Lily McKinley lives in a waking nightmare of school bullies, her father’s recent passing, and her distant mourning mother. Then the dragon came to her house. Lily now confronts the choice to help guard the world of Somnium or return home. Kathryn Butler’s The Dragon and the Stone dreams a world of familiar yet new characters who protect the waking world from dreams that come true. With prosaic writing, the story wisely challenges older children about complex topics, like confrontations with bullies, while exploring grief and hope within a Christian worldview.

Best for: Middle-grade fans of epic fantasy (who may not be ready for The Hobbit or The Wingfeather Saga), readers who prefer overt Christian themes, fans of dragons and fantasy creatures

Discern: One parent dies, though before the story begins; other characters die as part of quest; prejudiced behavior based on races of mythological creature.