After our son finished the Magic Tree House Books series, we needed another book collection that could hold his attention. Dragon Masters by Tracey West quickly became that series. Filled with dragons, magic, teamwork, adventure, and short chapters designed for developing readers, Dragon Masters has become one of the most popular early chapter book series available today. If you’re looking for the complete Dragon Masters books in order, reading age recommendations, character information, or whether the series is worth buying, this guide covers everything you need to know.

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Editor’s Note (2026): This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated to reflect the current Dragon Masters book order, character information, and latest releases in the series. Our family has now read many of these books multiple times with different children, making Dragon Masters one of the most successful early chapter book series we’ve encountered.

Quick Answer Box

• Latest release: Cave of the Crystal Dragon
• Author: Tracey West
• Total books: 26
• Bonus book: Griffith’s Guide
• Recommended age: 6-9
• Reading level: Early chapter books
• Best place to start: Rise of the Earth Dragon

What Reading Level Are Dragon Masters Books?

Dragon Masters books are best suited for children ages 6–9 who are transitioning from beginner readers into early chapter books. The series uses approachable vocabulary, short chapters, frequent illustrations, and fast-paced adventures that help build reading confidence. In our experience, Dragon Masters works especially well for children who enjoyed Magic Tree House and are ready for slightly more fantasy, action, and ongoing story development.

Dragon Masters Book Series List in Order

Many people ask how many Dragon Masters books there are in Tracey West’s series. There are a total of 33 Dragon Masters books in the series and two special edition bonus books; Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters and The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters for the biggest dragon fans. Books have been published regularly, so stay tuned here for the latest Dragon Masters updates and book news!

1. Rise of the Earth Dragon (Book #1)
2. Saving the Sun Dragon (Book #2)
3. Secret of the Water Dragon (Book #3)
4. Power of the Fire Dragon (Book #4)
5. Song of the Poison Dragon (Book #5)
6. Flight of the Moon Dragon (Book #6)
7. Search for the Lightning Dragon (Book #7)
8. Roar of the Thunder Dragon (Book #8)
9. Chill of the Ice Dragon (Book #9)
10. Waking of the Rainbow Dragon (Book #10)
11. Shine of the Silver Dragon (Book #11)
12. Treasure of the Gold Dragon (Book #12)
13. Eye of the Earthquake Dragon (Book #13)
14. The Land of the Spring Dragon (Book #14)
15. Future of the Time Dragon (Book #15)
16. Call of the Sound Dragon (Book #16)
17. Fortress of the Stone Dragon (Book #17)
18. Heat of the Lava Dragon (Book #18)
19. Wave of the Sea Dragon (Book #19)
20. Howl of the Wind Dragon (Book #20)
21. Bloom of the Flower Dragon (Book #21)
22. Guarding the Invisible Dragons (Book #22)
23. Curse of the Shadow Dragon (Book #23)
24. Dawn of the Light Dragon (Book #24)
25. Legend of the Star Dragon: A Branches Book (Book #25)
26. Cave of the Crystal Dragon: A Branches Book (Book #26)
27. Haunting of the Ghost Dragon
28. Night of the Dream Dragon
29. Magic of the Wizard Dragon
30. Chaos of the Vortex Dragon
31. Defending the Swamp Dragon
32. Heart of the Ruby Dragon (Pre-order, releases February 2, 2027)
33. Claw of the Diamond Dragon (Pre-order, releases February 2, 2027)
34. Return of the Legendary Dragon: Mini-Adventure (This book is outside the established series timeline but included in the 33-book bundle mentioned below – not sold separately)
35. The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters
36. Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters

You are able to purchase a Dragon Masters Complete Series Set (33 Books) in a bundle but be warned this does not include the two newest books (Book #32 Heart of the Ruby Dragon and Book #33 Claw of the Diamond Dragon set for pre-order release February 2, 2027) nor does it include Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters. The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters, which is included, appears to be the more expansive companion guide replacing Griffith’s Guide.

Dragon Masters is a book series your young reader will love. The only shame is that there aren’t more of them! Go get ’em and let me know what you think.

P.S. – Don’t get rid of them too soon if you have multiple kiddos. Our oldest read them all, then our middle child read a few before taking a break, and now we are re-reading them with our middle child and youngest. Phew, so glad we didn’t give them away yet!

Dragon Masters Author Tracey West

Tracey West is a bestselling children’s book author and has written more than 300 books. Her most well known series include Dragon Masters and Pixie Tricks but her total list with big name publishers is extensive. Tracey’s worked with Scholastic, Grosset & Dunlap, National Geographic Children’s Books, HarperFestival, Smithsonian Books, Price Stern Sloan, Simon Spotlight, RH Disney, and Random House (to name a few!).

Tracey West has also written books on Pokemon, Lego, Lego Ninjago, Beyblade, Yu-gi-oh, Star Wars, Bakugan, Transformers, Spongebob, The Powerpuff Girls, Teen Titans, Batman, Poptropica, Kung Fu Panda, Star Wars: the Clone Wars, and Plants vs. Zombies properties. Basically, everything kids love.

Why share all of this while you research Dragon Masters books? Because you should know the range and ability of the author you’re about to purchase from. Your family is likely familiar with one or more of those book property topics and characters, so you’ve got a pretty good idea if similar themes and concepts will come across well in your home.

Dragon Masters Book Series

Although Dragon Masters is a unique book series for kids in its own right, they capture many key elements fans of Pokemon, Lego, or Teen Titans enjoy, like quick-paced storylines, satisfying endings for the main characters, tales young kids understand, adventure, just enough peril to keep the story interesting but not scary, teamwork, and problem solving. There are also lots of illustrations to keep little ones engaged and excited while reading – which they’ll be doing a whole lot of by themselves!

There’s a big reason these books in total contain thousands and thousands of 5-star reviews and I can tell you our son flew through them like only a Dragon Master can. The only downside for us was having to wait for the newer books to be published, which thankfully, is no longer an issue for you!

For those of you wondering about reader age, we recently began re-reading the Dragon Masters series to our 5 year old son who hadn’t expressed interest when he was younger. He is now a ravenous fan!

While our 3 year old daughter did kind of enjoy them, she quickly lost interest. Ideally, children should be 5 or older to get into these books by Tracey West.

Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon (Book #1)

Dragon Masters book #1, Rise of the Earth Dragon kicks off the entire series, and based off Amazon stats of a 5-star ranking with nearly 1,200 reviews, it does an incredible job pulling in new readers.

Rise of the Earth Dragon focuses on an 8 year old boy named Drake and his newfound friends, Ana, Bo, and Rori. All the kids have been brought to King Roland’s castle to become Dragon Masters. As fledgling Dragon Master’s-in-training, the adventurous kids will need to learn new skills to connect with, learn about, and harness exciting dragon abilities.

Each book in the series continues to deepen the plot between good and bad. Eventually, wizards and dark wizards pop up as well as good and bad dragon masters. There are many examples of good and bad teamwork that kids will enjoy reading, not to mention the occasional “I can do it myself!” mantra that, as expected, doesn’t turn out as expected.

Dragon Masters: Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters

A bonus book, Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters, was published December 3, 2019 to accompany the successful series.

Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters details different types of dragons over 144 colored pages. This bonus book is filled with fun facts about dragons, maps of the various worlds encountered in the book series, notes from the wizards and other historical nuggets. Unfortunately, while this book is really, really great for the first 19 books, new books keep being released which makes this anthology need updating.

Thankfully, Tracey West published The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters August 6, 2024 which includes updated information across 256 pages. It appears this book is the replacement for Griffith’s Guide as it is included in the complete bundle set mentioned above while Griffith’s Guide is not included.

Dragon Masters Characters

Each Dragon Masters book introduces a new character, typically a child, into the overarching battle between good and bad. There are the big five (Drake, Ana, Bo, Rori, and wizard Griffith) that are introduced early and presented often, and then many lesser known ones that show up typically in each new book. Here’s an easy table to help you master the characters with information from the books and Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters:

Best Dragon Masters Books for New Readers

• Rise of the Earth Dragon (Book #1)
• Saving the Sun Dragon (Book #2)
• Secret of the Water Dragon (Book #3)

If your child reader enjoys these first three books, it’s safe to keep moving forward for more. But if they have a hard time connecting on Book #1, you may want to consider The Magic Tree House book series.

Why Dragon Masters Works So Well for Early Readers

Finding a book series that keeps young readers engaged can be surprisingly difficult. Dragon Masters succeeds because it combines approachable reading levels with exciting fantasy adventures that make children eager to keep turning pages.

Easy-to-Follow Plots

The Dragon Masters books introduce enough mystery, adventure, and excitement to keep children interested without becoming confusing. Each story has a clear objective, understandable challenges, and satisfying resolutions that help young readers follow the action from beginning to end. Even when the larger series storyline expands, individual books remain easy to understand on their own.

Short Chapters

One of the biggest advantages of Dragon Masters is the chapter length. Most chapters can be read in just a few minutes, allowing children to experience frequent feelings of accomplishment. For developing readers, finishing a chapter quickly builds confidence and encourages them to keep going.

Large Font and Reader-Friendly Layout

The books are designed specifically for children transitioning into independent reading. The larger font size, generous spacing, and manageable page count make the series feel approachable rather than intimidating. Young readers are far less likely to feel overwhelmed compared to longer middle-grade novels.

Frequent Illustrations

Illustrations appear throughout the books and help bring the dragons, characters, and magical world to life. These visual breaks maintain engagement, support comprehension, and provide encouragement for readers who are still building reading stamina.

Clear Good vs. Evil Themes

Children naturally understand and enjoy stories where heroes must overcome challenges and work together against villains. Dragon Masters presents clear conflicts between good and evil without becoming overly dark or frightening. The stakes feel important, but the stories remain age-appropriate for younger readers.

Strong Momentum

Perhaps the greatest strength of the series is its momentum. Something is almost always happening. New dragons appear, mysteries unfold, magical powers develop, and characters face fresh challenges. The fast pace helps reluctant readers stay engaged and gives enthusiastic readers plenty of reasons to pick up the next book immediately.

Together, these elements create a series that feels exciting, accessible, and rewarding. It’s one of the main reasons Dragon Masters has become such a popular choice for children moving beyond beginner readers and into their first long-running chapter book series.

Why Kids Love Dragon Masters

There is no shortage of children’s book series competing for attention, yet Dragon Masters has managed to become a favorite for countless young readers. After reading the series with multiple children in our home, it’s easy to see why the books are so appealing.

Familiar Recurring Characters

One of the biggest strengths of the series is that readers get to spend time with the same characters across dozens of adventures. Children quickly become attached to Drake, Ana, Bo, Rori, Griffith, and their dragons. As the series progresses, readers enjoy watching friendships grow, new Dragon Masters join the team, and characters develop new abilities.

Dragons

Let’s be honest—dragons are cool.

For many children, dragons are enough reason alone to pick up these books. Dragon Masters features dozens of unique dragons with different personalities, appearances, and magical abilities. Each new book often introduces another fascinating dragon, giving readers something exciting to look forward to.

Magic and Adventure

Magic is woven throughout every part of the Dragon Masters world. Wizards, magical powers, enchanted objects, mysterious prophecies, and hidden abilities create a sense of wonder that keeps children engaged. The fantasy elements feel exciting without becoming too complicated for younger readers.

Teamwork and Friendship

While dragons receive much of the attention, teamwork is really at the heart of the series. The Dragon Masters rarely succeed on their own. They learn to trust one another, combine their strengths, solve problems together, and overcome challenges through cooperation. These positive themes make the books both entertaining and meaningful.

Fast-Paced Stories

Dragon Masters wastes very little time getting to the action. New dangers, discoveries, and adventures appear quickly, helping maintain momentum from chapter to chapter. This faster pace is especially appealing for children who may lose interest in slower-moving stories.

Engaging Illustrations

The illustrations scattered throughout each book help bring the characters and dragons to life. Young readers enjoy seeing their favorite dragons on the page, and the artwork helps break up longer sections of text. For developing readers, these illustrations provide both encouragement and additional context.

The Collectability Factor

Once children read a few Dragon Masters books, many want to collect the entire series. Each new dragon, character, and adventure adds to the larger world, making every book feel like an important piece of the collection. The colorful covers, numbered sequence, and growing cast of dragons naturally encourage readers to keep searching for the next book.

Taken together, these elements create a series that feels exciting, approachable, and rewarding. It’s easy to understand why so many children finish one Dragon Masters book and immediately ask for the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Dragon Masters books are there?

There are currently 33 books in the main Dragon Masters series by Tracey West, along with a special companion guide called Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters that was replaced by a newer book named The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters. The series continues to grow, making it one of the largest early chapter book fantasy series available for young readers.

Do Dragon Masters books need to be read in order?

Yes, I strongly recommend reading Dragon Masters in order.

While each book contains its own adventure, the larger story unfolds across multiple books. New Dragon Masters, dragons, villains, and magical abilities are introduced gradually throughout the series. Reading in order helps children understand character relationships and appreciate how the world expands over time.

The best place to start is always Rise of the Earth Dragon (Book #1).

What age are Dragon Masters books for?

Dragon Masters books are generally best suited for children ages 6–9.

The books work particularly well for emerging independent readers because they feature:

• Short chapters
• Large font
• Frequent illustrations
• Straightforward sentence structure
• Fast-paced adventures

Many parents, teachers, and librarians may also enjoy reading them aloud to younger children around ages 4–6.

Are Dragon Masters books similar to Magic Tree House?

Yes, and that is one of the reasons our family discovered them.

Both series feature short chapter books, recurring main characters, adventure-driven plots, and age-appropriate challenges for young readers. However, Dragon Masters leans more heavily into fantasy with dragons, magic, wizards, and ongoing battles between good and evil.

If your child enjoyed Magic Tree House and is ready for something slightly more action-oriented, Dragon Masters is an excellent next step.

Is Dragon Masters good for reluctant readers?

Absolutely.

One of the biggest strengths of Dragon Masters is how quickly the stories move. The books introduce action early, include plenty of illustrations, and keep chapters short enough that progress feels achievable.

Many children who struggle to stay engaged with longer novels enjoy Dragon Masters because each book provides a complete adventure while also encouraging them to continue through the larger series.

Who is the strongest Dragon Master?

That depends on how you define strength.

Drake is the central character throughout much of the series and develops powerful abilities with his Earth Dragon, Worm. However, many Dragon Masters possess unique strengths connected to their dragons’ special powers.

Part of the fun of the series is watching new Dragon Masters join the group and discovering how their abilities contribute to the team. Different readers often have different favorites.

What is Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters?

Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters is a special companion book that expands the Dragon Masters universe after the first 19 books were published.

It includes:

• Dragon information
• Character profiles
• Maps
• Wizard notes
• Background lore
• Additional details about the world of Dragon Masters

It is not required reading, but children who love the series will likely enjoy the extra information and colorful illustrations.

Keep in mind The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters (256 pages) was released much later and appears to be a replacement companion book for Griffith’s Guide (144 pages).

Are more Dragon Masters books coming?

Possibly. We already know book #32 and #33 are set for release February 2, 2027.

Tracey West has continued expanding the series for many years, and new books have been released regularly. Because of the series’ popularity, many readers expect additional adventures in the future.

If your child finishes the current books, it is worth checking for new releases since Scholastic has continued supporting the series with additional titles and special editions over time.

I think what we will likely see is spin-off series perhaps for a different reader age rather than additional books to keep the story going.

Final Thoughts

Dragon Masters has earned a permanent place on our bookshelf. Between the exciting dragons, approachable reading level, recurring characters, and steady stream of adventures, it has become one of the easiest book series for us to recommend to young readers.

If your child enjoys fantasy, dragons, magic, teamwork, and action-packed chapter books, Dragon Masters is an excellent next step after series like Magic Tree House. With more than 30 books available and new releases continuing to arrive, there is plenty of reading material to keep young Dragon Masters busy for quite a while.

And if your family has already discovered the series, I’d love to hear which dragon, character, or book was your favorite.

Curious what book series moved onto next? Warrior Cats!