Curse of the Shadow Dragon

Drake and Worm meet a Shadow Dragon in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

A huge shadow is blanketing the sky, spreading across every kingdom. And wizards all over the world are losing their magic powers! The Dragon Masters soon discover that a Shadow Dragon named Chaya and his Dragon Master, Aruna, are responsible for the sky-shadow. Drake teams up with Jean to figure out how this Shadow Dragon has so much power. Will they stop the sky-shadow, or will the world fall into complete darkness? And is evil magic to blame for all this chaos?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this action-packed adventure!

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Fantasy Childrens Middle Grade Dragons

Release date: March 7, 2023

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Tracey West

Long before her name became synonymous with the Dragon Masters series, Tracey West was a quiet force in children's literature—crafting worlds where reluctant heroes find courage, dragons bond with kids, and friendship is just as powerful as magic. Her stories don’t just entertain; they invite young readers to discover strength in teamwork and the thrill of an unfolding mystery. With a knack for making complex ideas accessible, West has earned a loyal readership among emerging readers—and a place on countless classroom and library shelves.

Born in New Jersey, West grew up surrounded by books and eventually made them the centerpiece of her career. Her journey into writing wasn’t one of overnight success, but rather one of persistence, versatility, and an unwavering connection to what captivates a child’s imagination. Before she ever wrote about fire dragons or wizarding trials, she was cutting her teeth on writing projects that demanded adaptability—ghostwriting for popular franchises and crafting chapter books that respected the intelligence of young readers.

What sets her work apart is a seamless blend of fast-paced adventure and emotional grounding. In the Dragon Masters books—part of Scholastic’s Branches line—West builds an accessible fantasy world that speaks directly to kids who are just beginning to fall in love with reading. Short chapters, cliffhanger endings, and richly imagined dragons keep the pages turning, while underlying themes of empathy, bravery, and loyalty give the stories depth. It's no surprise the series has sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages, sparking a global fandom of young dragon enthusiasts.

But West’s influence isn’t limited to dragons alone. Her broader body of work includes more than 300 titles, ranging from Pokémon adaptations to nonfiction explorations of real-world topics for curious young minds. Her ability to shift tone and format without losing her voice is a testament to both her technical skill and her understanding of what children need from the stories they read—clarity, excitement, and a sense of belonging.

For West, writing for children is not about simplifying the world, but about opening doors to it. Whether she's guiding readers through ancient ruins or letting them soar on the wings of a dragon, she invites them to see themselves as brave, clever, and capable of shaping their own stories.

And in doing so, Tracey West continues to quietly redefine what children’s literature can be—not flashy or preachy, but enduring, inclusive, and full of wonder.

Dragon Masters

Not every adventure begins with a sword or prophecy—sometimes, it starts with a quiet boy plucked from a turnip farm and brought to a castle full of secrets. That’s the heart of Dragon Masters, a fantasy chapter book series that has quietly transformed reluctant readers into passionate page-turners across the globe.

At its core, the series thrives on the magic of discovery. Young characters from ordinary lives are chosen to bond with dragons—each one tied to an elemental force, each with a story of its own. But these aren’t just battles of fire and ice. These are stories of friendship, trust, and the growing strength that comes from believing in something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s the telepathic connection between dragon and rider, the mysterious threats lurking beneath castle stone, or the way each challenge nudges the characters toward courage, the world here is designed to grow with its readers.