  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 11/01/2015 Gr 4–6—Twig just isn't like anyone else he knows. Despite being well-meaning, sensitive, and thoughtful, the little chipmunk can't seem to fulfill the expectations of his teachers or his community. On "the Hill," aptitude in crafts is the only acceptable route to prestige and a named place in the social hierarchy. Twig tries, but he'd rather read picture books and dream than practice his knots or brush up on his lousy welding skills. When a chance adventure ends in Twig and his best friend, Lily, assuming responsibility for a baby dragon, Twig's skills get a boost but his future becomes even more precarious. What does he truly want? Who does he want to be? In this sweet but slightly heavy-handed illustrated fable, Cole tackles large themes with a gentle tone. Failure, frustration, family, and friendship are at the heart of this sweet tale, and loyalty and camaraderie are the driving forces of the simple plot. The ending, which includes a surprising about-face from a secondary character, feels rushed but leaves the story pleasingly open-ended. VERDICT A good pick for proficient younger readers who prefer gentler themes.—Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 12/01/2015 Fantasies wrapped around the secret, almost human world of woodland animals are perennially churned out and eaten up by young readers. Throw another fantastical animal into the mix—a dragon—and there are sure to be plenty more kids who will buy in. Cole’s (A Nest for Celeste, 2010) charming animal tale centers around Twig, a young chipmunk who is not a traditional learner. School isn’t working for him, and he despairs he will never master a discipline and he fears he will be relegated to a lowly errand runner. What he does have a talent for, though, is adventure. He gets plenty when he finds a dragon’s egg that later hatches. He keeps the little guy, Char, a secret, and the dragon helps Twig with new metalworking assignments, giving him purpose. When Char is discovered and locked up as dangerous, Twig rallies his friends to help rescue the dragon and return it to its proper home. Adventures ensue and all ends hopefully, though a little abruptly, which surely means more to come. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. Loading...
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