Content levels
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
On the planet Pern, which was colonised hundreds of years ago by Earth folk looking for a more agrarian lifestyle, "dragons" help humans to fight a deadly Thread that falls from a neighbouring planet as it cycles past once every couple of hundred years. When dragons hatch, each gold (the Queen), bronze, blue or green dragon makes a telepathic connection with a child, and they beome inseparable. Naturally, lads destined to inherit and rule the semi-autonomous Holds cannot be part of this Thread-fighting life, but when young Lord Jaxom sees the struggle the last small egg is having, he can't help himself and runs to its assistance. The poor little runt is white and nobody expects it to live long, so Jaxom is allowed to keep Ruth.
Is The White Dragon appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
YA fantasy with moderate action violence from fighting the deadly Thread. Features a young lord who bonds with an undersized dragon considered a runt, exploring themes of identity and belonging within a feudal society.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death, violence, and ableism.
Who'll love this
Teens will love the underdog story of a boy and his 'runt' white dragon proving everyone wrong while fighting alien threats on a colonized planet.