light on the importance of discovery and understanding, then lighting a blazing torch for compassion. And that’s what stays with you after you’ve read the great adventures and the thrilling encounters – the need to show kindness to all creatures. Lindsay Galvin's writing style is wonderful, drawing readers into Syms Covington's world from his early days as a cabin boy to his awe-inspiring survival journey. The language is vivid and evocative, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and perils of the Galapagos Islands. The novel delves into the importance of curiosity, scientific exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge and highlights the fragile balance of ecosystems and the need for responsible stewardship of our planet.

The ending, set twenty-five years later will leave the reader with a satisfying feeling of wonder and belief. At first Fathering was just an intelligent lizard, (or is she?) but soon Fathering became much more! She became Stym’s friend; imagining their tight nit relationship grow over the course of the story was so magical and wonderful to read about. When Syms Covington, assistant to Charles Darwin, falls overboard in a storm around the Galapagos, he is washed ashore on an unexplored volcanic island. There he lays eyes on a species no one knows exists. Soon, it's not only Covington's survival that hangs in the balance but how far will he go to keep these creatures safe? 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?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.

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. I don't want to give anything away but it just gets better and better the modern story progressed. I loved the Victorian history elements where I'm that time, we were on the verge of new discoveies. During a voyage with Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Syms Covington is swept away. After making his way to an island, he must find a way to survive. However, he is not along on the island - there are creatures to contend with and an active volcano...

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! Exciting and original historical fiction charting the discoveries of a cabin boy aboard Charles Darwin's Beagle. Syms Covington finds himself stranded on an island in the middle of the Galapagos, separated from the crew of the Beagle with whom he had been travelling as a cabin boy before a storm hit. To make things worse, there is a huge beast threatening his survival on the island. Not just any huge beast - but a dragon. A fire-breathing, very real dragon. Syms will need to use everything he can think of to survive, as well as a little help from an unlikely friend. When she is not writing, she can be found reading, running or practicing yoga. She has a degree in English Language and Literature, is fascinated by psychology and the natural world, and teaches Science. Lindsay hadn’t written creatively since childhood until the idea for her debut novel The Secret Deepsplashed into her mind, and she now she’s hooked.

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