About the Book and Author
Twins Kitty and Harris Hawk have grown up at the airfield where their father works as an engineer. Kitty in particular is obsessed with the idea of becoming an aeronaut but her father thinks children should stay firmly on the ground. When the twins discover a strange and unusually large egg from which a dragon hatches, little do they imagine that this is the first step on a journey that will see them taking to the skies and competing in the first long-distance air race. Can they win the huge prize that’s at stake and will their daring adventure lead their father to change his mind about Kitty’s future?
Peter Bunzl started his career as an animator and film-maker. He is now best known as the award‑winning and bestselling children’s author of the Cogheart series. Peter’s debut novel, Cogheart, was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and the Carnegie Medal.
Lia Visarin was born in a small town in Transylvania, Romania, where she now lives with her husband and lots of house plants. She has a BA in traditional graphic arts, but she is a self taught children’s books illustrator. Lia takes inspiration from nature, old photographs and childhood memories.
Book Review
I liked the illustrations of Red because they really show the magnificence and power of the dragon
Dragon Racers is about a girl called Kitty Hawk and her brother Harris. Their dad works for Mr. Claude Grahame-White as the head (only) engineer of a soon to become flying school. Kitty dreams of becoming a pilot and flying a biplane. Unlike Kitty, Harris dreams of dragons! And would like one of his own, even though deep down he knows they are only mythical. But when they find a strange egg, Harris and Kitty’s dreams (literally) take flight.
When the children hear of the flying competition from their runway to Liverpool they instantly get excited; the mysterious egg starts to hatch and Red the Dragon comes out! Kitty has an idea but she’s not sure if it will work. She wants to fly Red! Even her dad cannot stop her from taking off. Kitty wonders whether proving to Claude that she can fly on a dragon will make him teach her to fly a biplane.
I liked the part when Kitty and Harris’s dad ran out to stop them from taking off on Red, but they did it anyway. It was funny and showed that Kitty was determined to do the race. I also liked when Kitty and Harris found the egg, because I love dragons and it felt good that Harris was proved right. This book is full of adventure, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day!
The illustrations by Lia Visirin were exceptional, especially the ones of Red. I liked the illustrations of Red because they really show the magnificence and power of the dragon.
I think the message of this book is: Wherever you are, whenever you are, you can always achieve your goal if you put your mind to it (and happen to find a dragon egg).
This book is a glorious read, and I am so glad I got to read it. This book gets a 10/10 from me!
If you would would like to buy a copy of the book we invite you to order it from your local independent book shop.
Or, you can shop on-line and support our Kids Reviews page by sourcing your discounted book via this link
Alternatively, we suggest that you visit your local library and request to borrow a copy from a friendly librarian.
Whichever you choose, we hope you enjoy being part of your unique reading community – happy reading everyone!
Reviewer Profile
- Name: Lyra
- Age: 10 years
- Likes: reading, drawing and writing
- Dislikes: being quiet and standing still
- Favourite Book: Anything by Robin Stevens
- Favourite Film: Nancy Drew
- Favourite Song: Look at What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift
