Tundra Books 2010 188p 11.99
978-0-88776-967-2 elm/ms E-BNe
This fantasy is set in the turn of the century Russia and New York. The Kapustin children hatch a dragon egg, the family immigrates to New York in search of Mr. Kapustin who has disappeared. Call this a humorous historical fantasy. Poor Russian Jewish Kapustin family has been waiting five years for Papa to send the money for them to join him in New York. They have heard nothing, but still have hope. The boy Moshi trades with a peddler for what turns out to be a dragon egg. It hatches. In an incident with Cossacks, the family retrieves a money pouch which they use to sail to America. At Ellis Island their name becomes Kaputnik in a very funny way. Finding that Papa has disappeared, the family first learns to survive in New York (with a dragon) and then the children search for Papa. The dragon heats the stove on which Mrs. Kaputnik makes matso balls (hard as rocks) which are used as pool balls and for throwing to knock over a pile of cans. The children do accidentally find Papa, the dragon helps rescue him and all live happily ever after.
This is a funny, irreverent, look at life of immigrants at the turn of the century. Children will enjoy the crazy happenings. Theal, Joan
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