- Chapter Books
- Ages 9–13
- Fantasy
Dragonborn
A big, pacey dragon-school fantasy with a strong chosen-identity hook and a proper sense of danger. It is a natural recommendation for readers who want something more intense than cosy magic but not yet full YA fantasy.
- Best for9–13
- FormatChapter
- Length368 pp
- Read aloud~5 hr15 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Literary
Tone
- Adventurous
- Exciting
- Suspenseful
- Heartwarming
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Alex Evans has spent her life being protected, restricted, and kept away from danger by a mother who seems frightened of everything. Then Alex discovers the truth: she is not an ordinary girl at all. She is a dragon, one of many living hidden among humans until something awakens their true nature. Taken to the island of Skralla, Alex must train alongside fierce dragon children and learn what her birthright really means. But powerful dragons are rising, Drak Midna is preparing for war against humanity, and Alex may not have the luxury of learning slowly. Struan Murray's Dragonborn is a high-energy fantasy adventure about identity, grief, power, and finding courage when the world suddenly expects you to become something enormous.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 9–13
- Read aloud · 8–12
- Independent · 9–13
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Low
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: death of parent, violence, scary imagery.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
2 / 5 · Mild
Best for
- Dragon fantasy
- Impossible creatures adjacent
- Chosen identity
- High energy adventure
- Middle grade fantasy
Avoid if
- Very sensitive to fantasy violence
- Wants cosy magic
- Prefers realistic school story
- Needs short books
Particularly good for children who are…
- Bereavement
- Low self esteem
- Anxiety and worry
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A thrilling dragon-fantasy adventure — a page-turner and a great class or free read for fantasy fans.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
- Being special or chosen
- Magic powers
- Secret world
- Proving yourself
- Surviving danger
Why parents love it
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
- Great writing
About the author
Struan Murray.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
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- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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