Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funk

Synopsis: When the dragons learn that man is coming to their hidden valley, they realize that they need to find a new home. One dragon named Firedrake offers to find the mythical Rim of Heaven for them to live. Along the way, he and a brownie discover an orphaned boy named Ben who offers to help them look for the Rim of Heaven, despite the fact that no one really knows the way. To make matters worse, an evil dragon-slaying golden dragon named Nettlebrand is hunting Firedrake to rid the world of all dragons.

Assessment: This book will engage boys and girls with an interesting cast of characters including a homunculus, dwarfs, sand fairies, and a thousand eyed djinni. I found the story engaging and interesting, but not too overly complicated for readers to follow. It is simple and sweet, but I wouldn't recommend it for older readers. I think it is best for younger readers or boys who read Harry Potter, but don't show much interest in any other books.