I have just finished reading Darwin's Dragons by Lindsay Galvin.
The story is an adventure set during Darwin's voyages to the Galapagos Islands. The year is 1835 and Syms Covington is a cabin boy aboard HMS Beagle. He helps Charles Darwin collect and classify his finds. On their way back to the Beagle from Narborough Island a violent storm sweeps Syms overboard. He washes up on another island. He is attacked by a huge flying creature that looks like a dragon. Syms has to find a way to survive on the island while he figures out a way to get back to the Beagle. Syms has to overcome all kinds of difficulties on the island but gets help along the way from a friendly lizard. Ultimately Syms has to repay this kindness by acting against the orders of Queen Victoria in order to save a species from extinction.
Based on real people, and places this is an exciting, page turning adventure. A brilliant book if your favourite subjects at school are Biology and History.
