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Best Dragon Books

Topic List66 books curated24 recommendations total

Dragon books, including titles recommended by Elon Musk, Frank Chimero and Paul Graham. Most recommended here: The Hobbit, The Neverending Story and A Wizard of Earthsea.

Curated list content

Where to start: Dragon Books recommended most often

Recommended books, ranked by how many of the 20 people behind this list recommended each one.

  1. 1The Hobbit8 recommendations · recommended by John Gruber, Paul Graham and Ed Morrissey
  2. 2The Neverending Story6 recommendations · recommended by Jamie Grayson, Guillermo del Toro and Soman Chainani
  3. 3A Wizard of Earthsea3 recommendations · recommended by Frank Chimero, Clara Jeffery and George R. R. Martin
  4. 4A Dance with Dragons2 recommendations · recommended by Elon Musk and Kobe Bryant
  5. 5How to Train Your Dragon1 recommendation · recommended by Simon Smith
1
Book cover for “The Hobbit”
The Hobbit

The Lord of the Rings, Book 1

8 recommendations

Recommended by John Gruber, Paul Graham, Ed Morrissey and 3 others

Description

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure.

2
Book cover for “The Neverending Story”
Book Summary

Opens as a vivid portal fantasy: a shy boy finds a book that pulls him into the imagined world of Fantastica, and the reading experience often feels like stepping inside a dream. Strengths are imaginative set pieces, lyrical description, and a bold metafictional premise that asks how stories shape identity. Main limitation is uneven pacing and frequent allegorical detours that can feel repetitive or heavy-handed; this is more mood-driven and episodic than a sprinting adventure.

3
Book cover for “A Wizard of Earthsea”
A Wizard of Earthsea

The Earthsea Cycle Series, Book 1

3 recommendations

Recommended by Frank Chimero, Clara Jeffery and George R. R. Martin

Book Summary

Le Guin's novel reads as a compact, lyrical coming-of-age quest: a bright, reckless boy learns the costs of magic, speaks true names, faces a shadow he unleashed, and travels through islands and encounters that test his craft. What works best is the spare, poetic prose that turns familiar fantasy plot beats into moral parables about hubris, restraint, and identity. The limitation: the pacing is deliberate and episodic, and some readers may find female characters thinly sketched and moral lessons stated rather than deeply argued.

4
Book cover for “A Dance with Dragons”
A Dance with Dragons

Game of Thrones, Book 5

2 recommendations

Recommended by Elon Musk and Kobe Bryant

Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER _x0095_ THE BOOK BEHIND THE FIFTH SEASON OF THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES Don_x0092_t miss the thrilling sneak peek of George R. R.

5
Book cover for “How to Train Your Dragon”
How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon, Book 2

1 recommendation

Recommended by Simon Smith

Description

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as "the Dragon Whisperer"...but it wasn't always so. Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans.

6
Book cover for “Tooth and Claw”
1 recommendation

Recommended by Rainbow Rowell

Description

Now in a new pocketsized hardcover edition, the World Fantasy Awardwinning tale of contention over love and moneyamong dragons.Tooth and ClawJo Walton burst onto the fantasy scene with The King's Peace, acclaimed by writers as diverse as Poul Anderson, Robin Hobb, and Ken…

7
Book cover for “There's a Dragon in Your Book”
1 recommendation

Recommended by Michelle Obama

Description

OH NO! There's a dragon in this picture book by bestselling author, YouTube star, and musician Tom Fletcherauthor of There's a Monster in Your Book!First, there's an egg in your book. Then the cutest baby dragon you've ever seen hatches from it.

8
Book cover for “The Hero and the Crown”
1 recommendation

Recommended by Sarah J. Maas

Book Summary

This gently paced YA fantasy follows an outcast princess who trains herself, bonds with a retired warhorse, and confronts dragons to win a place in her father's court. Its useful part is patient character work: the heroine's growth feels practical and earned, with lyrical descriptions that make scenes linger. The main limitation is pace — long stretches of introspection and worldbuilding slow momentum and may frustrate readers wanting frequent set-piece action. Best read when you want mood and character more than nonstop spectacle.

9
Book cover for “Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher”
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher

A Magic Shop Book (2)

1 recommendation

Recommended by Christopher Paolini

Description

Beloved author Bruce Coville's classic tale about a boy who accidentally hatches a dragon. Sixthgrader Jeremy Thatcher discovers a strange magic shop he has never seen before. He enters, and his life is changed forever.

10
No coverDragon Keeper
Dragon Keeper

Rain Wilds Chronicles, Book 1

Description

Too much time has passed since the powerful dragon Tintaglia helped the people of the Trader cities stave off an invasion of their enemies.

11
Book cover for “Dragon Was Terrible”
Description

We all know dragons are terrible, but this one is especially terrible. He scribbles in books. He steals candy from baby unicorns. He even burps in church. Seriously, who does that Dragon, that's who.

12
Book cover for “Dragon's Milk”
Description

Kaeldra, an outsider adopted by an Elythian family as a baby, possesses the power to understand dragons and uses this power to try to save her younger sister who needs dragon's milk to recover from an illness.

Show 54 more books with a single recommendation
13
Book cover for “Here, There Be Dragons”
Description

The Imaginarium Geographica"What is it" John asked.The little man blinked and arched an eyebrow."It is the world, my boy," he said. "All the world, in ink and blood, vellum and parchment, leather and hide.

14
No coverMe and My Dragon
Description

A boy lists all the reasons he wants a pet dragon and describes how he would take care of it. Includes tips for selection (why you shouldn't choose a threeheaded dragon), discipline (what to do if your dragon misbehaves), and diet (why you should never give a dragon broccoli).

15
Book cover for “Seraphina”
Seraphina

Seraphina, Book 1

Description

This is an Alternative Cover Edition for ISBN13: 9780375866227In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Awardwinning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternativemedieval world to Fantasy, and sciencefiction readers of all ages.

16
No coverThe Dragonsitter
Description

The first book in a fresh and funny new chapter book series, told completely in emails, about a boy named Eddie and a naughty pet dragon!Dear Uncle Morton, You'd better got on a plane right now and come back here. Your dragon has eaten Jemima. Emily loved that rabbit!

17
Book cover for “The Last Dragonslayer”
The Last Dragonslayer

The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1

Description

In the good old days, magic was indispensable. But now magic is fading: Drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery.

18
No coverA Natural History of Dragons
A Natural History of Dragons

A Memoir by Lady Trent (The Lady Trent Memoirs)

Description

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart_x0097_no more so than the study of dragons itself.

19
Book cover for “Dragons at Crumbling Castle”
Book Summary

Fourteen never-before-published short tales that underline Terry Pratchett's comic touch: inept wizards, sensible heroes, and adventuresome tortoises, accompanied by more than a hundred black-and-white illustrations. The main pleasure is the light, playful voice and a string of sharply observed jokes and small set-pieces. The main limitation is unevenness: several items read like sketches or charming rough drafts rather than fully rounded stories, so the collection feels intermittent rather than steadily rewarding.

20
No coverDragons Love Tacos 2
Description

The hilarious sequel to the smokin' hot New York Times best seller, perfect for story time News alert! It has just been discovered that there are NO MORE TACOS left anywhere in the world. This is a huge problem because, as you know, dragons love tacos.

21
Book cover for “Heartstone”
Description

A debut historical Fantasy, that recasts Jane Austen_x0092_s beloved Pride & Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and…

22
No coverThe Chronicles of Dragon
The Chronicles of Dragon

The Hero, the Sword and the Dragons (Volume 1)

Description

Welcome to the world of NALZAMBOR ... Nath is a special warrior. He is a man destined to be a dragon. In order to become a dragon, he must save the dragons.For countless years Nath has been on a quest to become a dragon, but his meddling with the other races tends to get in the…

23
Book cover for “The Last Dragon”
Description

Master storyteller Jane Yolen (Owl Moon, Sword of the Rightful King) and celebrated Fantasy, artist Rebecca Guay (Swamp Thing, Magic: The Gathering) weave a textured and lyrical tale of adventure, homelands, and heroism the hard way.Two hundred years ago, humans drove the…

24
No coverThe Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Description

Collected together for the first time are Patricia C. Wrede's hilarious adventure stories about Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper.

25
No coverThe Inheritance Cycle Series 4 Book Set Collection Eragon, Eldest, Brisngr
26
No coverThere's No Such Thing as a Dragon
Description

A story for every kid who wants a pet dragon!When Billy Bixbee finds a tiny dragon in his bedroom, his mom tells him, "There's no such thing as a dragon!" This only makes the dragon get bigger.

27
No coverA Gold Star for Zog
Description

The ultimate backtoschool quest from bestsellers Donaldson and SchefflerWhat do dragons learn at Madam Dragon's schoolHow to fly. . . How to roar. . . How to breathe fire!Zog is the most eager student in the class, but he's also the most accidentprone.

28
Book cover for “Dragonwatch”
Dragonwatch

A Fablehaven Adventure (1)

Description

The dragons that have been kept in sanctuaries want their freedom_x0097_and their revenge_x0097_and the world_x0092_s only hope is the reformation of the ancient order of Dragonwatch in this New York Times bestselling first novel of a new sequel series to Fablehaven from author…

29
Book cover for “Guards! Guards!”
Guards! Guards!

Discworld, Book 8

Description

This is where the dragons went. They lie ... not dead, not asleep, but ... dormant. And although the space they occupy isn't like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly. They could put you in mind of a can of sardines, if you thought sardines were huge and scaly.

30
No coverRise of the Earth Dragon
Rise of the Earth Dragon

A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #1) (1)

Description

The DRAGON MASTERS series is "How to Train Your Dragon" meets the DRAGON SLAYERS' ACADEMY!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers.

31
Book cover for “The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart”
Description

A classic Fantasy, with terrific girl power (and chocolate), perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Jessica Day George.Aventurine is a brave young dragon ready to explore the world outside of her family's mountain cave . . . if only they'd let her leave it.

32
No coverThe Dragonriders of Pern
The Dragonriders of Pern

Dragonflight Dragonquest The White Dragon (Pern

Description

An alternate cover edition can be found here.The first three books in the world's most beloved sciencefiction seriesfinally together in one volume!DragonflightAfter ten long Turns, Lessa was ready to come out of hiding, to claim her birthright and become Weyrwoman of Benden.

33
Book cover for “Three Tales of My Father's Dragon”
Description

The classic Fantasy, trilogy of Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon has delighted children and their parents for generations.

34
Book cover for “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon”
Book Summary

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon is a sweet, brightly illustrated picture book built for read‑alouds and quick classroom reads. The pleasure comes from watching a child experiment with materials and ideas, and from simple beats that invite conversation about originality and choice. Main value: a gentle, child-centered nudge toward playful problem‑solving and confidence with crafts. Main limitation: the plot and characterization stay compact and tidy, so adults seeking deeper stakes or practical craft guidance may find it thin.

35
Book cover for “Dear Dragon”
Dear Dragon

A Pen Pal Tale

Description

A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair…

36
Book cover for “Dragon Slippers”
Book Summary

A breezy YA/teen fantasy that mixes dragons, courtly intrigue, and a heroine who must outwit a scheme to marry her off, Dragon Slippers reads like a light fairy tale stretched into an episodic quest. The useful part is its easy, playful pacing and emphasis on friendship and clever solutions rather than grim stakes, so it’s fast to finish and mood-lifting. Limitations: characters and worldbuilding stay shallower than in denser fantasy, and readers wanting gritty moral complexity or slow-burn plotting may find it too simple.

37
Book cover for “Dragon's Halloween”
Dragon's Halloween

An Acorn Book

Book Summary

Dragon's Halloween is a short, picture-first early reader that uses very simple sentences, repetition, and large illustrations to scaffold beginning readers. The Halloween theme supplies familiar vocabulary and playful situations that work well for read-alouds and independent first reads. Useful part: predictable phrasing and visual clues help children decode and build confidence. Limitation: minimal plot and almost no vocabulary depth—adult enjoyment relies on reading it with a child rather than on narrative surprise.

38
Book cover for “Dragonsong”
Dragonsong

Dragonriders of Pern, Book 3

Description

Fifteenyearold Menolly allies with magnificent dragons in the first book in the Harper Hall trilogy, set within science fiction legend Anne McCaffrey_x0092_s beloved and bestselling Dragonriders of Pern series.For centuries, the world of Pern has faced a destructive force known…

39
Book cover for “Never Touch a Dragon”
Description

A tactile touchandfeel book all about dragons! You must never touch a dragon . . . except in this book!This dragonthemed touchandfeel book is perfect for young children!

40
Book cover for “Not Your Typical Dragon”
Description

Everybody knows your typical dragon breathes fire. But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn't come out_x0097_only whipped cream!

41
No coverTalking to Dragons
Talking to Dragons

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Four (4)

Description

One day, Daystar's mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn't know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he's sure it must involve a dragon or two!

42
Book cover for “The Knight and the Dragon”
Description

What happens when a sheepish knight and a notsofierce dragon fight for the very first time Well, its no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragonfighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestors things to find out how to fight a…

43
No coverThe Tale of Custard the Dragon
Description

In this humorous poem, Custard the cowardly dragon saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet animals.

44
Book cover for “A Friend for Dragon”
A Friend for Dragon

An Acorn Book (Dragon #1) (1)

Description

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read.

45
No coverDealing with Dragons
Dealing with Dragons

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One

Description

Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart and bored.

46
Book cover for “Dragonflight”
Dragonflight

Dragonriders of Pern, Book 1

Description

HOW CAN ONE GIRL SAVE AN ENTIRE WORLDTo the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father and took over his lands.

47
Book cover for “Dragonology”
Dragonology

The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies)

Description

For true believers only, a lavishly illustrated reproduction of a legendary volume by the world's most distinguished dragonologist.

48
No coverEmber and the Ice Dragons
Description

Ember St. George is a dragon. At least she was before her adoptive father_x0097_a powerful but accidentprone Magician_x0097_turned her into a human girl to save her life.Unfortunately, Ember_x0092_s growing tendency to burst into flames at certain temperatures_x0097_not to…

49
Book cover for “The Princess Who Flew with Dragons”
Description

Princess Sofia of Drachenheim is sick of being used for her older sister_x0092_s political gains. At twelve years old, she_x0092_s already been a hostage to invading dragons and a promised future fiancé to a wicked fairy.

50
Book cover for “Dragon and Thief”
Description

The first novel in the Dragonback series is _x0093_a romp of a space thriller_x0094_ (Booklist) from the #1 New York Times_x0096_bestselling author of Star Wars: Thrawn. Jack Morgan is dealing with more trouble than any young man deserves.

51
No coverDragon Champion
Description

Dragon Champion, the first book in E. E. Knight's allages Fantasy, series chronicling the adventures of a fledgling dragon, is a dramatic departure for the author of the bestselling Vampire Earth saga (Valentine's Rising, Tale of the Thunderbolt, et al.) an adrenalinefueled…

52
Book cover for “Dragon Rider”
Description

The #1 New York Times Bestseller!With a lonely boy named Ben on board, the brave young dragon Firedrake sets out on a magical journey to find the mythical place where silver dragons can live in peace forever.

53
No coverDragonsbane
54
No coverEragon
Eragon

The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1

55
No coverFerno the Fire Dragon
Description

Six fearsome beasts have been cast under an evil spell by the Dark Wizard Malvel, and are destroying the kingdom of Avantia. Our hero Tom and his friend Elenna must free the beasts from the spell and save the land. Let the battle commence!

56
Book cover for “Have You Seen My Dragon”
Description

In the heart of the city, among the taxis and towers, a small boy travels uptown and down, searching for his friend. Readers will certainly spot the glorious beast, plus an array of bigcity icons they can count.

57
Book cover for “His Majesty's Dragon”
His Majesty's Dragon

Temeraire, Book 1

Description

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors ride mighty fighting dragons, bred for size or speed.

58
No coverKing Jack and the Dragon
Description

An irresistible knightsanddragons Fantasy, for the very young, in the tradition of Oxenbury's enduring classic We're Going on a Bear HuntJack, Zack, and baby Caspar spend all day fighting dragons in their homemade fort.

59
No coverSpellsinger
61
Book cover for “The Dragon Warrior”
Description

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this highaction middlegrade Fantasy, follows an outcast as she embarks on a quest to prove herselfperfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time and The Serpent's Secret.As a member of the Jade Society, twelveyearold Faryn Liu dreams of honoring…

64
Book cover for “The Reluctant Dragon”
Description

In this delightful tale an unnamed boy discovers that there is a dragon living in the downs above his house. But this is no ordinary dragon, this is an erudite, poetryloving dragon. The boy and the dragon become friends in short order.

65
No coverThere Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
Description

We all know that _x0093_there was an old lady_x0094_ who swallowed lots of things. Now meet the old dragon who swallows pretty much an entire kingdom! Will he ever learn a little moderation!

66
No coverThree Hearts and Three Lions

Recommended Dragon Books by Christopher Paolini

Christopher Paolini recommends 1 book on this list. See all book recommendations by Christopher Paolini

Recommended Dragon Books by Clara Jeffery

Clara Jeffery recommends 1 book on this list. See all book recommendations by Clara Jeffery

Recommended Dragon Books by Ed Morrissey

Ed Morrissey recommends 1 book on this list. See all book recommendations by Ed Morrissey

Dragon Books: common questions

What are the most recommended dragon books?
The Hobbit, The Neverending Story and A Wizard of Earthsea are the most recommended dragon books on BookMentions, ranked by how many people recommended them.
Who recommends dragon books?
Christopher Paolini, Clara Jeffery, Ed Morrissey and Elon Musk are among the people who recommend books on this list. Each name links to their full set of book recommendations.
Which of these dragon books should I read first?
The Hobbit is the most recommended here with 8 recommendations, which makes it the safest place to start.

Built from recommendation data, category signals, and source-backed book records. Use this list as a starting point; open any book to see proof, context, and Amazon options where available.

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About this list

This list aggregates books that appear in public recommendation sources, reader-interest signals, and category data. Books are ranked by their position from the source list; recommendation counts and ratings are shown where available. Open any book to see source-backed recommendation proof, editorial context, and Amazon options — the per-book detail page is where the trust signals live.

Recommended books by person: who recommends dragon books

Books recommended by the people below. Open a profile to see everything they recommend, with the source behind each pick.