Darwin's Dragons: a thrilling, rip-roaring adventure full of discovery and magic

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At first Fathering was just an intelligent lizard, (or is she?) but soon Fathering became much more! She became Stym’s friend; imagining their tight nit relationship grow over the course of the story was so magical and wonderful to read about. Lindsay Galvin's writing style is wonderful, drawing readers into Syms Covington's world from his early days as a cabin boy to his awe-inspiring survival journey. The language is vivid and evocative, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and perils of the Galapagos Islands. The novel delves into the importance of curiosity, scientific exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge and highlights the fragile balance of ecosystems and the need for responsible stewardship of our planet. You felt as if it was you making decisions about the dragons, willing the characters to make the correct decisions. This historical adventure is a fantastic read, drawing the reader into the action right from the start. Syms is resourceful and thoughtful and I was willing him to be successful.

Education Shed Ltd, Severn House, Severn Bridge, Riverside North, Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK, DY12 1AB After reading the synopsis, I knew immediately that I’d have to add it to my TBR list. This is not only a well-researched, thrilling historical adventure that takes the reader, quite literally, around the world, but it also tells the story of how Darwin came upon the theory of evolution. Darwin’s Dragons is a wonderful read. Crystal clear writing and a very clever concept. For indeed there was a cabin boy on Darwin’s journeys, with whom he formed a lifelong friendship. But there’s a documented gap in their correspondence, and this is a period in history that Lindsay Galvin has plumbed with her brilliant imagination to ask ‘what if’? What if the boy discovered something new, something so incredible, something he was so passionate about that it drove a wedge between him and the clinical-minded scientist? I don't want to give anything away but it just gets better and better the modern story progressed. I loved the Victorian history elements where I'm that time, we were on the verge of new discoveies. Syms’ life is saved by a lizard that he names Farthing – named after a shiny copper coin that he received as a reward for his fiddle playing, and Farthing becomes his saviour, friend and talisman. The teenager spends several terrifying days on the island before he is reunited with HMS Beagle and its crew.Eeleven-year-old Syms Covington is a fiddler, a cabin boy, and now assistant to Charles Darwin during his 1831 voyage on the HMS Beagle. There Syms becomes a keen observer describing his adventures with charm and humor. First of all I was drawn to this book by its great title, you immediately know this is going to involve great real historical people. Second, the cover is just stunningly beautiful and you can't wait to dive in and be swept away in time, science and adventure. It's a brilliant middle-grade read that I imagine will be enjoyed by everyone. Animals, adventure, daring and... well, DRAGONS. What more could you ask for?

During a voyage with Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Syms Covington is swept away. After making his way to an island, he must find a way to survive. However, he is not along on the island - there are creatures to contend with and an active volcano...If you like Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin you might also like: Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant, Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler, The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable, Travel locations and holiday destinations inspired by children’s books, and our list of recommended books for KS3.

A remarkable adventure story about the cabin boy Syms who falls overboard during a voyage with Charles Darwin. Syms comes across a small volcanic island where it appears that dragons might be real, thus making the discovery of a lifetime.Darwin’s Dragons would be a perfect book to read alongside a unit on evolution or study of Charles Darwin.

The plot was very daring and adventurous, as there is a beast that hovers over the island. There was also the mystery is to if Syms was the first person ever to have been stranded on the island, and if he will ever get rescued by the HMS Beagle. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure and the thrill of the unknown and uncertain. If you are a fan of Darwin or his work then this is the book for you! The only thing that nags me is what Lindsay Galvin will write next! Darwin’s Dragon was a roller coaster of a book to say the least. And I did cry. No, the book did not make me sob, but there were a few parts of the book that made me shed a few tears, and in my opinion that makes a good book. I think it’s hard to get people emotionally attached to characters, in a book specifically and to achieve that shows how well developed and fleshed out the characters really are. Is the book plot driven?… not really. It has a very interesting plot, but I think the focus is mainly on the characters, which isn’t a bad thing. The historical side of this story made all the difference when reading it. Set in 1835 the story then takes flight, using imagination to explore what could have happened! Which I felt was a nice balance throughout my read. Darwin’s Dragons is a marvellous tale that plunges the reader into Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle voyage and adds a young boy’s wonder, imagination and bravery into the historical mix. This is an excellent flight of fantasy; a fantasy firmly grounded in historical fact and geographical realism. The author tries to show how mistakes are often made by trying to do what is “best” to make things right in our own understanding but without all of the facts it can end up making things worse.

In the world of children’s literature, there seems to be an ever-growing market for books about dragons, and therefore it is lovely to see a take on dragons that brings them more into real life. Lindsay Galvin has thoroughly researched the real-life dragons and historical context of the story, and this makes this book stand out from other dragon-themed books. It would be a great book for those children that are slightly older and may have previously loved dragon books but wish to find something more mature. It also leaves plenty to think about, in terms of how the complex interrelationship between the humans and the animal kingdom, and about the ethics of dealing with creatures both familiar and unknown as humans go about exploring animal habitats. Farthing helps Syms escape the erupting volcano, the marauding sea lions, and the terrifying dragon. Along the way, he rescues the dragon’s eggs and shortly afterwards, he’s rescued himself by Darwin and the crew of the HMS Beagle. But that’s not the end of the story. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens.