How to Train Your Dragon (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell

Rating: Needs Parent Supervision, I like it BUT some families may not

Reading Level: Late Elementary, Middle School

This is such a treasure of a book, if you don’t mind these possible concerns:

• Potty Humor. A few fart/poop/bare bottom jokes.
• Bullying. The bullying is severe, but it serves the story because the hero endures.
• Name-calling.
• Norse Mythology References. “By Thor!”, and “Thor is angry,” etc.

Before you dismiss it because of the above, please know that the biblical themes are insanely strong, and this book illustrates Gospel so well:

• A Humble, Godly Leader. An unlikey, seemingly weak young boy is the future king. (Think about David the shepherd chosen by Samuel the prophet when his older brothers seemed much more king-worthy: Man looks at outside appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.)
• The stone that was rejected has become the cornerstone. A humble, servant who is cast out by society ends up being the savior of the whole community.
• Love. Loving your enemies even if they don’t ever respond.
• Identity. Having faith in a prophecy about your value and worth even though it doesn’t appear to be coming true (and people are calling you useless).

Such beautiful themes!!!

These themes are so strong that I would have it on my bookshelf and just remember to talk to my kids about the inappropriate bullying and Norse mythology. In my opinion, the beautiful Gospel truths are well worth it.

Here are links to other books in the series that I have reviewed:

title	link	rating
How to Train Your Dragon Book 1	https://jesuslovesbookworms.com/2023/11/09/how-to-train-your-dragon-book-1-by-cressida-cowell/	I like it BUT some families may not, Needs Parent Supervision (Other Religious Practices/Cultures, Body humor)
How to Train Your Dragon Book 2: How to be a Pirate	https://jesuslovesbookworms.com/2023/11/13/how-to-be-a-pirate-how-to-train-your-dragon-book-2-by-cressida-cowell/	I like it BUT some families may not, Needs Parent Supervision (Other Religious Practices/Cultures, Body humor)
How To Train Your Dragon Book 3: How to Speak Dragonese	https://jesuslovesbookworms.com/2023/11/16/how-to-speak-dragonese-how-to-train-your-dragon-book-3-by-cressida-cowell/	I like it BUT some families may not, Needs Parent Supervision (Other Religious Practices/Cultures, Body humor)
How To Train Your Dragon Book 4: How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse	https://jesuslovesbookworms.com/2024/01/15/how-to-train-your-dragon-book-4-how-to-cheat-a-dragons-curse-by-cressida-cowell/	I like it BUT some families may not, Needs Parent Supervision (Other Religious Practices/Cultures, Body humor)