Dragons in a Bag

Dragons in a Bag is the first installment of Zetta Elliott’s middle grade urban fantasy series of the same name. The 2018 novel introduces nine-year-old Jaxon and Ma, an elderly witch tasked with delivering three dragon hatchlings to a magical realm. This mission is compromised when Kavita, the younger sister of Jaxon’s best friend, takes one of the dragons. The second book, The Dragon Thief (2019), is narrated by Kavita. While she attempts to keep the baby dragon a secret, Jaxon searches for the missing hatchling and tries to restore balance between his world and the magical realm. The first book closes with Jaxon resolving to become Ma’s official helper, and he begins his formal magical training with her in the third book, The Witch’s Apprentice (2022).

One of the major themes of the Dragons in a Bag books is The Journey Toward Responsibility and Personal Growth. As the series progresses, Jaxon takes on increasing responsibilities, supporting Ma in her work, contending with supernatural tricksters, protecting his city from mysterious illnesses, and looking after a variety of magical creatures. He gains another duty in the fourth book, The Enchanted Bridge (2023), by serving as his world’s ambassador to the magical realm.