Ancient China, Han Dynasty. A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon begin an epic journey across China. They carry with them a mysterious stone that must be protected. Dragonkeeper is the story of a girl who believes she is not worthy even of a name, but finds within herself the strength and courage to make this perilous journey – and do what must be done.

Dragonkeeper is the first novel in the internationally bestselling and award-winning Dragonkeeper series from Australian author Carole Wilkinson. This gripping junior fiction fantasy is the perfect read for secondary school age children. Continue the story with the other books in the series: Garden of the Purple Dragon (Book 2), Dragon Moon (Book 3) and Blood Brothers (Book 4). Carole can be found online at: www.carolewilkinson.com.au

Winner, Younger Readers Category, Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, 2004

Winner, Best Young Adult Book, Aurealis Awards, 2003

Winner, Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, 2004

Best Children's Book, Queensland Premier's Literary Award, 2004

Short-listed, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2004

Winner, Kalbacher Klapperschlange Award (Germany), 2006

Special Mention, International Youth Library’s White Ravens List, 2004

Winner, Older Readers, Kids Own Australian Literary Awards (KOALA), 2006

Short-listed, Young Australian Best Book Award (YABBA), 2006

Short-listed, Canberra's Own Outstanding List (COOL) Award, 2006

“In Dragonkeeper, Carole Wilkinson transports the reader to a richly evoked ancient China during the Han Dynasty ... in an absorbing, textured, adventure story.” — Australian Book Review

“I was riveted by the magical adventures, beautifully told, of a nameless Chinese slave girl.” — Katharine England, Australian Book Review

“... entrancing, beautifully written story ... a wonderfully satisfying and unexpected climax.” — Adelaide Advertiser

“An enchanting blend of fantasy and history.” — The Age

“A journey ... is the essence of this outstanding novel ...It is a story that informs as it delights and leaves the reader with a yearning to know more.” — The Children’s Book Council of Australia, Judges’ Report

“... an ambitious novel, marrying ancient Chinese history and culture with magic and fantasy ... the sights, smells and tastes of this fantastic ancient China are fully realised.” — Australian Bookseller and Publisher

“... a superb novel ...” — Canberra Times

“Enchanting and fascinating ... something worth celebrating.” — Kate Fewster, Viewpoint

“... proof that the fantasy genre is still working its magic.” — Jodie Minus, The Weekend Australian

“Wilkinson writes with elegant simplicity and her tale acquires the force of fable. Its appeal is broad: complex enough for adults yet accessible to younger readers.” — The Saturday Age