About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a grandparent's declining health or asking deep questions about how family secrets and historical trauma shape the present. Set in an alternate 1960s Japan where tiny dragons are common but giant ones have vanished since the war, the story follows Kohei as he searches for a Great Ryū to heal his grieving grandfather. It is a masterful exploration of multigenerational pain, the weight of silence, and the resilient hope of a child. While it handles heavy themes of illness and the legacy of World War II, it remains a magical adventure that emphasizes family love and the courage to face the past. It is perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy but are ready for more nuanced, emotional storytelling.
