The War of the Witches (Dragons in a Bag)
#5 of 5 in Dragons in a Bag Series
What’s inside...
The witches are ready to go to war, but Jax and his friends are still searching for a path to peace. In the epic series finale of Dragons in a Bag, friends and foes must unite to defeat the mighty Scourge before it drains all magic from the world. Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm. It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it's too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters' actions during the war of the witches?
How do you think the presence of dragons changed the story?
If you were a character in the book, which side would you choose to be on and why?
What lessons do you think the characters learned by the end of the book?
How do you feel about the way the story ended and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your favorite part of the book and ask your child about theirs. This not only sets a relaxed tone but encourages them to open up about their thoughts and impressions. Use open-ended questions from the provided list to guide the conversation, ensuring you listen actively to your child’s responses. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers. This helps in making the discussion a fun and insightful experience. Lastly, relate themes or situations from the book to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, which can help in deepening their understanding and connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Accountability
Explanation: In 'The War of the Witches,' the characters take on crucial tasks that require them to be responsible and accountable for their actions, which significantly affect their community.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and understanding how those actions impact others around them, valuable in both school settings and at home.
Example Lesson: The Value of Teamwork
Explanation: The young protagonists collaborate with dragons to achieve common goals, demonstrating how teamwork can bring diverse groups together to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work cooperatively in group settings, be it in projects, sports, or family activities, highlighting that collective effort can achieve great things.
Example Lesson: Courage in Adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face various challenges and adversities, showing courage and determination in overcoming them, which plays a central role in the plot's progression.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges with bravery and to understand that it's okay to be scared, as long as you don't let fear stop you from doing what's right.
Example Lesson: Understanding Diversity
Explanation: The interaction between human characters and magical creatures in the book showcases the beauty of a diverse world filled with many different beings, each contributing uniquely to the community.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate and celebrate differences in others, promoting inclusivity and respect in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the characters learn that every action has a consequence, and sometimes those consequences affect more than just themselves.
Real-World Application: This instructs children on the importance of thinking decisions through and being aware that their choices can have long-reaching effects on themselves and others.