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The Lost Ryu

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( 420 ratings, 106 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Lost Ryu by Emi Watanabe Cohen is a heartfelt tale set in post-war Japan, where a young boy named Kohei longs to find a legendary giant dragon called a ryu. With the help of his new friend, Isolde, and driven by a desire to heal his family's past wounds, Kohei embarks on a journey blending magic, history, and the power of familial bonds. This children's book delicately weaves themes of friendship, courage, and the quest for understanding amidst the shadows of history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This enchanting tale weaves a tapestry of adventure and friendship, perfectly suited for young readers with a love for heartfelt stories and mythical creatures. Set against a backdrop of historical and cultural richness, it explores themes of family, courage, and the power of perseverance. If you delight in stories that spark the imagination and touch the heart, you may find this book a captivating read.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In this middle grade fantasy set in Japan, ten-year-old Kohei teams up with his new neighbour to search for the truth, both about Kohei's family history and the disappearance of the giant dragons that fought in the war.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Kohei Fujiwara has never seen a giant dragon in real life. The big ryū all disappeared from Japan after World War II, and twenty years later, they've become the stuff of legend. Their smaller cousins, who can fit in your palm, are all that remain. And Kohei loves his ryū, Yuharu, but he has a memory of the big ryū. He knows that's impossible. In his mind, he can see his grandpa - Ojiisan - gazing up at the big ryū with what looks like total and absolute wonder. When Kohei was little, he dreamed he'd go on a grand quest to bring the big ryū back, to get Ojiisan to smile again.

But now, Ojiisan is really, really sick. And Kohei is running out of time. Kohei needs to find the big ryū now, before it's too late. With the help of Isolde, his new half-Jewish, half-Japanese neighbour, and Isolde's Yiddish-speaking dragon, Cheshire, he thinks he can do it. Maybe.

From debut author Emi Watanabe Cohen comes a story of magic, a mysterious family legacy and the lengths to which we'll go to protect the people we love.

'An extraordinary book filled with dragons big and small.' Carole Wilkinson, multi-award-winning author of Dragonkeeper

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Lost Ryu by Emi Watanabe Cohen has been praised for its creative blend of fantasy and family dynamics, set in an alternate history where dragons were used in wartime. The book is noted for its emotional depth, exploring themes of coexistence, sacrifice and the power of hope, making it a stirring read for middle-grade audiences.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761180101

Publisher: A&U Children's

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 June 2022

Country: Australia

Imprint: A&U Children

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 187g

Pages: 208

About the Author

Emi Watanabe Cohen wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old - the most complete draft she can find clocks in at 234,780 words. That's over 1,000 pages! Thankfully, her editing skills have improved since then. Her more recent work involves Jewish and/or Japanese folklore, complicated families and a dash of improbable magic. She is a graduate of Brandeis University, where she studied Creative Writing. The Lost Ryu is her debut novel. www.emicohenwrites.com

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