Middle-Grade Review: Monsters of Fife: Sea Dragons (Jane Yolen)

In 1890s Anstruther, Scotland, Cat Douglas is excited to be a member of the Royal and Ancient monster hunters squad, which is lead by the teacher of her one room schoolhouse, Mr. Harris. This is especially important to her, since her father was lost at sea. Along with Callum and Jamie, she is prepared to drop everything and go take care of monsters that endanger the local population. The trio is well armed, and even paid for their efforts, which helps out Cat’s family a lot. When a farmer has his cow eaten, the hunters find the culprit in a cave, lure him out, kill him, and haul the body off to be used as bait for a menacing sea dragon. When Ann McLeod loses her sons at sea, this creature is to blame. The local culture supports the “no body, no closure” philosophy, so the Royal and Ancient members set out to both find the boys and hopefully take care of the dragon as well. They borrow the McLeod’s boat and take off, but are soon dragged out to sea. Ending up at an island, they come across a young dragon choking on a fishing net, which makes it easier to kill him. Having done so, they worry that the dragon’s mother might be lurking in the caves on the island. Investigating this leads them to find the McLeod boys, who are alive but not well. They also discover a number of dragon eggs that they smash. In the ensuing battle with the dragon, old family secrets are revealed and Cat proves herself a valuable member of the monster hunters.