Reviews

A Friend For Dragon by Dav Pilkey

tophat8855's review against another edition

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3.0

I can't tell if I liked it or not. It's sad and there's death and mourning of loss. I'm split between saying it's too sad for a children's book and applauding the author for tackling this sort of subject in a "safe" way in our fear-of-death culture. Is my indecision about this book because I've been told all my life that death is too complicated to talk about or something else?

Simple story, easy to understand. It's a picture book set up in "chapters" so a new reader will feel good about finishing it.

annabannana's review against another edition

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guided reading level J

mandyjedi's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

ivyinthepages's review against another edition

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5.0

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

allmadhere106's review against another edition

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1.0

Dragon wants a friend but no one will be friends with him, so a snake tricks him into thinking that a fallen apple can talk and wants to be his friend. The whole book is built on making fun of Dragon's innocent/gullibility. Dragon truly thinks the apple is his friend, which makes it even more traumatizing when SOMEONE EATS THE APPLE--LEAVING THE CORE--AND DRAGON BURIES IT COMPLETE WITH TOMBSTONE. Super dark and sad, especially since everyone is so mean to Dragon. And saying that the whole thing is meant as a joke just reinforces making fun of Dragon and bullying. Not cool.

For: older readers who can have a conversation about the content.

Possible red flags: loneliness; bullying/practical jokes; thievery/murder; death and burial.

bookpotato's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

achaean's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

3.5

libbydmccarthy's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book! So cute and funny, but also addresses death, amazingly. A good book to read with kids if you need to broach the topic gently

undertowsoul's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

thedizzyreader's review against another edition

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3.0

Wow! What a weird, surprising mix of humor and melancholy. Dragon is lonely until he encounters apple. At first Dragon thinks apple is just a great listener and great sharer, but his new friend's continued silence concerns Dragon enough to schedule a doctor appointment. When his apple meets an untimely end at the doctor's office, Dragon buries his friend in the backyard. Things seem pretty grim until spring rolls around.