Flight of the Drakkonbarq by Sarah Giddy

Bat Brikson, the adopted son of Adeline and Joab of the Cattenveldt tribe is less than two centimetres tall, lives in Groundlands and wants to fly beyond the grass to the world above. 

Bat has never really fitted in; he looks different and he has different dreams to the other Groundlands residents. Bat wants to be high and join the Drakkonbarqs who ride dragon(flies), live in the treetops, and are feared by most of the people in Bat’s village. Then there are the Bittenklore, the other ground dwelling tribe who although are not the enemy they are essentially the ruling class of the Groundlands.

When Bat gets the chance to ride a moth and adventure into the world of the Drakkonbarq he is swept into a world he couldn’t even have imagined existed but there is danger here too and although he feels more at home in the trees he still must face his fears and find out who he really is. 

This is a magnificent book and one that needs to be read slowly and quietly to really understand the true wonder of the story.  Although ‘little people’ stories have been around for a long time, this adventure fantasy feels less like a fantasy and more like a discovery of a world within the human world.  I loved the worlds of Bat and his friends both old and new and the gentle tension that comes from finding new places and trying to fit in while also trying to find out who you really are.  This was one of those books that you can’t put down and need to read “just one more” chapter to find out how the story develops and ends. 

This would make a brilliant class novel or read aloud for upper Primary classes but would also be enjoyed as an independent read for readers who will take the time to really engage with the wonder and magic of this story.

Themes: Friendship, Family, Dragons, Fantasy, Adventure.

Mhairi Alcorn