The Last Dragon House (The Last Dragon House #1)

Debut author Morris mixes tongue-in-cheek humor, subtle social commentary, and beguiling fantasy adventure vibes to present a thoughtful series opener. For his 11th birthday, Olly receives a hand-me-down jacket, a kite, pressed flowers, and a request from his parents that he get a job to support the family. Following instructions from a mysterious listing calling for someone “unafraid to die,” Olly finds himself at Dragon House, a refuge hidden from Oakridge denizens, who believe dragons imaginary. Eager to avoid employment at Oakridge’s silverware factory, which is notorious for its unsafe working conditions, Olly accepts a job offer from Dragon House’s wise proprietor Dr. Lady, who teaches him about polishing death wyrm scales and bonding with kitchen-dwelling fairy-dragons. The work proves peaceful until Dr. Lady is poisoned by an unknown rival. Her only hope for an antidote requires that Olly—accompanied by his new draconic friends—embark on a journey that will test his courage and compassion. Even as he contends with wealth inequality, the negative effects of societal progress, and other physical and moral dangers, Olly emanates unwavering kindness and empathy, imparting a positive energy to pulse-pounding plotting, which juxtaposes the coziness of Dragon House against the gritty realism of Oakridge’s industrial revolution. Olly cues as white; Dr. Lady has brown skin. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sarah Fisk, Tobias Literary. (May)