It’s not the most mature, deeply thoughtful series, but if you like Sci-Fi, Fantasy and/or have a lifelong yearning to see a dragon, you’ll enjoy the “Dragonriders of Pern” series by Anne McCaffrey. I recently re-read “Dragonflight” the *first* in the series. I use the asterisks because “Dragonflight” is the first book McCaffrey wrote in the series, but she went back later and wrote prequels. Sound too confusing? Stick to “Dragonflight”, “Dragonquest” and “The White Dragon” as her original trilogy and you’re in for a delightful romp in a fantastical world.

The characters are fun and once the action starts, it’s fairly non-stop. There are some politics which will likely annoy the youngest readers. And there’s some sexuality, so I wouldn’t recommend these books for kids under 12 (particularly as you get to “The White Dragon”). There are enough strong female characters to make the series appealing to women.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read “The Rowan” series by Anne McCaffrey, but I remember liking it. If you’re looking for a Sci-Fi/Romance, it’s one of the only books that I can think of that thoroughly fits that bill. If you’re just looking for great Sci-Fi/Fantasy books for kids, I also recommend “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engle or “The Golden Compass” by Phillip Pullman.