Orphaned twice by the time he was nine, he was living on the streets and did not even know his own name. He was not allowed to set foot in the one place he was determined to find work. To complete the disaster of his young life, he was in love. The object of his affections was Star, an immense, emerald-green dragon. But here good fortune finally smiled upon him: Star was a Luck Dragon.
Unexpectedly, he was admitted as a barn boy into the elite Dragon Compound. He was given three warm meals a day, work, and even a name. Accepted by some, reviled by others, the boy is nicknamed Straw. His days are a mix of welcome work and staving off the aggressive attacks of those who believe he does not belong there. Then one day he discovers that the aloof dragon oddly pays particular attention to him alone, and once this becomes recognized by the others, this raises the boy to new responsibility. With the dragon suddenly under his daily care, the boy discovers that Star can speak in ways that only he can understand. Star reveals to him dragon lore long forgotten to the world, and offers to train the boy in the ways of the warrior.
Donald Samson has been working in Waldorf education for over 30 years, serving as a subject and class teacher, and more recently as a school administrator and mentor. It was during his many years as a class teacher that he developed his love for storytelling. His first books owe their origin to stories he told to one of his classes. It was his students' persistent requests to read the stories that led him to write them down.
PB, 248 pages. Suitable for 9-12 years.