Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races

Gr 5–8—Desert-dweller Silver Batal knows in her heart that she's destined to race water dragons, but the desert lacks both water and dragons. Turns out her dragon bond, Hiyyan, will come to her—and Silver, along with her cousin Brajon, must embark on a dangerous quest to save Hiyyan's mother. A perilous journey brings them into contact with bloodsucking worms, vicious cave monsters, and (most deadly of all) the world's greatest dragon racer, Sagittaria Wonder. Can two kids outwit a scheming queen, cutthroat competitors, and a prince in hiding? This book will appeal to fans of the "Rick Riordan Presents" series as it features the same well-known combination of action, adventure, and magic. There's quite a bit left to the imagination, but fans of the genre will be willing to forgive the somewhat flat world-building and thin descriptions of the dragons (Hiyyan could just as easily be an over-large dog, with his goofy grin and slobbering tongue) once they get to the dragon races. And while the untrained Silver's win over experienced racers may strain credulity for the adults in the room, the intended audience won't care.