Library & Information Science, Course 262: Resources for Young Adults.
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 "The dragon is a legendary beast in the folklore of many European and Asian cultures. Legends describe dragons as large, lizardlike creatures that breathe fire and have a long, scaly tail. In Europe, dragons are traditionally portrayed as ferocious beasts that represent the evils fought by human beings. But in Asia, especially in China and Japan, the animals are generally considered friendly creatures that ensure good luck and wealth." [World Book, CD Rom c. 1999] Dragons in contemporary literature start with these characteristics and expand from there. They are generally, though not always, friends and companions to men, able to speak audibly or communicate telepathically with them. Often found on other planets in science fiction settings, or on an alter-earth in fantasy settings, dragons are as many faceted as the authors who write of them. Below is a listing of some of the best dragon fiction available for young adults.

THE DRAGON AND THE THIEF, Gillian Bradshaw. Greenwillow Books : New York, 1991; 154 p. In ancient Egypt, Prahotep, the unlucky son of a poor fisherman, must find his way in the world. When he encounters the dragon Hathor his luck begins to change and Prahotep learns to use his newly discovered cleverness to save himself and his friends. Other adventures follow in The Land of Gold.

DRAGON'S BAIT, Vivian Vande Velde. Dell : New York, 1992; 131 p. Here is a very unfathomable dragon, not the friendly, companion-to-man type. When Alys is staked out for dragon bait after being accused of being a witch, she hopes for a quick death, but the dragon that comes to her is surprising, mysterious and willing to help her find revenge.

DRAGON STEEL, Laurence Yep. HarperTrophy : New York, 1985; 275 p. The dragon Princess Shimmer, exiled from her home so many years before, returns with her human friend Thorn, but finds herself unwelcome. As she relates the story there are many unlikely adventures accomplished with the help of magic and friends that are found along the way. One of a series of beginning with Dragon of the Lost Sea.

THE DRAGON OF BOEOTIA, Bernard Evslin. Chelsea House, New York : 1987; 94 p. The ancient gods of Greece, proud and evil rulers, witches and bravery and deceit all come together in a tale beautifully illustrated with original art work. The dragon is as evil as they come and the ending is sad but Evslin has a way with words that makes old mythology come alive.

HARPER HALL TRILOGY:

 DRAGONSONG, Anne McCaffrey. Atheneum : New York, 1976. 202 p. A wonderful tale of how Menolly of Half Circle Hold on the planet Pern is forbidden by her father to take part in music in any way. She runs away and discovers the legendary fire lizards who become her friends as she persues a life of music and is discovered by Masterharper Robinton.

 DRAGONSINGER, Anne McCaffrey. Atheneum : New York, 1977; 264 p. Menolly is accepted as an apprentice at the Harper Hall music school and learns the routine of studying music and daily life. She cares for her nine fire lizards and even finds more to share with others. As her talents develop she attains the level of journeyman harpist and acceptance as the first female harper on Pern. The series is completed in Dragondrums.

DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN

 DRAGONFLIGHT, Anne McCaffrey. Ballantine, New York : 1987, c1968 ; 303p. Lessa discovers her destiny as a dragon weyr leader and uses her skills to convince dragonriders from another age to come to the aid of Pern against the thread. The series continues with, Dragonquest, The White Dragon, and All the Weyrs of Pern.

See a complete listing of Anne McCaffrey's works at the following website: http://www.hevanet.com/seeber/list.htm

PIT DRAGONS:

DRAGON'S BLOOD, Jane Yolen. Dell : New York, 1982; 243 p. Jakkin, a young bond servant on the planet Austar IV, cleans dragon stalls and bathes dragons all day, but he has aspirations of buying out his bond and becoming a freeman, fighting his own dragons in the pits. His secret venture may bring his dream to fruition, but with many unexpected surprises along the way.

HEART'S BLOOD, Jane Yolen. Dell : New York, 1984; 238 p. With his own dragon to fight and breed, Jakkin has found freedom and wealth. He is called upon to aid an old friend and becomes embroiled in the politics of the planet. Danger, death and escape into the mountains change his life completely.

A SENDING OF DRAGONS, Jane Yolen. Dell : New York, 1987; 189 p. The loss of Heart's Blood and the newly discovered powers that ensued bring on many adventures with enslaved dragons and wild men in the bowels of the mountains. The five hatchlings of Heart's Blood are Jakkin's and Akki's constant joy and help.

THE DRAGON CHRONICLES:

DRAGON'S MILK, Susan Fletcher. Aladdin : New York, 1992 ; 242 p. Tall, green-eyed Kaeldra knows she is different and feels it strongly. She finds out just how different she is when her foster sister's life is endangered by a disease that can only be cured with frequent helpings of dragon's milk. Kaeldra's gift for communicating with dragons takes her on dangerous adventures and brings romance into her life, in spite of sorrow.

THE SIGN OF THE DOVE, Susan Fletcher. Aladdin : New York 1999 ; 214 p. I would like to order my baby dragon now! I love this series. Lyf can communicate or 'kin" with birds and dragons and through many perils and adventures leads eleven draclings to safety. Good writing, good fantasy, and good food for dragon lovers. A third book titled Flight of the Dragon Kyn is a prequel to the series.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES:

DEALING WITH DRAGONS, Patricia C. Wrede. Scholastic : New York, 1987. 212 p. The princess Cimerone is not your ordinary princess. She is always sneaking away to learn un-princessly things like fencing, cooking, Latin and magic. Rather than marry the boring prince Therandil she runs away and offers herself to the service of a dragon. Her education, both proper and improper, stand her in good stead in her new life. And it is much more interesting using her wits to ward of evil wizards that it ever was learning to embroider.

SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS, Patricia C. Wrede. Scholastic : New York, 1991. 242 p. When the King of the Enchanted Forest is pressured to marry he refuses to have anything to do with empty-headed princesses. All thought of marriage is set aside, though, when he realizes his forest is being destroyed. He seeks out the king of the dragons to find out why and meets Cimerone. Delightful adventures follow sprinkled with bits of fairy tales like Rumplestiltzkin's relative and his multitude of first born royal children traded for spinning gold for princesses. The series continues with Talking with Dragons and Calling on Dragons.

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