Mella knows that true dragons—huge dangerous beasts that breathe fire—only exist in legend. Common dragons, the small domestic creatures kept in the yard as providers of the prized eggs that Mella’s mother whips into her famous breakfast dish, aren’t perilous or intimidating. So when a stranger arrives at the Inn and claims to be a Knight of the Order of Defenders in search of a rogue dragon of the ancient variety, Mella is skeptical. She’s converted into a believer after encountering a massive dragon in the forest, and she promises the dying beast to deliver its precious egg to the secret Hatching Grounds. Accompanied by Roger, a squire hiding some mysteries of his own, Mella sets off on a thrilling and treacherous quest to fulfill her vow. This fresh fantasy stars a smart and independent heroine who bravely takes on a momentous responsibility in order to honor her promise. (Ages 8–11)