Kevan's Strengths of Character in “The Smallest Dragonboy” Anonymous 8th Grade

The author, Anne, McCafferey, wrote a draconic fantasy story titled “The Smallest Dragonboy” that took place in the Benden Weyr of the Benden Mountains on an imaginary planet called Pern before the Hatching occurs. In the story, the main character, Keevan, struggles to prove himself worthy and become a dragonrider. However, Keevan faces many challenges, such as Beterli the bully, his serious injuries, his physical appearance and age, and the Weyrleader’s debate about turfing out the babes. Throughout the story, Keevan’s motivation, determination, and perseverance help him overcome his conflicts to become a dragonrider and prove himself worthy of his position to all the colonists.

In the middle of the story, Keevan’s thoughts revealed a motivated side of him. “Even the small voice telling him that he’d have other opportunities failed to alleviate his crushing depression. This was the Impression that mattered! This was his chance to show everyone, from Mende to K’last to L’vel and even the Weyrleader, that he, Keevan, was worthy of being a dragonrider (pg.128).” Keevan’s subconscious voice tells him that he’ll have other chances to Impress a dragon, but he is determined to prove himself worthy of being a dragonrider the first...