Ellray Jakes the Dragon Slayer!

March 1, 2015

Gr 1-4-EllRay Jakes is back, and this time he is ready to battle a dragon: the four-year-old bully who is making preschool miserable for EllRay's little sister, Alfie. Though he's only eight years old and the smallest kid in his class, EllRay steps in for his preoccupied parents to teach Alfie to stand up for herself. EllRay has some experience with being bullied, but sometimes his good intentions lead him to act like a bully himself. Along the way, EllRay learns a lot about why people sometimes act the way they do and how he can earn his father's respect. The references to bullies as dragons are amusing, as are other metaphors. The recording begins with instructions for page cues that do not exist and a reference to the illustrations. Corey Allen's reading is sometimes difficult to follow, as he breaks sentences, especially dialogue, into several parts and often emphasizing words in mid-sentence. He does change inflection slightly for each character, especially in conversations between EllRay and his father. Still, it is gratifying to read about a positive sibling relationship within a supportive African American family, and EllRay's and Alfie's situations can spark discussion about bullying for younger readers. VERDICT Recommended for series fans and those looking for stories about siblings.-MaryAnn Karre, Binghamton, NY

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