I think the end point of the story does sort of wonder around a bit in the middle, but other than that I think it has a pleasant end. 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. There was a point in the book where I was bought to tears (the last book that did that was Marley and Me) It is packed full of adventure and one for the collectors shelf. Some beautiful imagery in the Galapagos Islands and I loved the sense of exploration and discovery in this section. This story has such vivid moments (which is down to the brilliant writing of Lindsay Galvin) such as the at the start where Darwin and Syms are laughing while riding giant tortoises, or when Syms has to shout Darwin’s name when they are in the storm.

My least favourite part was when Covington was taken back to England after being rescued by Charles Darwin. 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.Covington finds himself stranded on Narborough Island, a treacherous place with an impending volcanic eruption. And that’s what stays with you after you’ve read the great adventures and the thrilling encounters – the need to show kindness to all creatures. I loved the descriptions, the way the creatures were brought to life and how history was brought forwards to create this beautiful period of time where science was still coming forwards.

The little ink drawings used as chapter headings, the glorious cover, the lovely endpapers with bits from Origin of the Species and the simple map charting the Beagles’ voyage create a wonderful, textural quality, making this something quite special. 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. Soon, it's not only Covington's survival that hangs in the balance but how far will he go to keep these creatures safe? 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? Igazi nyári olvasmány, az a fajta kalandregény, amit ha gyerekként olvasod, akkor befalod a nyári szünet egy tikkadt meleg délutánján, lekváros kenyeret majszolva a nagyszüleid kertjében.She left part of her heart underwater after living and working in Thailand where she spent hundreds of blissful hours scuba diving.