Author: Cressida Cowell
Illustrator: Cressida Cowell
Little, Brown and Company published this book in 2003
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Age range: 9-14 Suggested reading level: easier chapter-book readers
If you liked this, try: Narnia, Percy Jackson, Little House in the Big Woods
The first book in the “How To Train Your Dragon” series is a uplifting tale about a young Viking, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, who, in the start, is known as a runt, nerd, weakling, and, most of all, NOT VIKING-LIKE. This is not at all what you would expect from the son of Stoic, the chief. He and other kids his age (12) are enrolled in Viking training, and their first assignment is to get a dragon. His not-quite Viking friend, Fishlegs, forgets to get a dragon, and Hiccup gives him his dragon and goes back and gets another for himself. Later, as he takes his dragon out of his dragon basket, he finds an abnormally small dragon. He later names him “Toothless” because Toothless has retractable teeth. Hiccup must train Toothless to obey simple commands, such as “stay”, “sit”, and potty training. Hiccup finds that that is A LOT harder said then done. But Toothless is a VERY stubborn dragon. Along the way, Hiccup talks with his dragon in a language all dragons speak, DRAGONESE. Finally, they establish a mutual (if not grudging) respect for one another. During a Viking celebration, a VERY large dragon is blown on a beach not far away from the gathering. A rumor is spread that Hiccup can talk to dragons, and he is sent to talk to the gigantic beast. He finds out that the dragon plans to eat the Vikings and devises a plan along with the other young Vikings-In-Training. The creature swallows Hiccup, and it is up to Toothless to save him. The tiny dragon succeeds, but also manages to fatally harm himself in the process. Stoic, not knowing what else to do, sends Toothless on a funeral boat. Hiccup finds out Toothless was only in a healing coma, and saves him. And that is the First book of the How To Train Your Dragon series!!! Thank You!!!
I loved it when Hiccup was swallowed by the giant dragon because it was very descriptive. The positive message that positively radiated out of the book; “BE YOURSELF AND NEVER GIVE UP!” I liked the book because it really encourages readers to be true to yourself and it is SO descriptive.
I rate it 9 out of 10WRITTEN BY: AN, 7/11/2014
