Book 3 in Elliott’s magical series is almost a bridge between the first two and the next one that will be much anticipated given the cliffhanger in this one. Jaxon and his mom go to Chicago for a witch’s conference to discuss the weird weather changes and the mishaps in magic. Jaxon is excluded from those discussions but is called to report on his responsibility and observations in events from the first two books and finds a way to stand up for himself, report honestly, and to take ownership of his part in the action. Elliott’s magical world-building is unique and there is no way that anyone could call it “derivative” or a misuse of magical tropes. Jaxon is growing older and readers who started with book 1 will enjoy watching his friendships grow and his sense of self mature. Text remains free of profanity and sexual content. Recommended for grades 4-6.

LOVE this series!! SO glad we're getting more and more to add to this younger chapter book collection. So important for our elementary libraries! And more Black kids in fantasy books at younger ages is what we need!

I really enjoyed the first 2 books, because the characters were engaging and relatable and the plot was interesting and action packed. I couldn’t finish this one. I only got about two thirds of the way through before I realized that I couldn’t find the story anymore. This book was somewhere between a fantasy story, a history textbook, a pamphlet on the author’s political agenda, and a strange ramble through a strange city. Half way through I couldn’t seem to remember which I was reading and didn’t really care anymore. I thought that the first books were great. They kept your interest and told you some history. This one was like slogging through mud. I will probably not continue with the series, but I hope Jax’s story ends well.

The Witch's Apprentice is the third book in the Dragons in a Bag trilogy. The book does a good job of wrapping up the series.

The series is not very complex, but is a good entry-point for my younger readers who want chapter books with dragons, but are not ready for some of the large fantasy books.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful extension of the Dragons in a Bag series. Elliott keeps unfolding more magical aspects of Jaxon's world and it is so much fun to go along on the ride.

The Witch's Apprentice returns to the story of Jax and Ma, who made a return towards the end of book 2 (The Dragon Thief). Jax, now Ma's full-time apprentice, finds himself frustrated by the limitations Ma puts on him and his relegation to mundane tasks like gathering plants. However, things appear to be taking a promising turn when he gets the opportunity to join Ma at a convention for witches and wizards in Chicago to decide whether Sis' actions in the first book merit punishment or not. To Jax's dismay, he is not allowed into the proceedings, but instead is relegated to exploring Chicago and learning about its Black history on a walking tour. This historical detail makes the story more explicitly Black than the previous two books which is welcome detail and perspective, but younger readers may lose interest without appropriate context. The addition of a magical secret adds an element of surprise, and the book ends on a cliff-hanger which will leave readers wanting more. Overall, a strong addition to the series

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy of this delightful book. This book had all the elements I love — magic, dragons, adventure, and friendship. The characters and their actions are very relatable to the middle-grade audience (ie acting before thinking and the consequences such actions cause). Based on a cliffhanger ending, we should keep our fingers crossed for another book. I believe that this book (and series) would appeal to a wide audience.

A nice continuation from book 1 with a "horrible" cliffhanger. I hope I don't have to wait too long to find out what happens.

This was a great book in the series! I loved the main character and the educational aspect.

Thanks to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the second installment in this excellent series centered around Jaxon, a 9yo from Brooklyn, who discovers there's magic in the world around him and he just may have powers too. He chooses to be an apprentice to "Ma" and heads to Chicago with her and other witches for a convention. Adventures ensue as he finds out the real purpose of the convention. Mystery, magic, and humor collide in this excellent fantasy series that weaves in deep themes like segregation, appreciating our differences, and belonging in an age-appropriate way.

The third book in the Dragons in a Bag series doesn’t know what it wants to be - travelogue, treatise on how important black history is, fantasy, coming of age story. I suppose it can be all these things but with a short book and a cliffhanger ending, it isn’t a very satisfying read.
The author did a good job of portraying Jax’s confusion about his role with relation to Ma, the trip to Chicago and who he could trust.
The phoenix is a cute addition.
The history of Chicago is educational.
As I finished the book and as I think about it now, I just don’t feel any sense of satisfaction and I wonder why I spent the time reading this book. I’m not the middle grade target audience, but I’ve read many middle grade books so I have some idea about what this age group likes. They will like the magical creatures. They may be interested in touring Chicago. But I would be surprised if this gains the following that some other middle grade fantasies have. In the name of equality it will get recognition by reviewing and award groups like the first book did, which is what brought the series to my attention. But I find the book a bit frustrating due to the cliffhanger. The story was finally making some progress and then it ends. In the acknowledgments the author says she didn’t know if the series would continue after book 2. Then she ends book 3 in a cliffhanger with no reassurance to the reader that book 4 will be published.
All of these things bring the book a 3 star review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

So this series is going on my to buy list for my kiddos.

It has magic, adventure, friendship and more.

Jaxon is an apprentice to the witch Ma. He's frustrated with how little he's actually learning, but it's so eager to be helpful. Ma finally takes him on a trip with her to Chicago to a witches convention, except he doesn't get to go to the actual convention.

He's confused about why he's there, but also distracted by the phoenix egg his friend Vik gave him that hatches suddenly, and trying to figure out who to trust.

This book ends on a cliffhanger just as Jax and his friends were about to set off on a mission.

Inclusion, diversity, and magic! A perfect addition to the series, I am just bummed it ends on another cliffhanger and I need to wait again to read what happens next.

Ever since the baby dragons were returned to the magical realm, things have been off. Witch’s apprentice, Jax is frustrated with Ma, his teacher. Instead of teaching him about magic, she only teaches him about plants. The New York summer has been unusually cold. A mysterious ash falls on New York City that causes strange sleeping sickness among the adults, right as Jax, Ma, and her coven go to a convention in Chicago. And Jaxon's friends Kenny and Kavita have begun to change, becoming more like the fairy and dragon they once cared for. On top of all that, Jax is hiding a phoenix egg that was entrusted to him! Jax wants to help his friends and learn how to hatch the phoenix, but so far, he hasn’t learned enough about magic to do so. Where can he find the strength--and the magic--he needs to save New York City? This third installment is a great addition to the series. Although the adults are annoying and uncommunicative, the characters are likable and easy to relate to. The plot is entertaining and contains a lot of new magical element that fans of the series will enjoy. Readers who like dragons, fantasy, and adventure will want to pick this one up. However, readers will need to read the first two books in the series first. 4.5 stars, Grades 3 to 6.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Books through the Fall Day of Dialogue.
Elliott does not disappoint with this third installment in the Dragon series. Jax feels frustrated and afraid that Ma is no longer interested in teaching him magic. He starts to doubt and question everything which makes him a prime candidate to listen when Blue reappears. He has to figure out who to trust and fails this portion because he doesn't take time to pause and reflect. Readers will appreciate and relate to acting before thinking and understand the issues that can cause. He stands up to Ma and offers his own opinion in the major gathering and falls into the trap set by Blue and others. Elliott offers a cliffhanger ending which readers already predicted from the rest of the story.
Looking forward to the next book.

I really enjoyed The Witch’s Apprentice, as well as earlier books in the series. The first book, Dragons in a Bag, is the younger readers’ selection for this year’s Global Read Aloud (October/November 2021), but I feel that these books can be read and enjoyed by a broad range of readers.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! The third book by Zetta Elliott in the Dragons in a Bag series did not disappoint! It has all the familiar characters and references back to previous events in the series, but this book can also stand on its own. The protagonist, Jax, travels with Ma to Chicago for a witch's convention. While there, he experiences several setbacks and some magical obstacles of his own. He learns a lot about friendship, resilience, and carving his own path.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own sense of style or identity. The diversity is a perfect reflection of big city life and I really appreciate that everyone is represented in this book.

As I read, I felt so much empathy for the characters and I think that readers will root for them as well. A great third book in the series, and I hope not the last!