This book is a story about overcoming doubt, and people who don't believe you. A dragon's home valley is being invaded, and he needs to find the Rim of Heaven. All the dragons in his colony say it doesn't exist. All except the leader of the group and the oldest one. So a young dragon, with the help of his friends, goes on a journey to find this Rim of Heaven. In this book he overcomes dilemma after dilemma. It is a good example of how, if we put ourselves up to the test, we can make it through just about anything.
Dragon Rider
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Dragon tale is great for bedtime read-aloud.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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Violence:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Dragon Rider was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that this is meant for fun, not literary discussion.
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- Families can talk about extinction caused by human encroachment.
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More on Dragon Rider
Book Summary
In a valley in Scotland the last of the silver dragons hide from the encroachment of humans. But now this last valley is being invaded too. Firedrake, a young dragon, sets out to find the legendary ancestral home of the dragons, the Rim of Heaven, high in the Himalayas, where dragons can be safe and undisturbed forever. Accompanying him are Sorrel, a crabby brownie, and eventually Ben, an orphan, and Twigleg, a homunculus who may be hiding a treacherous secret.
Following a map drawn by a rat, the trio trek across Europe and the Middle East, heading for India. But they are followed by the spies of Nettlebrand, an artificial golden dragon created to destroy all dragons, who also wants to know where the Rim of Heaven lies, so he can finish the task he was created for.
Is It Any Good?
DRAGON RIDER was actually Cornelia Funke's first book in Germany, but it wasn't offered in English until after the success of her two other books. Despite its excessive length, it's aimed at a younger audience with a simple, straightforward plot, one-dimensional characters, and a gentle approach that, while exciting, eschews violence. The villain is all bark and bad temper, most of the characters are helpful and kind, and the ending is predictable, but satisfying.
It reads like a middle-grade novel -- well, all right, three middle-grade novels. Ambitious young readers will want to read this themselves, but it would be a great extended bedtime read-aloud -- exciting but not too scary, humorous, with short chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Scholastic Inc., Publication date: 10/31/2004
Number of pages: 523, Price: $12.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 9+
Number of pages: 523, Price: $12.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 9+
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
The Dragon Rider
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
i llike this book beacuse it was time for me to return back to class and i was in a hurry and that's when i saw it. i went home and remembered that i had gotten a book and started reading i couln't stop reading chapter by chapter,getting better and better. so i strongly recomend this book to kids who loved reading, i didn't like reading untill i read this book so mothers read to your daughter and sons and make them learn that there is a whole new world just by reading. thank you for your time and never stop reading
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Great Story
This is an amazing book and a must-read for any who love fantasy, adventure, and some comedy. I've always been interested in mythological creatures like Dragons, unicorns, etc., and I think it's great That Cornelia Funke wrote a book that starred dragons, but showed them in a different light than what they're normally given. Usually dragons are portrayed as vicious, treasure-hoarding monsters, but here, they were sentient, and actually gentle creatures. Thumbs up definately!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
perfect for anyone
THIS BOOK WAS T^HE BEST, I read it non-stop until it was finished. i give it a 1000000000000000000000000/5
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
BEST BOOK!!!
I love this book so freaking much! I own it, and I've read it three times! I love Sorell!!
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