Dragon Whisperer

By Marlow Miller

Description Format

Set out on a thrilling intergalactic odyssey with Garvin Polaris!

On the enchanting planet of Zoophus, Gavin will discover his unique ability to bond with dragons. Alongside his friend Hidi, Gavin will train with the dragons to find joy and splendor in his brave new world.

Yet, the wonde

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspired Ink LLC
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781962510226

Marlow Miller

I love children of all ages, and love reading to children. It is such a joy watching them grow, not only physically, but socially and mentally as well. I have worked many years with children and have loved every minute. I am always amazed how fast they learn, and I love being a part of that learning process. I have worked in the classroom and in many summer camps for kids and teens, helping them build confidence and self-esteem to conquer their tasks. I have kids of my own that I have encouraged to succeed and be independent, and have many young and teen nieces, nephews, cousins that I have mentored through the years. I have been told I am the best teacher, encourager, and confidence builder many times over. I love seeing everyone succeed, especially in their courage, certainty, and self-esteem.I love sailing, photography, hiking, camping, scuba diving, motorcycle riding, and spending time with family. If it involves water, outdoors or family, then chances are I love it. Marlow Miller

Book preview

Chapter 1: Arriving on Zoophus

Race you to the cafeteria! Garvin shouts with a laugh, bursting into a run around the corner. Behind him, Hidi blinks several times before she starts to run after him.

No fair—you have a head start! she calls out, moving as fast as she can.

They've been on the planet ship to Zoophus for a few days since after they left Planet Camp. Today, they should be arriving right after lunch. Garvin is so excited he can barely even think about food, but he knows he has to eat to keep up his energy.

Ha, knew I'd win, Garvin says as he makes it to the cafeteria a split second before Hidi. They're just in time for lunch. There's a huge buffet that has appeared on the long table at one end, where a line is starting to form. Aside from Hidi and Garvin, eight other kids were chosen for Zoophus at Planet Camp.

Both Garvin and Hidi know all of their names, but neither have spent a lot of time getting to know the others. Mostly, being on the planet ship, they've done a lot of training and learning, leaving very few chances to take a break.

There's one thing that they haven't been told yet. A secret that the adults have been closely guarding as a surprise for when they land on Zoophus. For now, all of the kids are tucking into their blue leaf salads and turtleneck sandwiches, blissfully unaware of the fantastic things that are truly awaiting them on their new planet.

Is there anything as good as this? Garvin tells Hidi through bites of his gobblefruit pudding. Nothing, that's the right answer. This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life.

Hidi chuckles and shakes her head at him. I don't think so. Blue leaf is so much better and healthier.

Garvin glares at her. Hidi's obsessed with healthy things. Fruits and vegetables and waking up early to exercise. He doesn't understand it, but he tries his best to be nice. After all, Hidi's a good friend of his now. Maybe even his best friend now that his twin, Finian, has been chosen for a different planet entirely.

Guys! Come look! One of the fastest-eating kids in the whole group, Elver, is standing in the archway that leads into the planet ship's longest hallway. His eyes are huge and glittering, like he's just seen something incredible.

He has, of course. The planet ship has started to descend toward the surface of Zoophus. Following Elver's shouts, Garvin, Hidi, and everyone else leave their lunches half-eaten and storm to the observation deck.

Standing in the huge glass dome, the kids stare out at the forest planet, still so far below them. It quickly fills their view, replacing the endless stars of space.

Whoa, Garvin breathes, pressing his face against the window as if that will get him closer to the trees. They start out tiny, specks weaving together like a tapestry. As the ship descends, the kids realize how massive these trees truly are.

Many of them shoot hundreds of feet into the sky like they're reaching for the three moons that orbit the planet. Some of them have leaves bigger than an adult, and some have thousands of tiny ones that swirl around their branches like fairies. The forest covers most of the ground, with only a few clearings and streams breaking it apart.

The children all stare in awe as birds fly expertly through the canopy, while other animals sit or climb through the trees, ignoring the massive planet ship floating gently down.

What's that? Garvin gasps, pointing at a lizard-like creature that zips past the window at high speed. He can't quite make it out, and neither can anyone else. It simply moves too fast.

Whatever it is, the children are quickly distracted by more glittering plants and wild colors that they've never seen before. As soon as the ship lands in one of the bigger clearings, the floor becoming heavy beneath them, everyone turns to run back to their rooms.

Garvin marches through the doors of his cabin, all of his things ready to be grabbed and dragged out into this new world.

All new colonists, please report to the disembarking bay with your belongings, an announcement rings out across all of the speakers. It's repeated two more times.

Garvin's heart is beating fast in his chest, barely containing his excitement. He's been waiting for this moment his whole life, ever since he first learned about Planet Camp. A small part of him is sad that Finian can't be here, but they've promised each other to send a holo-letter every day.

That's the first thing Garvin wants to do once he's settled into his new home on Zoophus. He wonders what Finian is seeing on Zephyr, the planet that he was chosen for. Garvin reminds himself that this way, they can experience two planets together rather than just one.

With a big breath and a wave, Garvin leaves his cabin and rushes with the other kids to the disembarking bay. There, the children are met by Kreim Krumbelle, their chaperone and the captain of the planet ship. His black hair is enormous and looks like a beehive on his head, and he wears the green, flowing clothes that are common on Zoophus.

I'm sure you're all itching to get on the ground, Kreim says when they've all arrived, clapping his hands together to get the children's attention. But a few rules are in order. Always, always follow the leadership of the trainers and the village you've been assigned to. Never venture off on your own. Make sure that you always ask before eating random plants, and don't swap around sleeping areas.

The children nod along while Kreim recites the rules that they've all heard a dozen times before on the ship. They're all only half-listening, their gazes locked onto the massive door that leads outside.

Finally, Kreim sighs and lifts an arm. Remain right where you are until the ramp is entirely lowered and disembark carefully, please. We don't need any injuries on the first day.

There's a huge creaking sound that suddenly rumbles through the ship, and the door begins to lower. With every inch of the world outside that becomes visible, the children's eyes grow bigger. The smell of fresh flowers and wild plants floats toward them on a slight breeze that grazes over their faces.

From here, the trees at the edge of the clearing look even bigger than from above. Their trunks are so