From devoted friends to wise teachers to ferocious beasts, you'll find dragons of all varieties in our collection of Mighty Girl dragon stories!
When you talk about fantastic creatures, some people picture fairies, or unicorns, or elves — and some picture dragons! Your Mighty Girl may imagine herself as the daring soul who cows the dragon by force of arm or clever wit, or she might picture herself with a devoted dragon friend, flying to new heights and learning arcane secrets. With versions of dragons in almost every culture, filling every role from devoted mentors to ferocious beasts, there’s probably a dragon to suit any Mighty Girl’s dream.
So if your Mighty Girl loves all things draconic, she’ll love the products we’re featuring in this blog! Here, she’ll find dragon stories of all kinds — from those based in folklore and fairy tale to those dreamed up by modern imagination — as well as great dress-up options for when her own imagination takes over. So get ready for some adventure — here there be dragons!
Mighty Girl Books About Dragons
Twinkle's Fairy Pet Day
Twinkle's Fairy Pet Day
Twinkle the fairy is back, and this time, she's hoping to get the perfect pet! But while Pippa and Lulu end up with an adorable butterfly and a cute ladybug, Twinkle's pet spell summons... a green dragon named Scruffy. Scruffy is rambunctious and a little bit naughty, and Twinkle struggles to train him to behave, no matter how politely she asks. Finally, on Fairy Pet Day — when she's sure things will be a disaster — she decides on a different tack: "Just do your best, Scruffy," she says. And it turns out that with a little encouragement, Scruffy can be just the pet she hoped for! This sparkly and funny book will remind young readers about the power of unconditional love.
The Paper Bag Princess
The Paper Bag Princess
This classic independent princess book features Princess Elizabeth, who is living a normal life in a castle with beautiful dresses and a Prince named Ronald to marry, when her life is turned upside down by a dragon — who destroys her castle and clothes and carries Ronald away! Undaunted, Elizabeth pulls on a paper bag and sets off to get her Prince back. Elizabeth very cleverly defeats the dragon, but Prince Ronald is totally unappreciative: “You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess.” Needless to say, Elizabeth’s happily ever after will NOT be including Prince Ronald!
Have You Seen My Blankie?
Have You Seen My Blankie?
Princess Alice adores her blankie, so when it goes missing she won't rest until she finds it. As she tracks the clues, she discovers her brother was using it as a curtain... then a giant took it to use as a hankie... until a witch stole it to use as a cloak... and now it's in the hands of a sleeping dragon! But when Alice tries to snatch her blankie back, she finds herself in a tug-of-war with a very weepy dragon who wants his own special snuggly. After a few missteps (the witch's cat is too scratchy to cuddle, while the feathers in the giant's pillow make him sneeze) Alice finds the dragon the perfect comfort — and earns a lifelong friend in the process. Cheerful rhyming text make this a perfect read aloud, while both children and adults alike will be charmed by Alice's compassionate response to a creature who just wants his own lovey to cuddle.
Raya and the Last Dragon Little Golden Book
Raya and the Last Dragon Little Golden Book
A lone warrior named Raya is on a quest to find the last dragon in hopes of healing the broken land of Kumandra — and saving everyone from evil spirits called the Druun. When she finally the dragon she's been seeking, Sisu is not as powerful as Raya had hoped, but gathering the pieces of the fractured Dragon Gem might give her the ability to defeat the Druun for good. To do so, Raya will have to bring together people from all five kingdoms — and learn for herself the power of trust. Inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, and exploring themes of community and hope, this Little Golden Book adaptation is perfect for young fans of the film.
Raising Dragons
Raising Dragons
A little girl finds an odd egg on her “Sunday-before-supper walk” — which hatches a green dragon she immediately names Hank. Raising a dragon isn’t simple, even if Hank proves to be very helpful around the farm, and when Hank starts to attract too much attention, she has to escort him home to the Island of Dragons to live out his days. However, a good dragon keeper is hard to find, and it’s not long before a whole wheelbarrow full of eggs shows up from the island. A delightful story with a folksy tone, this one is sure to be a favorite.
Ellie's Dragon
Ellie's Dragon
Tiny Ellie is thrilled when she finds a newborn dragon in the grocery store! The adults can't see Scratch, but he becomes her best friend, and even joins her at preschool, where her friends are amazed. Even when he starts to grow, he somehow always fits in Ellie's room when she needs him. But once Ellie goes to kindergarten, Scratch stays home, and slowly, he becomes less and less a part of her life. And when her 13th birthday comes, he's just a faint image of what he was and slips away into the night.... where he meets a little boy named Sam. Wistful and heartfelt, this picture book by a master author/illustrator is a celebration of imagination and friendship, even as it acknowledges what we leave behind as we grow.
Dragons and Marshmallows
Dragons and Marshmallows
When Zoey finds a glowing photo, she learns an amazing secret: magical animals are real — and they come to her backyard for help when they're sick or injured. Her first patient is a sick baby dragon that Zoey names Marshmallow. Zoey and her cat Sassafras need to find out what's ailing Marshmallow quickly, so they'll have to apply the scientific method to the problem! This new early chapter book series has the perfect mix of science, mystery, and magical creatures. Fans of this volume will want to check out the entire Zoey and Sassafras series or this Wrapped Set of the first six books in the series.
Dragon Girls: Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon
Dragon Girls: Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon
Azmina has just moved from the city to the country, but she's already met two girls she hopes will become good friends, Willa and Naomi. And when Azmina feels called to explore the forest near her new home, something amazing happens: she transforms into a dragon and gets summoned to a Magic Forest — and so do Willa and Naomi! Guided by its magnificent ruler, the Tree Queen, the girls explore their incredible dragon abilities — including flight, glittery fire, and ferocious roars — and learn about their new responsibility to protect the magic of the forest from the mischievous Shadow Sprites. This fun series opener, full of fantasy, friendship, and dragons, is sure to be a hit with young readers.
Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons
Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons
Princess Serena (or, as she prefers to be known, Princess Pulverizer) wants to be a knight, but her father, King Alexander of Empiria, isn't sure that Serena knows how to behave valiantly. So he presents her with a challenge: if she can complete eight good deeds during a Quest of Kindness, she can go to Knight School. Princess Pulverizer has a lot to learn, but with a timid knight and a burping dragon as new friends, she's confident she can prove her mettle and win the day! This hilarious series opener full of wacky adventure and delightfully twisted fantasy tropes is perfect for fans of The Princess in Black who have advanced to the next reading level.
The Dragon in the Library
The Dragon in the Library
Outdoorsy 10-year-old Kit hates to read, so she only goes to the library to indulge her best friends, Josh and Alita — until she discovers that touching certain books makes her travel to a magical place. It turns out that Kit is a wizard, something that surprises the head librarian, Faith, who says that most wizards don't show their gifts until they're 18. Now, Kit's abilities may be the only thing that can save the library from the power-hungry CEO Mr. Salt — and keep the slumbering dragon inside it from wreaking havoc. But first, Kit will have to learn to control her impulsiveness and truly trust her friends! This hilarious and fantastical series opener, packed with playful illustrations, is perfect for readers who appreciate magical adventure with a witty sense of humor.
Princeless
Princeless
Princess Adrienne Ashe’s parents lock her in a tower, guarded by a dragon, on her sixteenth birthday — so she can be rescued by the handsome prince, of course. But Adrienne isn’t willing to sit on her hands and wait, so when she finds a sword in her tower, Adrienne recruits the dragon, Sparky, and the new friends set out to rescue Adrienne’s sisters, each of whom is locked in her own tower. A swashbuckling tale of adventure with tongue-in-cheek references to TV and comic tropes about princesses, this graphic novel is sure to be a favorite with both kids and their parents. Fans can find more of Adrienne's adventures in our Princeless Collection.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Minli wishes she understood why her hardworking family struggles to keep body and soul together. Her father tells her stories of the Old Man in the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions, so Minli decides to find him and ask how she can change her family’s fortunes. Along the way, she meets a flightless dragon, who joins her on her journey. But when she meets the Old Man in the Moon and has the chance to ask a question, perhaps it will be her concern for Dragon that really changes the family’s fate. This 2010 Newbery Honor book has the feeling of a folktale, and is accented by Lin’s exquisite full-color illustrations.
Iron Hearted Violet
Iron Hearted Violet
The main character of this story discovers that a dragon can be a devoted ally. When lonely Violet accidentally frees a legendary evil being called Nybbas, she thinks she’s brought doom to everyone she loves. But she and her friend Demetrius realize that she might just be able to save it — with the help of an ancient, scarred dragon, the last in the world. After all, stories have their own power, and so do dragons... This fascinating fantasy story with a suitably intimidating villain provides a new perspective on dragon myths.
Dragon's Milk
Dragon's Milk
Kaeldra’s foster sister’s life is threatened by a deadly disease, and dragon’s milk is the only thing that might save her. Kaeldra’s family has the knack of speaking with dragons, but Kaeldra won’t know if she’s inherited the trait until she’s in the dragon’s cave. She dares the journey — with success — but Kaeldra’s task becomes more complicated when the mother dragon is slain and she has to bring three defenseless draclings home. Any girl who’s dreamed of having her own baby dragon will love this story. Young readers can continue Kaeldra's story in Flight of the Dragon Kyn, Sign of the Dove, and Ancient, Strange, and Lovely.
The Girl Who Drank The Moon
The Girl Who Drank The Moon
The Elders claim that a witch in the forest demands the sacrifice of one newborn baby a year — but kind and gentle Xan actually rescues the babies abandoned by the Elders. When she accidentally feeds a rescued baby moonlight instead of starlight, she develops powerful magic, so Xan decides to raise this child as her own, alongside her companions the Swamp Monster, Glerk, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon named Fyrian — who, despite his size, thinks of himself as enormous. As Luna approaches her 13th birthday, she will face new challenges to protect the people she loves. This award-winning fantasy is complex and beautiful, and dragon fans in particular will adore Fyrian's delightful and childlike ways.
The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart
The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart
When Aventurine the dragon is lured by the delicious aroma of a cup of enchanted hot chocolate, she gets transformed into a weak, vulnerable 12-year-old girl! The trade off is that she has a new passion — and the chance to learn to make the confection herself. But can Aventurine figure out the human world well enough to reconcile her human and dragon identities...and can a mere chocolate apprentice save the kingdom? It turn out that combining magic, chocolate, and dragons makes a recipe for a delicious story! For more adventures in Aventurine's world, check out the companion, The Girl With The Dragon Heart.
The Dragon Warrior
The Dragon Warrior
12-year-old Faryn Liu wants to be a warrior in the Jade Society — but since her father disappeared, she and her brother Alex have been outcasts. On a trip into Chinatown to get her Ye Ye's medicine, though, Faryn helps a stranger in a battle with a nián monster. The stranger turns out to be Erlang Shen, the god of war, who urges Faryn to attempt a challenge from the Jade Emperor that could win her the fabled title of Heaven Breaker. With her brother — and a few unlikely allies — Faryn will have to see if she has what it takes... and if she's willing to make the sacrifices necessary. This magical adventure full of humor and heart, and starring a multiracial protagonist determined to prove herself, will delight middle grade readers and leave them eager for the sequel.
Handbook for Dragon Slayers
Handbook for Dragon Slayers
Princess Tilda isn't entirely upset when political upheaval sends her fleeing her kingdom — the bookish and club-footed princess would prefer to study, and maybe even author a book someday. But in her travels with two would-be dragon slayers, Tilda will do things she never imagined — and discover that dragons are more than they appear. Her change of heart will also change her kingdom forever. This unique take on the dragon myth is the perfect addition to a truly exciting coming-of-age novel.
Alliana, Girl of Dragons
Alliana, Girl of Dragons
When she was younger, Alliana and her beloved grandmother shared fairy tales, and she dreamed of traveling to the capital city and meeting the queen. But when her grandmother died, Alliana was bound to her wicked stepmother, who demands Alliana clean her family's inn and embroider ball gowns for her stepsister. Then Alliana meets a young nightdragon — who Alliana can somehow talk to — and a young witch named Nela. Nela needs help navigating the abyss full of dangerous beasts, and Alliana knows it like the back of her hand... but if she's caught helping Nela, Alliana will never escape her stepmother. Set in the same magical world as the Eva Evergreen series, and inspired by the Japanese Cinderella story, this magical tale is perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine.
Dragon Pearl
Dragon Pearl
13-year-old Min's family are fox spirits — but her mother insists that they conceal their abilities. So Min can't wait to follow her older brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and finally get away from home and her boring planet. But when Jun disappears, supposedly deserting his post to search for the legendary Dragon Pearl — a magical jewel that can terraform planets — Min will need all her fox magic to try to clear his name. As she impersonates a dead cadet, Min must look for her brother and avenge the cadet's death with the help of unexpected allies, including the dragon Haneul and the goblin Sujin, all while evading notice by the ship's captain. Part space opera, part Korean mythology, this unique and complex story will enthrall tween readers.
Ember and the Ice Dragons
Ember and the Ice Dragons
12-year-old Ember St. George was born a dragon, but when a magician found her next to her fire-dragon parents, slain for their scales, he transformed her into a human girl to protect her. Unfortunately, her draconic gifts are still present — including an uncontrolled ability to create fire. After an accident, Ember decides to live with her Aunt Myra at a research station in Antarctica, where she even makes a few friends. But when she discovers that there is an annual hunt for ice dragons, can she sabotage the hunt — without her true identity being discovered? This original, rich fantasy is sure to delight middle grade readers who will cheer Ember on.
Dragon Slippers
Dragon Slippers
When her aunt uses the orphan girl Creel as bait for a dragon — and therefore a prince — as a way to drag the family out of poverty, Creel befriends the dragons instead! With encouragement from her new friends, and a gift of a mysterious pair of slippers, Creel moves to the city and opens a dress shop, only to find herself drawn into a conflict that could spell the end of both the kingdom and the dragons. With an epic world, exciting action, and vivid description, this book is sure to captivate young readers. Creel (and the dragons’) story also continues in the sequels, Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear.
Spark
Spark
12-year-old Mina's home of Alorria enjoys beautiful weather, thanks to the storm beasts and their bonded human guardians, who ensure the climate stays warm and pleasant. Mina is eager to have a storm beast of her own, but everyone is shocked when she hatches a lightning beast: lightning guardians are normally "brash and loud and brave." Mina may be quiet, but she is brave, which she proves when she and Pixit, her lightning beast, discover that her country's weather comes at a terrible price. A unique fantasy setting and appealing dragon-like storm beasts will leave readers wishing they could leap into Mina's world. For another compelling middle grade fantasy from this author, check out The Stone Girl's Story for ages 9 to 13.
The Hero and the Crown
The Hero and the Crown
Aerin is the king of Damar’s only child; she should be his heir, but because her mother was a witchwoman from the North, Damarians don’t trust her. But Aerin’s destiny is to battle the black dragon, Maur; meet the wizard Luthe, who gives her both the Blue Sword, Gonturan, and the truth about her mother; and face the evil mage, Agsded, who has taken the Hero’s Crown — the secret strength of Damar itself. This Newbery Award-winning novel features a complex and daring main character and an intriguing fantasy world. Fans of this book can also check out the sequel, The Blue Sword.
The Last Dragonslayer
The Last Dragonslayer
In the unUnited Kingdoms, magic used to be the most powerful force there was... but as the dragons have died off, it's been drying up. Today, magic is most often used for mundane tasks, like rewiring a house or delivering pizza via flying carpet. At Kazam Mystical Arts Management, 15-year-old acting director Jennifer Strange is struggling to keep the business afloat when the Seers predict the death of the last dragon — and people think she'll be the Last Dragonslayer. Now, she finds herself fighting off commercial endorsements, driving a Slayermobile... oh, and trying to stop a war between two kingdoms. The result is a magical, sometimes dark, and always hilarious adventure that will delight teen and adult readers alike. You can read more of Jennifer Strange's adventures in the other books of the three-part Chronicles of Kazam series.
Dragonsong
Dragonsong
Menolly, a 15-year-old fisher's daughter, loves music and has dreamed all her life of learning the Harper's craft. When her stern father forbids Menolly from pursuing her dream, she runs away just as Pern is struck again by the deadly danger of Threadfall, the killing ropes of death that fell from a nearby star — and the dwindling numbers of dragons are not enough to protect Pern from this destruction from the sky. Taking shelter in a cave by the sea, Menolly makes a miraculous discovery of nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world... and change her life forever. Dragonsong is the first book in the Harper Hall trilogy, set within science fiction legend Anne McCaffrey’s beloved and bestselling Dragonriders of Pern series.
The Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy Box Set
The Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy Box Set
Anne McCaffrey's beloved Harper Hall trilogy introduces readers to Menolly — and her nine fire lizards, miniature versions of the dragons that sear Pern's skies of deadly Thread! 15-year-old Menolly's family believes that her love of music — and dreams of becoming a Harper, one of the musicians and teachers of Pern — is disgraceful in a girl, and they forbid her even to hum a tune. When she runs away, finding shelter in a seaside cave, she finds herself bonded to nine of fire lizard hatchlings — an event that could both save her world and change her life forever! This stunning box set includes paperback editions of Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and Dragondrums. For the original Pern trilogy, which we recommend for ages 14 and up, check out The Dragonriders of Pern.
Seraphina
Seraphina
The rational, mathematical dragons, who can take humanoid form, have long warred against their human counterparts — but for now, there is an unsettled peace. Seraphina, a gifted musician, joins the court just before a member of the royal family is murdered — apparently by a dragon. As she is drawn into the investigation, Seraphina struggles with protecting the secret of her connection to both sides of the conflict: her half-dragon heritage. Fans of Seraphina can read the continuation of her story in Shadow Scale.
Tess of the Road
Tess of the Road
Tess is the black sheep of her family, always speaking out of turn and getting into trouble. When she drunkenly punches her new brother-in-law at her twin Jeanne's wedding, her parents decide that's the last straw and plan to send her to a nunnery. Instead, she cuts her hair, disguises herself as a boy, and hits the road with her Quigutl, a small dragon species, on a quest to find the rumored World Serpent. Along the way, Tess will confront past trauma, rediscover who she is, and find her own path in the world. This fantasy adventure set in the world of Seraphina and Shadow Scale explores how girls are taught to blame themselves even when others are at fault — and the power of journeys to reveal truths to those who walk them.
The Dragonriders of Pern
The Dragonriders of Pern
Only a few of the people of Pern still believe the stories of deadly Thread falling from the sky — so the dragonriders, Pern's defense against Thread, have dwindled in number, and the populace is completely unprepared. Lessa, the lone queen dragonrider, is determined to find a solution to save her world, but it will take every bit of her strong will — and the power of her bond with her dragon — to fill the Weyrs again in time for Thread's arrival. All three of Anne McCaffrey's original Pern books are collected in this volume, perfect to introduce new readers to the series. Fans of the Pern stories will also enjoy checking out Dragonsdawn, which explores the colonists' arrival on Pern and the creation of their dragon partners.
Additional recommended resources
- For more Mighty Girl stories featuring mythical creatures, check out our selection of stories based on fairy tales and folktales.
- For more fantasy stories of starring Mighty Girls, visit our Fantasy section.
