The world had succumbed to darkness, floods, and wickedness. Elves had vanished, except for a newborn, sent to safety before the deluge inundated his village. There was a prophecy, however, that foretold a better future: “When the last dragon and the last elf / break the circle . . . the sun of a new summer / will shine in the sky” (51). Locating the last dragon becomes the quest of a ragtag band: a hunter, a woman, a dog, and the last elf—Yorshk runsquarkljolnerstrink, Yorsh to his friends. The Last Dragon is a magical tale that will mesmerize readers with its innocence and imagery. 2007 Batchelder Honor, ALA Notable Children’s Book, A Kirkus Reviews Best Childrens Book of 2006, A Book Sense Autumn 2006 Children’s Pick, 2011 Nutmeg Teen Book Award Nominee. lmp

Originally pub lished as L’Ultimo Elfo in Italian by Adriano Salani Italy, in 2004. Translated by Shaun Whiteside.