The Dragon Speaker series from HIP Books – high-action fantasy novels written at a grade-3 reading level for struggling readers in grades 6-10.

The books are available for order from HIP Books here. 

The Dragon Speaker Series

Last Dragon by C.A. Rainfield 

Book One of the Dragon Speaker Series 

In the year 1144, dark times have fallen over the kingdom. Lord Manning rules through fear and magic, and the land’s only hope seems to lie in the Prophecy. The Prophecy says that a dragon speaker will appear to save the kingdom. Yet there are no dragons, and no one who knows how to speak to them … except, perhaps, Jacob of Malden. 

Jacob is an unlikely hero – a small young man who walks with a limp and has the power to speak with birds. But when the last dragon returns, it is only Jacob who can speak with her. It is only Jacob who can call upon her help. And ultimately it is Jacob – with his friends Orson and Lia – who rescues the egg of the world’s last male dragon. 

Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: grades 5-10

A Hero’s Worth by D.M. Ouellet 

Book Two of the Dragon Speaker Series 

Jacob and Orson must prove their worth in the battle against Lord Manning. Just as the baby dragon begins to grow, Lia is taken prisoner by her own father and will soon be forced to marry Lord Manning. 

Jacob and Orson vow to rescue her. Orson manages to enter the castle to compete at the Samain Festival. He lets Jacob inside and the two combine to take on Lord Manning and his wizard, Kain. The battle is violent, with terrible injuries to both sides. Near the end, Kain is reaching into Jacob’s mouth to extract a tooth – to add to his trophies – when there is a noisy surprise. 

Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: grades 5-10

Draco’s Fire by E.L. Thomas 

Book Three of the Dragon Speaker Series 

To fulfill the prophecy, Jacob must bring together the two parts of the comet stone. Jacob expects his friend Orson to help, but Orson betrays him. Soon Lord Manning has both Orson and Lia under his control. He’s ready to force Lia into marriage.

Jacob has only his own courage, and Draco the fully-grown dragon, on his side. But the comet returns, and magic can sometimes work miracles. Draco’s fire is only one part of a spectacular finish to the Dragon Speaker trilogy. 

Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: grades 5-10

Dragon Speaker Teacher’s Guide by Lori Jamison 

One 24-page teacher’s guide covers all three novels. It includes a general introduction to the series and its characters, plot synopses for the novels, discussion and literature circle questions, a quiz for each novel and a set of after-reading activities.