SOLVED. Tween Fantasy book. Dragon terrorizes lands but eventually protects the people. Years later, after a battle, children protect the dragon's misshapen green egg. Read around 1995-1999. Spoilers ahead.

[Jade]

I read this probably between 1995-99, it was a book in my grade school library, but I think it was published maybe in the 80's. I vaguely remember it seeming older. I was a weird kid I always looked at the copyright date back then. I can't remember any of the character's names.

The book starts out with a dragon terrorizing the lands. The people send messengers to come to an agreement with her, but she keeps killing them. She finally understands the message and lets the messenger return unharmed, thus starting a pact with the people. They provide her with food, and she protects their lands.

Many peaceful years go by and the dragon grows old, and lays several eggs. The man tasked with providing food for her is also helping care for the eggs with his 3-4? children. The oldest and youngest are boys, there was at least 1 girl, maybe 2. The man hopes to bond his oldest son to the big black egg, seemingly the strongest egg of the litter.

Flashback in the story: when the youngest son was a toddler he teetered into the dragon's nest. The father drew his sword, knowing he would not cover the distance in time to save his son. But the dragon simply looked at the boy and dropped her head to take a nap. I remember something along the lines of 'she was lonely, the young boy was curious to her, so she held her flame'. From then on the boy and dragon had a special friendship. Not so much a bond, but a connection.

Back to present times, the father and his children are inside the dragon's cave. They brought her food and the father was cleaning up inside when villagers come to slay the old dragon and steal her eggs to sell. A battle ensues, the old dragon dies saving the youngest boy's life. The father also dies, and all the eggs are destroyed except a green misshapen egg. The father's dying wish is for the children to protect the misshapen egg.

This all happens within the first couple chapters. I remember the children follow their father's request, they each take turns carrying the egg on their journey to wherever they are going.

Later on in the book it turns out the big black egg was NOT destroyed and one of the 'evil' villagers managed to bond with it. I think the green egg ends up hatching and the dragon bonds with the youngest boy, but I can't remember for sure.

I remember when I read it, there should have been more. This was back when the internet was very new and things weren't as easy to find, I remember searching for more info even then but no luck. But I felt like maybe it was the first in a trilogy or saga because I cannot remember the end.. I don't think it had a true ending. But this was a good 20-25 years ago. I've already sent a request in to the school whose library I borrowed the book from.. but no luck so far.

[Kris]

Jade, I added some details and a spoiler alert to the header/topic title at the top of the page, so your book might be recognized from that description alone. Many members only read the headers.

You can update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app. (On the Mobile website, click the "Desktop version" link at the bottom of the page.)

[Jade]

Kris wrote: "Jade, I added some details and a spoiler alert to the header/topic title at the top of the page, so your book might be recognized from that description alone. Many members only read the headers.

Y..."

Thanks!

[Kris]

You're welcome.

[Jade]

I FOUND IT!! It's called 'Children of the Dragon' by Rose Estes. I tried to link the book but it's not showing in the list.

Rose Estes

I'm new here, how do I move this to solved?

PS I was right, it was published in 1985.

[Rainbowheart]

Glad you found it!

Children of the Dragon for the link.