Makana, a Dragon, and a Piece of Jade

Chinese dragons are allusive, hidden, mysterious and Makana's dragon was no different. Without it, there was no hope of her first piece of jade. "Someday," said Makana's mother, "It will be a deed you will do without being told to do it and it will be the right thing to do, but unlike cleaning your playhouse or watering the flowers, doing the right and responsible will frighten you so much, you will want to ignore it, walk beyond it or even deny it because of your fear. It will take the dragon that lives in your heart to help you overcome your fears and confront it, giving you courage to continue forward, bravely, doing what you know is the correct course of action. Makana, A Dragon and a Piece of Jade is an Asian-American children's story that confronts choices that are made with the symbolism of earning something as special as your first piece of jade.