Further Reading
News | Posted by Carole on Friday 18 May 2007
I’ve had some emails and blog comments from readers who are disappointed there won’t be another Dragonkeeper book. I think that three is a good number for a series, and I’m looking forward to writing something completely different.
Lydia asked me if I could recommend any other books for her to read. I don’t read a lot of books for young people myself. I’m a very slow reader and I always have heaps of books to read for research. Also I worry about picking up other writers’ ideas without realising it. However, my daughter Lili works at the Centre for Youth Literature, so she knows all about kids’ books. I asked her to come up with a list of books that people who enjoyed Dragonkeeper might like. This is what she said:
The Keys to the Kingdom series Garth Nix
Pure Dead series Debi Gliori
The Chanters of Tremaris series Kate Constable
The Laws of Magic series Michael Pryor
Karazan Quartet V M Jones
They all look terrific, I’m going to have to find some time to read them myself.
There are many more recommended books at the Centre for Youth Literature’s great website insideadog.
Please note that the insideadog website is for readers 12 and over.
Cornelius,
I appreciate your comments, but I just don’t want to write another one in the series.
The recommended books aren’t similar to Dragonkeeper, but books people who liked dragonkeeper also liked.
number one fan,
thanks for that. Glad to hear that you and other kids from your school like my books.
I hope you change your mind and write a fourth Dragon Keeper its my favorite series and has a great storyline!!!!!! so please write another one!
Mika,
Well you see if I tried to write another one it wouldn’t have a great storyline. You have to be really enthusiastic about a story to write a novel. It’s hard work.
dear carole,
i loved your books on dragons!! but i cant seem to find a really good book to read. i love to read stuff about china. please can you recomened a book?
zahra,
No I can’t recommend a book, I’m afraid. Perhaps someone else reading this post will be able to recommend something.
A while back I did a post about other books recommended by other people. You can find it at
http://www.carolewilkinson.com.au/news/2007/05/18/further-reading/
I have to admit,fantasy is not my favorite type of books. I think its the history AND the fantasy that makes DragonKeeper so good. So can you write another history and fantasy book? Can you also make it fiction? How about write a book about a native american in the 1300′s? A native american sounds cool. Or even another book about a chinese dragon? Mabey one about Danzi’s ancestors. Or even one of Kai’s grandchildren.
Ashlyn,
I have to write what I want to write, I’m afraid. It has to be a story I’m really interested in myself, otherwise I would never sit there for a year writing it.
I’m from Australia. I don’t know anything about Native Americans.
I have ideas for my next three or four books. They are all historical novels. No fantasy.
OK,I like history better than fantasy anyways. Is it going to be about Australian history? I really want to learn about your country.
Ashlyn,
No not Australian history. I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet. It’s too early. It won’t be out till 2010.
I’ll just wait then. Now that I’m done with the DragonKeeper series I’m reading “The City of Ember”. And when I’m done I’m gonna watch the movie! And guess what? I’m on the third draft of my book! My friend loves it! even the the second draft. I’m calling it “The Gem of the Universe” for now. But I think I’m gonna change the title soon. I’m not very sure about the name. P.S,I think bilby lovers would adore it. Also if they have a good sense of humor!
Sorry I’m bragging to much about this. I’m just very excited. Because I’m almost finished with my comic “Hola Ito!”,my second manga. It may be funny,but not as good as “Hydro Kitty”.
Ashlyn,
Sounds like you have been very busy.
I have enjoyed your books and read Dragon Keeper in one day it was so good. I hope you write more books like this trilogy, thanks.
Ellen,
I am always writing something, but I like a bit of variety, so no more dragon books for a while.
Hey everyone. I live in the UK so I dont know if you can get the books I recommend, but I read a lot of books and Dragonkeeper is one of my favourites because its set in ancient China and its magical and really gets you hooked. One of my other favourites is the Wardstone Chronicles by Joseph Delaney, its nothing like dragonkeeper but if you like Harry Potter youll love it. I also like the Larklight series by Philip reeves which is set in space, but in the 1980′s and is fun and full of action. And finally I like the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy, its full of action and evil villains and keeps you hooked. The Dragonology series is also great if you like dragons and adventure, it is a large series and you can get storybooks and all sorts of books with facts about dragons.
I recommend this series: The Five Ancestors if you like to read about books in anciet china. It has adveture,action, and surprises around every page. It is a great series by Jeff Stone.
Danny, ECL,
Thanks for those suggestions.
Hey There Carole,
In Language Arts class we had to read the Dragon Keeper book. It was great. I am looking forward to reading the 2nd and 3rd books in the Dragon Keeper Series. In class we are also doing projects about the Dragon Keeper and you. You have a great website. Thanks for the great books,
Robert K.
Mrs. Wilkinson, I love your dragon keeper series! Maybe you don’t remember, but you were our school’s,Shanghai American School,visiting author last year! Our school is doing projects on them!!!!!!
Robert K,
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed dragonkeeper. I hope you enjoy the other two as well.
Stephanie,
I certainly do remember! I’m glad to hear that you are doing projects on Dragon Keeper.
Twilight is a great book. It’s not about dragons, but I like it. But the book’s for young adults though. Carole, if you hadn’t read it, please do! I even made my mom and aunt read it! They both loved it! Please please please please please please please read it if you havn’t! If you can’t buy one in Australia, I’ll happily send you mine, but you have to return it though.
Ashlynn,
Thanks for the offer. The book is available here in Australia, but I have a stack of books to read at the moment.
I agree, the Keys to the Kindoms series is good. I strongly recommend the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I’m sure you have it in Australia. And it’s about dragons, if that helps.
Hi!! i have som suggestions to!
for maybe 9-12 year olds, the “my secret unicorn” series by linda chapman is great! I read all of the 15 books and they are all as fantastic as eachother! reccomeded for anyone who loves fantasy and ponies! The first book is the magic spell by the way. Its a really popular kid’s novel
its about a 9 year olf girl named lauren who has always dreamed of having her own pony. then, one day her dream comes true and she gets her own pony named twilight. but, there is more to her new pony tha it looks.
to carole wilkinson
thankyou for writing the dragonkeeper trilogy. as i read the end of dragonmoon, i was shocked! but a great story! i even got my mum toread the series. i have just finished dragon dawn and now i am about to start reading th dragon companion.
your beatifuly written stories has inspired me and given me ideas because i dream of becoming a children’s book writer some day.
thankyou
kahlia,
Thanks for the suggestions, and for your kind comments.
I am sad that there will be no more Dragon Keeper books. But there are other books I love. Thank you for inspiring so many people to write!
i read garden of the purple dragon.i thought you said there were only three books in the trilogy? garden of the purple dragon is the fourth book. but how do i get the other three books? where are they sold? how did she get on the mountain of tai shan? i thought the necromancer was dead. and whos diao? if you didnt make garden of the purple dragon i would never have known about your books i am begging you to make a new book. the begging start in three two one: please please please please please please please please please please please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease make a new book
Justyn,
There are three books in the trilogy. Garden of PD is the middle one. Then in addition there is a prequel called Dragon Dawn.
I don’t know where you live so I can’t suggest where you can get them. In Australia they are available at all bookshops that sell kids books.
Have you tried you school library?
I have written four books. So you have a bit of reading to go before you run out.
omg this is do wierd i have all redy read some of thoes books!!! but they are really good books!
hey i love your dragon keeper series soooo much!
i read the whole series so many times!
can you make a book 4 pleeease i beg you.
i want to know how ping will live without kai and if ping will ever see another dragon…
please i beg you :’(
my teacher made me read it because we always do discussions on books and stuff but i loved it so much i read the whole series when the teacher said i didnt have to. Will dragon dawn be out in the US?
kid in arizona,
Will definitely not be writing another book about Ping. You can imagine what happens to her yourself. Have you read this post?
http://www.carolewilkinson.com.au/news/2008/11/26/this-is-why/
Unfortunately Hyperion has no plans to publish Dragon Dawn in the US. I don’t have a say in these things. Perhaps if enough people wrote to them……
aw
i wish i had 20 million dollars to give to you so you can make a movie
Is dragon companion out in the US?
can you make like another book on dragons like different characters and a whole new series?
Kid in Arizona,
I wish you had 20 million for a movie. That would be great!
Sadly, no American publisher has expressed any interest in publishing Dragon Companion.
I have no plans for any other dragon books at the moment.
Hi!!! i have been searching the libraries around town and found a trilogy that you guys and girls might find interesting (and yes, it is a dragon book). I dont know what the whole series is called,but i really like these books. they just grab your attention a pull you in until you can’t stop reading ’til the very last page has been read.
book names
1st: Worm in the Blood
2nd: Beast beneath the skin
3rd: Heart of the sepent.
its about a 14 year old boy, Sam Lim-Evans, living in london who is half welsh, half asian. his mother comes from a small island off the coast of china called luhndough which has a deadly secret among their blood.
Sam notices a small rash on his arm that continues to grow and grow. the only way he can soothe the pain is to visit the local marchlands. he is suddenly drawn to the marshlands like his natural element, and even sleepwalks there. why won’t the rash go away and why is he so obssesed with the marshlands? you’ll have to read it to find out!!
oh, and the author is Thomas Bloor.
author for what book??
kid in arizona,
Sorry, that was my fault, I accidentally missed Kahlia’s first email. Should make sense now.
these are the best books i have ever read right now i am reading the series for a second time do you know when dragon dawn would come out in canada cause i cant wait!
Jack,
thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the Dragon Keeper books.
I’m afraid Dragon Dawn is not going to come out in Canada. I am assuming you get the US editions of my books, and the US publisher has decided not to publish it.
Dragon Dawn has only been published in Uk and Australia.
Hi Carole. I absolutely LOVE your Dragon Keepers series. I thought it was so good im actually writing a book myself. And i saw your earlier comment! I will definately write hyperion a message about publishing your book in America. If they dont i will have some words with them… Lol Just kidding. Anyway i (again) LOVE your books!!! I am reading the whole series again. Right now im on Dragon Moon.
Tyler,
I’m glad that you enjoyed reading the series, and that it inspired you to write. Good luck with the writing.
Hello Mrs Wilkinson,
I thoroughly love your Dragonkeeper series, especially the unique way you ended it. (SPOILER NEXT) It is great the way you make Ping seem to have less in the end than in the middle of the series, but in reality she has so much more. It made me think. Thank you! I would like to become a novelist myself, after reading these great books.
Michelle,
Thanks. I’ve had a lot of complaints about the end of Dragon Moon. I’m glad you approve of it. I like the way you have expressed it. She seems to have less, but actually she has more.
Where can i buy Dragon Companion(in Australia)?
minwoo,
you should be able to buy it in any bookshop. If they don’t have it in stock, you can ask them to order it for you.
Thanks for your interest in my books.