The Moonlight Dragon by Liz Flanagan – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: dragons, rescue, friendships, folklore, courage.
Children’s book title: The Moonlight Dragon.
Children’s author: Liz Flanagan.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Fox and Ink Books.
ISBN: 9781917894173.
Recommended for children aged: 8-12.
First published: Paperback October 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: younger readers who enjoy fantasy stories with dragons, legends, brave heroes, and a storyline with heart.
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Our review:
Luna knows the way to the standing stones with her eyes closed, which is just as well as she goes there every month on the night of the full moon, hoping her mother will return to her. It’s been two years since she disappeared and she still hasn’t come back.
With her father working as a healer for the Royal Family, Luna spends most of her time alone until, one full moon, having once again failed to find her mother, she watches in horror as a dragon streaks across in front of her as two members of the King’s Guard shoot it out of the sky! Realising she was protecting her nest, Luna begins a search, finally finding Spark, a baby dragon, hungry and alone.
As crops fail and more people converge on the city from the surrounding countryside as their water runs out, Luna finds she suddenly has new responsibilities. She is finally making friends and discovering she can converse with Spark, who is getting bigger and more inquisitive every day. Worryingly, the King is determined to wipe out all the dragons, and Luna struggles to keep her new companion a secret. When things reach dangerous new levels, Luna knows she and Spark need to persuade others that the legends are wrong because if the last dragons disappear, the kingdom will never thrive again.
Our verdict:
Luna and her father have lived in the King’s palace for two years, ever since they fled their old home as the water ran out. On their journey to the city, Luna’s mother disappeared and the little girl has been lonely and alone ever since. Her monthly journey to try and find her mother, the name-calling because of her origins, and the loneliness she feels colour everything she does. This is all described in a way that makes it easy to sympathise with Luna and want to see her life change for the better.
After finding the baby dragon, the atmosphere of the book goes from sad and resigned to happy and purposeful, and you can feel her joy at finally beginning to fit in, but unfortunately, this can’t last. Her friendships with the King’s son Prince Tobi and the librarian’s daughter Elodie help her decide what to do next, and the action is mixed with the information-checking they need to do to save Spark. But as a rebel group begins to publicise itself and the King’s determination to rid his kingdom of dragons increases, Luna knows she and Spark have to leave and, with a small group of friends and rebels, Luna’s bravery comes to the fore and the ending is one of hope for a far happier life for everyone.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- There is plenty of information in the news about people arriving in the UK in small boats. Luna’s family are also refugees, accepted into the palace because of her father’s reputation as an herbalist. What would have happened if he hadn’t had these skills to fall back on?
- Keeping any pet hidden is difficult. Is there anywhere in your school where you could hide a baby dragon?
- The three children work together to keep Spark safe. What different skills do they bring to make this happen?
- The rebels are determined to save the dragons as they will improve life for everyone, especially by eating the pests which decimate the harvest. What animals do we have which keep pest numbers low? Are they also in danger?
- Water rationing is very rare in this country but, with the increase in hot weather and record-breaking temperatures, how can we reduce the amount of water we use both individually and as a family unit?
Many thanks to Fox and Ink Books for the review copy.
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