By Silvana De Mari

Miramax Books, 2006. 361 pages. Young Adult

Struggling to survive in a post apocalyptic world after his village is destroyed, Yorsh, the earth's last elf, must embark on a perilous quest to decipher a powerful prophecy and find the last Dragon, who holds the key to saving the world from the Dark Age that has begun.

The Last Dragon is easily among my favorite books of all time.  Besides having a dragon (I personally will read any book with a dragon on the cover) this story is so well-written and translated that it's nearly impossible not to fall in love with Yorsh and his companions.  They take you with them on their journey through learning to think beyond their prejudices to help the world become a better place, looking within themselves to discover how they can best turn their thoughts outwards and help others.  The book is filled with such hope even as the characters and their world is filled with despair, and the messages on its pages are timeless.  I would definitely recommend this one to all readers of all ages, even ones who don't love (or even like!) dragons.

Dragon Slippers

By Jessica Day George

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2007. 324 pages. Young Adult

Orphaned after a fever epidemic, Creel befriends a dragon and unknowingly inherits an object that can either save or destroy her kingdom.

Dragon Rider

By Cornelia Funke

Scholastic, 2004. 523 pages. Young Adult

After learning that humans are headed toward his hidden home, Firedrake, a silver dragon, is joined by a brownie and an orphan boy in a quest to find the legendary valley known as the Rim of Heaven, encountering friendly and unfriendly creatures along the way, and struggling to evade the relentless pursuit of an old enemy.

ERB