9 Fantastic Young Adult Books About Dragons

If you love fantastical stories about mythical creatures, dark magic, and age-old conflicts, you've come to the right place. The nine young adult novels we've gathered here are each unique fantasy stories, but they have one thing in common: dragons. Fans of these powerful, fire-breathing reptiles are certainly in for a treat. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

YA Dragon Books: Our 9 Picks

Title Author(s)
1. The Dragon Wakes Sarah Dalton
2. Dragonfriend Marc Secchia
3. Anaerfell Joshua Robertson & J.C. Boyd
4. The Lost Heir Andi O'Connor
5. Redheart Jackie Gamber
6. Chosen Samantha Britt
7. Taming the Blowing Wind Teresa Garcia
8. The Last Namsara Kristen Ciccarelli
9. School of Deaths Christopher Mannino

Fun Activities For Fantasy Fans

8 Great Dragon Movies

  1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
  2. Eragon (2006)
  3. DragonHeart (1996)
  4. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
  5. Spirited Away (2001)
  6. Pete's Dragon (2016)
  7. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
  8. Dragonworld (1994)

The Evolution of Dragon Mythology

In Depth

They say there are no such things as dragons, but lovers of fiction know better. In some of the most enduring works for young readers, mythical creatures come to life on the page. If you're in need of a Y.A. fantasy fix with plenty of dragon action, here, in no particular order, are some enchanting books that you should add to your reading list today.

In the #1 spot is "The Dragon Wakes" by Sarah Dalton. Before the current King took office, the land of Estala was a miraculous place filled with dragons, magic, and powerful "Menti" sorcerers. Of course, that was before the terrified King banished magic and started enslaving any surviving Menti for his own purposes. But the world of wizards and shifters won't be kept down for long. They're planning a rebellion that will hasten the return of dragon kings. It's up to an orphaned girl and a sickly prince to make sure order is restored without bloodshed.

For #2, we find Marc Secchia's "Dragonfriend." When Hualiama's life was turned upside-down by the treacherous Ra'aba's ascension to the throne, she thought she'd never see her beloved Kingdom of Fra'anior again. She didn't count on having her life saved by a loyal dragonet after being banished to an island full of the dangerous yet trusting creatures. All Lia wants to do is restore her adoptive father to the Onyx Throne. With the help of her new friends, maybe she can save her world from being shattered forever.

When Hualiama's life was turned upside-down by the treacherous Ra'aba's ascension to the throne, she thought she'd never see her beloved Kingdom of Fra'anior again.

At #3 is Joshua Robertson and J.C. Boyd's "Anaerfell." Brothers Drast and Tyran are a rowdy pair, but they have their charms. Used to taking on daring battles and impossible quests, the two think nothing of it when their father enlists them to find something that will turn him immortal. But the path to everlasting life is twisted and thorny. To fulfill their mission, the brothers must battle dragons, face skin-switching enemies, and fight the terrifying god of the underworld before the deadly koldovstvo magic overtakes them.

Coming in at #4 is "The Lost Heir" by Andi O'Connor. Darrak was used to living a normal, Earth-bound life. That was before a sorcerer spirited him away to Dragonath, a land where magic is King. Darrak doesn't know the rules of this new world, but he does know one thing: in this place, black magic is everywhere, and it's only a matter of time before it snuffs out his life forever. He'll need to lean on the strength and skill of his only friends, a ragtag band of fighters, royals, and misfits, in order to survive the mysterious forces that brought him here.

At #5 is Jackie Gamber's "Redheart." In Leland Province, the strained relationship between dragons and humans has brought the community to the brink of war. When a dangerous leader decides to drive humans to extinction, it's up to Kallon Redheart, a rebel who lost faith in his race after the brutal murder of his parents, to forge an alliance between the two warring factions before it's too late.

When a dangerous leader decides to drive humans to extinction, it's up to Kallon Redheart, a rebel who lost faith in his race after the brutal murder of his parents, to forge an alliance between the two warring factions before it's too late.

At #6 is "Chosen" by Samantha Britt. It's been a thousand years since the Draekon came to power, leaving humans defeated and enslaved. Healer Lissa grew up hearing the stories of her conquerors, but nothing she learned as a child could have prepared her for her new post in the capital, where she'll find herself surrounded by dragon royalty, including the handsome Draekon prince whose favor could land her in deadly trouble. Lissa is full of questions. The closer she gets to her answers, however, the more dangerous life in the palace becomes.

At #7 is Teresa Garcia's "Taming the Blowing Wind." BlowingWind MountainChild comes from a long line of shamans and strong Apache healers. Determined to find herself, she travels to Japan, where she encounters a dragon recently freed from a five-year sentence spent living beneath a volcano. Take Ryu may have been imprisoned for getting too involved in the world of humans, but after meeting his match in BlowingWind, he knows he can't leave her undefended. Together, the two continue BlowingWind's quest for self, ducking danger at every turn.

For #8, we get "The Last Namsara" by Kristen Ciccarelli. Asha might technically be the Princess of Firgaard, but she's not your typical royal. Instead of hosting balls and parties, Asha slays dragons. Now, she's on the verge of becoming the most powerful slayer in the kingdom, a position that puts her in danger of being selected to take the role of Iskari, or death-bringer, in her community. There's only one way for her to avoid this fate. Killing the most fearsome dragon in the land might free her from becoming an angel of death, but it could also end her life for good.

Killing the most fearsome dragon in the land might free her from becoming an angel of death, but it could also end her life for good.

Finally, at #9 is Christopher Mannino's "School of Deaths." The Grim Reaper isn't just a myth, and thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio is about to learn that the hard way. At the College of Deaths, which she is forced to attend, reapers-in-training get a chance to sharpen their skills. Suzie doesn't feel at home in this morbid place, especially with all this talk about an ongoing war between death-bringers and dragons. She might not have a choice: a spot just opened up for the first female reaper in thousands of years, and her name is all over it.