Families who loved Secret of the Water Dragon by Tracey West often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the realization that even good friends can make bad choices or keep secrets. This story provides a safe, fantastical space to explore the nuances of loyalty and peer pressure. It is particularly helpful for children who are beginning to understand that someone's outward actions might be driven by hidden fears or family burdens they are not yet ready to share. In this third installment of the Dragon Masters series, Drake discovers that his friend Bo is attempting to steal the precious Dragon Stone. Rather than jumping to judgment, the group must work together to uncover the 'why' behind Bo's betrayal. They soon learn that a dark wizard is threatening Bo's family, forcing the children to balance their duty to the kingdom with their devotion to their friend. At a reading level perfect for newly independent readers, the book models how to support a friend in trouble through empathy and collective problem-solving.