George Goodwin, Dragon Slayer: A Scouting Legend (Order of the Dragon Slayer) by Candace Lee and Eric Newman

What worked:

This book is reminiscent of the movie, “The Goonies”? This book also has a group of local kids venturing underground, looking for hidden treasure. Thieves race to flee the abandoned mine taking diamonds that could be used to save the dying town. George’s main goal is to clear the disgraced memories of his father, since his dad was blamed for the deaths of other miners. The other kids follow him into the mine with thoughts of becoming rich, but they become trapped and must follow a map to get out. The tunnels are difficult and treacherous, and there are natural obstacles just waiting to bring tons of rocks falling onto the kids. Oh, there’s also a dragon looking for its next meal.

Readers can learn about West Virginia and the importance of coal mining to the people living there. The people are prideful, but they know the dangers of working in the mines. Many towns are abandoned when the coal runs out, and Big Mountain is slowly becoming the next casualty. The narrow tunnels are reinforced to offer support, and George wishes this mine had been lined with limestone to prevent the spread of fires. The kids learn that a blocked exit can mean death, since the only other way out is on the other side of the mountain.

The plot will certainly satisfy any readers with a need for action or fighting scenes. The dragon attacks are relentless, and readers discover it won’t stop searching for George until it kills him. Lulls in the action give a false impression that things are okay, only to have the dragon rear its terrifying face again. To complicate things further, thieves are roaming the tunnels, so readers can expect them to pop up. One of them is crazy enough to destroy the whole mountain, even if the kids are still inside the mine.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a Scottish man named Rowland who can see into the future. He adds humor and predictions of events to come, but his ability doesn’t immediately make sense. The book begins with a realistic tone, and the existence of a dragon is strange enough. The kids use scouting skills, but there’s no hint that some humans will have superpowers.

The final verdict:

This story is a flat-out action adventure, as George and his friends battle a dragon that is determined to kill them. I recommend you give this book a shot.