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Dragonbreath #5
No Such Thing as Ghosts
Danny Dragonbreath and his best friend, Wendell, have a carefully constructed trick-or-treating system designed to maximize their Halloween candy haul. But this year, despite Danny's awesome vampire costume, their plan is flopping. First, Danny's dad makes them trick-or-treat with Christiana Vanderpool, an annoying know-it-all (and girl) who doesn't even believe that dragons exist. And then the school bully dares them to go into a spooky old haunted house. Naturally, the house is inhabited by a creepy clown and a candy-crazed ghost of yore. It's going to take more than fire-breathing to get them out of this mess - they might even have to (horror of horrors!) perform a sacrificial candy offering.
Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate, Ursula Vernon's hauntingly hilarious fifth book in the Dragonbreath series will make you check your closets and lock up your candy.
Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate, Ursula Vernon's hauntingly hilarious fifth book in the Dragonbreath series will make you check your closets and lock up your candy.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2011
79 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Ursula Vernon
80 books1,529 followersUrsula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher, is an author and illustrator. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called “Digger” and various short stories and other odds and ends.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 20, 2018
This was a fabulously scary AND funny adventure, and my 9-year-old and I both thought it was great, but just a note for other parents - while the rest of the books in this series (or at least all the ones I've read) are fine for younger, early-chapterbook readers, this one definitely is not. I've read the other ones out loud to my 5-year-old, but this one was definitely too old for him to share.
YMMV, obviously! And it's not a criticism of the book at all - just a warning to make sure your kids are ready for some genuinely spooky and creepy bits before they read this one. (My 9-year-old was NOT ready for it when it was first read to him by another relative a few years ago, but he absolutely loved it this time round.)
YMMV, obviously! And it's not a criticism of the book at all - just a warning to make sure your kids are ready for some genuinely spooky and creepy bits before they read this one. (My 9-year-old was NOT ready for it when it was first read to him by another relative a few years ago, but he absolutely loved it this time round.)
February 17, 2013
Part-graphic novel, part chapter book, this is an entertaining and somewhat educational story about an adolescent anthropomorphic dragon, his iguana pal, and a girl lizard. It's the fifth book in the Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon.
Wow! This was one creepy book. Scary clowns will give me nightmares and this book was filled with one eerie clown. Far too many images of him for our comfort, so I covered him up when he appeared each time. I read this book aloud with our girls and while we've really enjoyed reading this series together, this was the scariest one so far. Perfect for Halloween, but still...
Warning to parents: This book is appropriate for middle grade readers, but I'm not sure it's good for anyone under the age of 10. In the very beginning of the story, the story mentions that one of the characters is a skeptic and doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Then the characters get stuck in a haunted house, with oozing walls, scary clowns, ghosts and creepy noises at every turn.
We borrowed this book from our local library. The story is a quick read and the graphic novel-like scenes are woven throughout the story in a seamless way. This would be a great book for an older child who likes graphic novels, but not chapter books, since you get a little bit of both here.
Our girls really liked this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. I especially like that advanced vocabulary words are sprinkled throughout the tale, providing a little challenge without being too frustrating for younger readers. We are looking forward to reading Dragonbreath: Revenge of the Horned Bunnies next. I just hope it's less creepy than this one. I'm also hoping our girls sleep well tonight!
interesting quote:
"Ghosts were one thing, but his dad on a rampage was scary." (p. 195)
Wow! This was one creepy book. Scary clowns will give me nightmares and this book was filled with one eerie clown. Far too many images of him for our comfort, so I covered him up when he appeared each time. I read this book aloud with our girls and while we've really enjoyed reading this series together, this was the scariest one so far. Perfect for Halloween, but still...
Warning to parents: This book is appropriate for middle grade readers, but I'm not sure it's good for anyone under the age of 10. In the very beginning of the story, the story mentions that one of the characters is a skeptic and doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Then the characters get stuck in a haunted house, with oozing walls, scary clowns, ghosts and creepy noises at every turn.
We borrowed this book from our local library. The story is a quick read and the graphic novel-like scenes are woven throughout the story in a seamless way. This would be a great book for an older child who likes graphic novels, but not chapter books, since you get a little bit of both here.
Our girls really liked this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. I especially like that advanced vocabulary words are sprinkled throughout the tale, providing a little challenge without being too frustrating for younger readers. We are looking forward to reading Dragonbreath: Revenge of the Horned Bunnies next. I just hope it's less creepy than this one. I'm also hoping our girls sleep well tonight!
interesting quote:
"Ghosts were one thing, but his dad on a rampage was scary." (p. 195)
August 31, 2021
Really cute Halloween story about Danny Dragonbreath and his friends. I appreciated both the light educational aspect (there wasn't a ton, but there was some mention of cultural ghost/Halloween traditions) and the fact that another girl character is introduced, this time without the "eeew, cooties" aspect.This would be a perfect Halloween read for kids who want to read a spooky story, but are as easily scared as I was at that age.
January 30, 2020
Another fun adventure with Danny the Dragon ! This time it's Halloween and there is local a haunted house... or is it? I am absolutely loving this series! I'm almost sad to be around the halfway point when soon there will be less books to read than already read. But that's the sign of a good series!
December 4, 2018
I really enjoyed Christiana. I hope we get to see her again. She brought a fresh personality to the story with her overly critical remarks and skepticism that is encouraging to see in a children’s book.
October 9, 2025
Enjoyment 9/10
Concept 9/10
Execution 9/10
Illustrations 8/10
Rating: 4.44/5
Concept 9/10
Execution 9/10
Illustrations 8/10
Rating: 4.44/5
October 22, 2018
It was an interesting book
January 16, 2013
I have read Dragon-breath there is no such thing as ghosts this is a long book it took me 2 hours to read and it is 1108 pages but back to the author she did a really did a good job of description of the characters and of all of the land so over all this is a really good book and try the next book revenge of the horned bunnys happy reading!
October 14, 2015
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 9, 2022
It’s currently Ghost Month, so it seemed like a good time to pick up the next installment of the Dragonbreath series, No Such Things As Ghosts. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been ten months since I read #4, but this one felt different.
Danny and Wendell are ready to go trick-or-treating, and Danny’s dad informs them they’ll be joined by Christiana Vanderpool, a crested lizard in their class who knows even bigger words than Wendell and doesn’t believe in anything without scientific evidence. The three of them are getting a decent haul of candy, but then the night takes a turn for the worse when the class bully, Big Eddy, dares them to go into a haunted house.
I still liked it, but the story felt more focused on being creepy and less on the humor and educational aspects. There’s a little bit about the history of Halloween and ghosts in other cultures, and a simple definition of Occam’s Razor; but that was pretty much it. The banter also seemed less amusing this time around, but I couldn’t place why exactly.
Danny and Wendell are ready to go trick-or-treating, and Danny’s dad informs them they’ll be joined by Christiana Vanderpool, a crested lizard in their class who knows even bigger words than Wendell and doesn’t believe in anything without scientific evidence. The three of them are getting a decent haul of candy, but then the night takes a turn for the worse when the class bully, Big Eddy, dares them to go into a haunted house.
I still liked it, but the story felt more focused on being creepy and less on the humor and educational aspects. There’s a little bit about the history of Halloween and ghosts in other cultures, and a simple definition of Occam’s Razor; but that was pretty much it. The banter also seemed less amusing this time around, but I couldn’t place why exactly.
January 9, 2024
No Such Thing As Ghosts was my introduction to Danny Dragonbreath and his friends. The book is a fabulous story about Halloween and a haunted house. The way the story is told, a nicely flowing blend of text, artwork, and comic-book elements is brilliant. Danny and his friends Wendell and Christiana are very engaging and interesting characters. I particularly enjoyed the skeptical, knowledgeable Christiana. I recently encountered author (and artist) Ursula Vernon when I read ( and loved) The Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking, written her her nom de plume T. Kingfisher. And now I've discovered and loved this other aspect of her creativity. Wonderful. Ursula Vernon has become a new favorite author and I will definitely be seeking out the other volumes in Danny Dragonbreath's adventures. Indeed, I will be seeking out anything Vernon has written, under any name. This book is a delight.
November 2, 2016
I like this book because it has lots of comic parts where they talk with word bubbles.
July 3, 2017
I'm now planning on reading every one of Ursula Vernon's Dragonbreath books--they are that much fun for me as an adult--I laughed and smiled while reading. The illustrations are so cute and really show the reader the emotions of the characters. These books also take on the heavier subject of bullying and does it well for younger readers. Another reason I recommend this book.
July 1, 2021
Авторката продължава да се заиграва с хорър архетипите (дойде редът и на обитавания от призраци дом) по много сладурски начин, а в антропоморфизираната ѝ вселена, населена с говорещи саламандри, игуани, варани и пр. влечугова и земноводна сволоч, никога не е скучно.
November 28, 2023
We just love this series. It's so very cool that one of my favorite authors writes books my kids can also enjoy. This one has just the right amount of scare without going too far. We were at the edge of our seats a few times, but laughed out loud even more.
June 13, 2024
Again this one was just a little bit better. Perhaps this series just needs a girl guest-star. I also appreciated not getting on a bus. And not meeting another random relative. And maybe breathing fire is also worthwhile. This one was readable and kind of cute. 3.5 of 5
August 4, 2017
Super cute. 70% chapter book, 30% graphic novel, 100% fun. It is on the educational side like Magic Tree House, but with more adventure and fantasy elements.
November 7, 2018
These are not good. I'm gonna read THEM ALL
December 31, 2018
You couldn't pay me to enter a haunted house. Heck. To the. No.
January 3, 2019
i like the book it was about ghosts and trick or treating.
January 15, 2019
While I didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much as the other ones I’ve read, it dealt with some serious topics! Wendell and Danny are going trick or treating with a new friend, Christina. Whose cynicism doesn’t really lend herself to Danny well. She doesn’t believe in anything she can’t see in touch, even thought she’s all about social justice, and green energy. As a character, I thoroughly enjoy her!
While on the trek through the neighborhood to gather candy, they are bullied and trapped in a haunted house by the neighborhood Bully, Ed and make a startling discovery.
While on the trek through the neighborhood to gather candy, they are bullied and trapped in a haunted house by the neighborhood Bully, Ed and make a startling discovery.
June 6, 2019
IT WAS CREEPY. AND SCARY. ALSO, EDDY IS A CHICKEN. IT WAS A GOOD BOOK
September 1, 2019
This is a great, hilarious graphic novel with just a touch of spooky. I strongly recommend!
May 16, 2020
Totally creepy but a great Dragonbreath book!
August 22, 2020
Love the series.
Read
August 29, 2020Ah, Halloween. Who knows what that will be this year. I hate living in interesting times.
November 23, 2020
Be warned that this is a bona fide ghost story; not the ridiculous fantastical characters and escapades in the other books. As such I feel it’s a bit too scary for younger children.
March 24, 2024
when I was younger this book used to give me nightmares but I also couldn't put it down so I think that makes it immaculate
September 4, 2024
3.5 / 5 ⭐️
October 18, 2024
Another great Halloween read. Kind of scary for little kids, luckily mine like spooky stuff. 👻
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews