Eagle Book Club

The City of Dragons written by Laurence Yep was a touching story. We all have instances in our life where we have felt like we don't fit in or don't belong, and everyone can relate to that theme in this book. The story is about a boy with the saddest face in the world. He's not even given a name in the book, but just referred to as "the boy." He leaves his home when he feels as if his parents are being treated unfairly because of his sad face. He meets up with a caravan of giants who take him with them under the sea to the City of Dragons. There, his sad face proves invaluable when by his sad face, he causes the dragons to cry abundant amounts of pearls enabling the giants to make their money. He goes home a hero and all the people never tire of listening to his story of adventure, despite gazing upon his sad face.

I teach at a middle school and it is such a pivotal age for teenagers. Oftentimes, it's very hard to watch their struggles of trying to fit in, feeling like they don't fit in, and lowering their standards to feel like they're a part of something. This story really relates to what I've seen in my classroom when I see these kids trying to come into their own.

Books written by Laurence Yep:
The Serpent's Children
Mountain Light
Dragonwings
Dragon of the Lost Sea
Dragon War
The Case of the Goblin Pearls
City of Fire
City of Ice
The Tiger's Apprentice