The Broken Dragon

LoveReading4Kids Says

Karen McCombie is a favourite with readers for her warm, real-world stories, peopled by characters who become their friends.

Tyra is a typical McCombie protagonist, and we feel we know her from the very first page. She’s in a charity shop with her nan, excited about the treasures they are discovering there and dressed in her signature bright colours and mismatched clothes.

Tyra has just moved in with Nan and is about to start a new school. Though she doesn’t admit it outright, she’s apprehensive about this and, again, without it needing to be said, readers will understand that those like Tyra can find it hard to fit in and may sometime end up without friends.

That doesn’t happen here, thanks to Tyra’s kind, wise teacher, an accident and a repair, using the Japanese art of kintsugi. This lovely story packs excitement, insight, drama and resolution into its short extent and will delight readers.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About The Broken Dragon

Tyra gets off to a tough start at her new school. She's loud and different and nobody seems to be particularly friendly. So when her nan gives her a beautiful china snow dragon, Tyra's decides to take it to school, hoping that people will think it's interesting and talk to her.

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