Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas is a children's fantasy novel by Beth Christopherson. It's been three years since her brother Seth passed away, and eleven-year-old Sophia still finds it difficult to move on. Upon a visit to a nursery, Sophia unexpectedly finds herself in possession of a green dragon-eye charm -- one of the six powerful gems with love as its essence. Soon, a couple from Vidagreen seek Sophia's help to stop the parasitic Buhkranks, who already possess the orange dragon-eye charm of determination. Sophia begins training with the elves, groundlings, and fairies, slowly mastering her ability to channel the green dragon-eye charm. However, time is running out, and the Buhkranks are planning a full-scale invasion of human spaces. Will the humans accept the green gem's essence? Can Sophia and her allies prevail?

Wondrous and imaginative, Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas is a thrilling fantasy adventure young readers will love to read. Whether it's portals to other-worldly lands or a host of different magical creatures, this book features so many fantastical elements, and it's a treat for lovers of the genre. Beth Christopherson's worldbuilding is simply phenomenal. There is fantastical lore, magic, and mystery permeating every page of this book. The cast of characters is large, but the author ensures every single named character has a distinct personality and traits that make an impression on the reader. Sophia is a kind-hearted child that young readers will find easy to root for. I enjoyed every single character, but Sophia, Dolosine, and Rufus were three of my favorites. There is also a sequel that I'm looking forward to reading. Recommended to preteen and young adult fantasy readers alike!

Moving to a new home can be difficult for anyone, but for a twelve-year-old, it’s almost unbearable. For one thing, she had to leave her friends behind. But in Beth Christopherson’s Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms, Sophia is about to meet some friends many can only dream about: fairies, elves, and all kinds of magical creatures. You see, love is being challenged by evil forces and if Sophia doesn’t learn how to use the magic within her heart, the love she once had for her younger brother who died three years ago, then humans may be on the brink of disaster. When she’s given the dragon-eye charm by someone she’s only just met, she doesn’t realize how much it’ll demand of her. Is she up for the challenge?

Beth Christopherson’s middle-grade novel, Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas, is a fantasy adventure that will captivate young audiences to the very end. The author has included a detailed map at the beginning to help readers navigate through the story and some interesting illustrations scattered throughout, all with the intent of adding another dimension to the story. The descriptive narrative is thorough and sets the scene; the characters are well-developed; and the plot moves forward at a fair clip to keep young readers engaged and entertained. Like the epic adventures of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series, this book has the charm and energy that intertwines magic with reality, creating a plot that’s really a journey of self-discovery and revelation. A great read for any age.

Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas by Beth Christopherson is a children’s fantasy novel that tells the story of Sophia, a girl who sets off on a journey of healing and bravery following the tragic death of her brother Seth. Sophia's family moves to a new town, and while observing her neighbor's oak tree with her cat, Rufus, she stumbles upon an intriguing discovery. She gets drawn into a magical world where she must safeguard the dragon-eye charms from the sinister Buhkranks, who threaten humanity. Along the way, she receives training in various skills from creatures in the magical land of Lorendunine. Sophia learns to harness the power of the green dragon-eye charm, representing love, to combat the encroaching darkness. She acquires a fairy's body, healing abilities, and special communication skills. Despite her doubts and fears, Sophia chooses to collaborate with her new friends and embrace her newfound strengths.

Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas is an engaging story that not only entertains readers but also imparts valuable lessons. It delves into themes of friendship, courage, teamwork, forgiveness, and healing. Throughout her journey, Sophia discovers that love and resilience can conquer darkness, enabling her to honor her brother’s memory while shaping her destiny. The book takes readers on an incredible adventure, introducing them to fascinating creatures and places. The colorful illustrations accompanying the story bring this enchanting world to life beautifully, bursting with color, both in the art and the book's detailed designs. Sophia is an endearing character that many children will find inspiring. Her personal growth and determination to overcome challenges will resonate with young readers, motivating them to embrace their strengths. I particularly enjoyed the ending, which hints at new adventures and lessons. Overall, this book is a delightful and empowering read for children, blending fantasy with heartfelt themes that promote resilience and healing.

Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms: The Secret of Okaas by Beth Christopherson is a charming children’s book with adventure, fantasy, bravery, and love. Sophia has grieved the loss of her brother since his death three years ago, but from her pain has come great compassion. While her grief is painful, it has cultivated powerful magic in her that may save a group of dragons and nature spirits known as the Vidagreen that come to her for help. The surge in power allows her to make a discovery about herself which she’ll need as the Buhranks - dangerous shadow creatures - have concocted a deadly plan. The Vidagreen have been attacked and their dragon-eye charms have been picked off with the most recent one taken enabling the creatures to enter human homes. Sophia has a great weapon to use against them: love. And with the green dragon-eye charm, this ability is enhanced. Channeling her new power is easier said than done when unleashing it forces her to make a decision that could be even riskier.

The story has a rich emotional depth explored through genuine feelings of grief and Sophia’s ability to cope with the loss of her brother. This makes her a character that children can relate to and can be used to understand their grief or loss, whether it’s over a death or a friend moving away. Beth Christopherson cleverly weaves this serious undertone throughout Sophia’s fantastical journey. The outlets for her grief include her family, helping others, compassion, and love which are healthy examples for children, especially in a character they can relate to. The story's heart is real and leaves an impact regardless of age as you root for Sophia to succeed. The magical characters are delightful and often humorous. Children will instantly fall in love with them and will be drawn into the fairy world. This is a great introduction for children to the genre of fantasy and adventure with illustrations and writing that suit a range of ages. The evil Buhkrank are fantastic antagonists and feel like metaphors representing negative emotions. The illustrations are stunning and pair well with the magic of the story. These images are a clever way to capture children’s attention while providing a playfulness that keeps the story lighthearted. Sophia and the Dragon-Eye Charms is a fun adventure with messages that make a lovely way for parents and children to communicate about important topics such as love, grief, and compassion.