Sir_Callie_and_the_Dragons_Roost_-_Esme_Symes-Smith
An inclusive tale that affirms everyone’s right to define themselves…. A must-have for every
library. This is an important book that will capture every readers heart and imagination.”
School Library Journal, starred review
In this uplifting debut, Symes-Smith skillfully crafts an emotionally rich adventure starring an
intersectionally inclusive cast of courageous characters.”
Publishers Weekly, starred review
A can’t-miss, one-of-a-kind (for now!) page-turner, bursting with heart…. Among the best of
the year—and a debut, no less.”
Booklist, starred review
Fierce, heartfelt, and determined.
Kirkus Reviews
Young readers will find a worthy hero in Callie, who displays boundless courage in defending
both their convictions and their friends.”
BookPage
Everything you could possibly want from a middle grade fantasy…. Fierce, sharp-witted, and
unapologetically queer.”
—The Nerd Daily
Symes-Smith has forged a razor-sharp story of bravery, emotional resilience, deep honor, and
adventure!
—Ash Van Otterloo, author of Cattywampus and A Touch of Ruckus
“This warm hug of a book is…thoughtful, inclusive, and an absolute joy.
—Jamie Pacton, author of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly
“A groundbreaking, magical story about fighting for who you are…. Callie is a character every
middle-grade reader deserves to have on their shelves.
—Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season, In the Role of Brie Hutchens…, and How to
Become a Planet
“Symes-Smith has created a groundbreaking story with engaging, unforgettable characters,
whose personal journeys will mean the world to so many young readers.”
—A. J. Sass, author of Ana on the Edge and Ellen Outside the Lines
Sir Callie is the hero I needed while growing up.
—H. E. Edgmon, author of The Witch King
OceanofPDF.com
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston
OceanofPDF.com
OceanofPDF.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright © 2023 by Esme Symes-Smith
Cover art copyright © 2023 by Kate Sheridan
Map art copyright © 2022 by Kate Sheridan
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Labyrinth Road, an imprint of Random House
Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
Labyrinth Road and the colophon are trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Visit us on the Web! rhcbooks.com
Educators and librarians, for a variety of teaching tools, visit us at RHTeachersLibrarians.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Name: Symes-Smith, Esme, author.
Title: Sir Callie and the dragon’s roost / Esme Symes-Smith.
Description: First edition. | New York: Labyrinth Road, 2023. | Series: Sir Callie; book 2 | Audience:
Ages 8–12. | Summary: Realizing that resistance to the inclusive culture they envisioned still
remains, twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight Callie and their friends continue to fight for the
heart of their kingdom.
Identifiers: LCCN 2023012464 (print) | LCCN 2023012465 (ebook) | ISBN 978-0-593-48581-1
(trade) | ISBN 978-0-593-48583-5 (ebook)
Subjects: CYAC: Gender identity—Fiction. | Knights and knighthood—Fiction. | Dragons—Fiction. |
Fantasy. | LCGFT: Fantasy fiction. | Novels.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.S995 Sj 2023 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.S995 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
Ebook ISBN 9780593485835
Random House Children’s Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read.
Penguin Random House LLC supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse
voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized
edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or
distributing any part in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing
Penguin Random House to publish books for every reader.
ep_prh_6.0_145344141_c0_r0
OceanofPDF.com
Contents
Cover
Also by Esme Symes-Smith
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Authors Note
Map
The Ballad of Sir Dorian and the Wyndebrel Beast
Callie
Teo
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Acknowledgments
OceanofPDF.com
For Megan, who gave me wings, and Liesa,
who taught me to fly
OceanofPDF.com
Dearest Readers,
Welcome back to Wyndebrel! Before you join Callie on their adventures,
there are a few things to address.
First, you are going to meet a few new friends who use neopronouns.
The same way Callie uses they/them/their and Willow and Elowen use
he/him/his and she/her/her respectively, these characters use the pronouns
xe/xem/xir (pronounced with a beginning “z” sound). Like Callie, these
characters do not identify with the gender binary, and I can’t wait for you to
meet them!
Now, more seriously:
At the end of Book 1, we left our champions on the cusp of a hopeful
future. But although the battle was won, the war is from over.
Healing is a long and difficult journey, with twists and turns that often
feel like we are going backward. But slow progress is still progress, and
healing from the kind of trauma that Callie and their friends have suffered is
never simple. Each character, like each person, takes their journey at a
different pace, and it is my intention that all readers be able to find
themselves in one of our heroes.
That said, I urge every reader to consider their triggers and boundaries.
Sir Callie and the Dragon’s Roost is a triumphant adventure, but the battles
are not only fantastical. Within these pages are depictions of violence,
transphobia, and child abuse, as well as frank discussions concerning the
well-intentioned but ultimately harmful efforts of adults.
This book is about deconstructing the stories we take for granted and
discovering truth for ourselves. It is about enemies and allies and the bridge
between them. It is about breaking down everything we think we know in
order to rebuild ourselves into who we truly are.
If you are in need of extra help, here are some accessible resources:
Trans Lifeline: translifeline.org
Childhelp: childhelp.org
The Trevor Project, confidential helpline for LGBTQIA+ youth:
thetrevorproject.org
In a world where those seen as “different” are persecuted, the bravest
thing any of us can do is stay stubbornly ourselves.
You are enough and loved, exactly as you are.
—Esme Symes-Smith
OceanofPDF.com
OceanofPDF.com
OceanofPDF.com