Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Heritage, family, quest, dragons, magic.
Children’s book title: Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames.
Children’s authors: Jenny Moore.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Maverick Publishing/Sourcebooks Young Readers.
ISBN: 9781464254048.
Recommended for children aged: 8-13 year-olds.
First published: Hardback March 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: young fans of fantasy fiction with relatable main protagonists. Discussions could concentrate on found families, the stigma of being different, and the definition of bravery and heroism.
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Our review:
Emba Oak doesn’t know who her parents were, but she does know that Winnifred, the Wise Hermit of Witchingford Wood, affectionately known as Fred, is the closest she’ll ever get to having a proper mum, and she loves her unreservedly. Of course, there’s Odolf, who’s also an orphan, but he’s like a very annoying brother. Emba knows she isn’t like anyone else; after all, she knows no one who has scales all over their arms and legs and yellow eyes? She didn’t realise she could see things Fred and Odolf can’t until a dragon pays her a visit, resulting in her discovering she hadn’t been born but instead had hatched! Fred has kept her hidden ever since, surrounding her with spells and magical symbols to protect her from a necromancer who is desperate to gain immortality from her dragon blood!
When Fred disappears, leaving only a ransom note behind, Emba and Odolf know it’s up to them to find her and set off towards the castle where, they are sure, their friend is being held. Nothing about the quest is simple; however, from hunger to almost being eaten, they face dangers from the start, but Emba knows she has to save the most important person in her life because, without Fred, nothing matters anyway.
Our verdict:
Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames is an excellent read; the relationships explored are realistic and relevant to the storyline, especially between Emba and Odolf. Their conversations explore their relationship, their past, and the importance of Fred to both of them. They also encourage and chivvy each other along on their quest, and as they reach their goal, they both know neither can succeed without the other.
This book, which was previously released in October 2022 as Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows, is an easy read but has great depth. The relationships between the three main protagonists are the highlight of this book, and Emba and Odolf’s shared banter, personal revelations, future plans, and fears as they travel together work extremely well and present opportunities to discuss similar subjects in a whole class or group situation.
There were four books in the original Emba Oak series; the second, Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones, will be re-released in May 2026 as Dragon Girl and the Graveyard of Doom.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Emba has a leather pouch which she wears around her neck. How would you feel if you had to carry someone’s thickened toenail around for protection all the time? Would you have been able to hold it, as Odolf did towards the end of the story?
- The friendship between Emba and Odolf is explored in great detail during their quest. Were you more surprised by Odolf’s decision to leave Emba alone or his admission about the belt buckle?
- Emba faced discrimination because of her appearance, but not everyone seemed to notice. Do you think more changes will happen to Emba in future stories? If you suddenly started breathing
Many thanks to Maverick Publishing/Sourcebooks Young Readers for the review copy.
To order a class set of this book, please click below to order via Amazon.co.uk.
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