Dragon Rider - by Cornelia Funke

Thank goodness for Anthea Bell. If it weren't for this translator, we English-reading book lovers woulndn't be able to read this book, originally written in German. Author Cornelia Funke (also wrote Inkheart and Thief Lord), has created a wonderful adventure about a boy, a dragon, and a strange creature called a brownie. These three characters are joined on a quest to find the lost kingdom of the dragons, and their mission is the last hope for the endangered dragons of Scotland. There is a very scary bad guy in this book, as well as many other interesting characters. The plot rolls right along, holding your interest, and sticking in your brain even when you're not reading. This is a fabulous, well-told story, full of adventure magical happenings, but also strangely believable, kind of like Harry Potter and Eragon. Dragon lovers, adventure fans, and lovers of good, long books that you'll want to tell your friends about will all find something they'll love in Dragon Rider.