What if the stories we tell ourselves are the only way we survive?
Ten-year-old David Mercer doesn't just tell stories-he becomes them.
Home should be a place of safety. For David, it isn't. At school, silence makes him invisible. Caught between a life he can't control and a world that doesn't understand him, David escapes into a world where he is no longer a frightened little boy.
He is the Crimson Dragon.
Strong. Untouchable. Free.
But when a compassionate school counselor begins to see beyond the stories, David is offered something he has never truly known: the chance to be heard.
As trust slowly replaces fear, David must confront the painful truth he has hidden for so long and discover whether he is brave enough to let someone finally see who he really is.
Drawing on her experience as a children's psychosocial rehabilitation counselor, Ruby Sloane delivers a deeply moving novel that explores childhood trauma, resilience, imagination, and the extraordinary courage it takes to believe that hope is still possible.
Both heartbreaking and hopeful, When I Was a Dragon is a story of survival, healing, and the life-changing power of one adult who chooses to see the child behind the silence.
Perfect for readers of emotionally resonant contemporary fiction, as well as school counselors, educators, therapists, social workers, and anyone who believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, and protected.
Because sometimes, the greatest dragons we face...are the ones within.
Industry Reviews
"An unforgettable novel that reminds us every child has a story-and every adult has the opportunity to change its ending."
"Beautifully written, emotionally authentic, and impossible to forget."
"Ruby Sloane transforms childhood imagination into one of the most compelling portraits of resilience you'll read this year."
"Every school counselor, educator, therapist, and advocate for children should read this remarkable novel."
"The prose is beautiful. The story is equal parts light and darkness. Equal parts grit and despair. The story forces you to face pain. It's impossible not to feel for David. You want him to win. The whole story feels like looking into a dark snow globe, hoping each snowflake will somehow connect into something magical." -Desi Stowe, author of The Charleston Harbor Series
"When I Was a Dragon is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Ruby beautifully captures the reality of childhood coping mechanisms. The dragon isn't a flashy mythical creature of triumph-it is a shield, with scales built to deflect hurtful words and a fiery defense against the terrifying reality of David's family life. Have the tissues ready."
- Amazon Reviewer
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