The family suffers financial problems since Dad was killed, and everyone is having trouble coming to terms with their grief... especially Danny.  They are forced to leave their ranch in Montana and go to Denver, where Mom will be able to find a job.  Danny's sister stays with her best friend's family in Montana, but Danny is compelled to  attend a Denver public school.  One of Danny's classmates is an "enemy;" a boy from Iraq, who also lost his father in that war-torn country.

Janet Muirhead Hill is a master at plotting and characterization.  This skillfully written novel for young readers shows how a ten-year-old boy and his sister and mother deal with the grief of losing their father and husband. Danny's interaction with the boys at school shows how heartless and cruel children can be and how Danny's own life is strengthened when he defends and befriends another boy who is also suffering a great loss. Danny's Dragon  is an important addition to any library, but it would be a great boon to any child suffering from grief and help them to realize that there is hope for a happy future. The illustrations by Pat Lehmkuhl are superb and add visual impact to the story.