Overview
A girl's awkward road trip with her dad and her mom's new boyfriend turns into to an epic quest to rescue a dragon from poachers in this ""fast-paced, exuberant, and genuine adventure"" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) perfect for fans of Fablehaven and Wilderlore. Aspiring rockstar Zadie Drake's world flipped upside-down the moment her mom started dating Lloyd Clutterbuck--a boring risk analyst with an aversion to all things fun. Since Lloyd moved in, he's made it his mission to drain every drop of joy from Zadie's life--putting strict limits on her guitar sessions, nitpicking her every move, and filling the house with his utter dullness. Naturally, when Zadie's daredevil park ranger dad invites Zadie and her older sister to spend the summer at his cabin, Zadie can hardly contain her excitement. But Zadie's joy is short-lived when her mom announces that Lloyd will be tagging along. Soon after arriving at the cabin, Zadie begins to suspect that there's more to her dad's job than meets the eye. Her suspicions are confirmed when family secrets make an explosive entrance in the form of a fire-wielding poacher who kidnaps her dad's best friend--an enormous, ice-breathing dragon. The revelations launch Zadie and her family into a cross-country rescue mission of epic proportions. As tensions spike, tempers flare, and the family's differences become glaringly obvious, Zadie realizes her family's most daunting challenge might not be rescuing the dragon but working together.
Full Product Details
Author: Joan Reardon
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Imprint: Aladdin Paperbacks
Dimensions:
Width: 14.70cm
, Height: 3.30cm
, Length: 21.10cm
Weight: 0.431kg
ISBN: 9781665963367
ISBN 10: 1665963360
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 03 June 2025
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
""With chapter titles that make up a classic rock playlist, this middle grade novel starts up and doesn't stop. Amidst the action, Zadie embarks on a journey of discovery about her family, herself, and her guitar, that leaves ample room for further epic magical adventures.""--School Library Journal ""5/1/25"" ""Zadie's arc of self-discovery as she examines her relationships with her father and Lloyd provide a heartfelt counterpoint to the joyfully chaotic premise. It's a fast-paced, exuberant, and genuine adventure by Reardon, set to a high-energy soundtrack: each chapter opener features a relevant song title.""--Publisher's Weekly, STARRED REVIEW ""4/7/2025"" In a thematic mashup that seldom pauses for breath, Reardon stirs rock dreams, parent issues, and (magical!) animal trafficking into a road trip that's highlighted by life-changing family revelations. A headlong, cranked-up romp--with dragons! --Kirkus Reviews ""4/15/25""
Author Information
Joan Reardon is an author and attorney from Youngstown, Ohio. Joan holds a BA in history from The Ohio State University and earned her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Her love for Midwestern history and folklore inspired her debut novel The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters. She's also the author of Dad Rock Dragon Quest. When she's not writing, Joan enjoys going on adventures with her wonderful husband, Ben, and spending time with her incredibly large, incredibly loving family.
