Western China, 1196: Yun Cai, a handsome poet in his youth, is now an old man, exiled to his family estates. All that is left to him are regrets and the irritations of his feckless son and shrewish daughter- in-law. But the 'poison dragons' of misfortune shatter his orderly existence from the memories of his youth.

In the fifth book in the best-selling Dragon Masters series, a new Dragon Master is coming to the castle! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!In book #5, the Dragon Masters are excited to meet the newest Dragon Master, Petra. But when she arrives at the castle, she doesn't fit in right away. She's a know-it-all, and she doesn't even try to connect with her four-headed dragon! Could the Dragon Stone have chosen her by mistake? Then something terrible happens to the king. Petra will have to work with the other Dragon Masters to save him before it's too late!

The Dragon Masters are excited to meet the newest Dragon Master, Petra. But when she arrives at the castle, she doesn't fit in right away. She's a know-it-all, and she doesn't even try to connect with her four-headed dragon! Could the Dragon Stone have chosen her by mistake? Then something terrible happens to the king. Petra will have to work with the other Dragon Masters to save him before it's too late!

The Netherlands, Spring 1943. When her glittering career as a ballerina is cut short by a dancing injury, Elise Van Thooft-Noman, rebellious daughter of a powerful Dutch Nazi, flees to an isolated island off the coast of Holland. Here she meets Pieter Goedhart, reluctant village schoolmaster and Resistance fighter. A dangerous affair is kindled between them. Meanwhile Elise’s Nazi family and the terrifying brutality of war are closing in, threatening to destroy all she holds dear . . . New York, September 2008. Uncomfortably overweight, single and scraping thirty, Jenni Malarkey is summoned to a mysterious party to celebrate her estranged grandmother’s glamorous life. Her journey through Elise’s secret history will force her to confront a legacy of guilt and shame . . . Past and present intersect, as unlikely hearts connect to seek love and redemption, in this haunting time-shift novel set in wartime Holland and contemporary New York.

Hardworking men and women wrestle with the dragons of personal and professional change every day. Despite the highest standard of living in history, they feel burned by frustration, hassle and stress. Some important thing seems to be missing no matter how much they care, how hard they work, or how many possessions they own. Paradoxically, they have more and feel less satisfied. But what can they change? Must they abandon high-paying careers to enjoy family relationships, achieve personal happiness, and contribute to the community? Taming the Dragons of Change is written by the CEO of a high-tech company who evaluated his demanding career and busy lifestyle, discovered a few simple changes, and found joy, peace and security in a hectic world of rampant change. Taming the Dragons of Change is a practical book. It offers refreshing new tips that enable readers to simultaneously savor the career success theyve earned, and have the happiness and fulfillment they crave. The book is written in a format that fits conveniently into the frantic lives of career-focused people. It can be enjoyed in brief increments stolen from busy days. These golden nuggets will make readers laugh and cry, think and grow, as they learn how to experience both career success and personal happiness in an ever-changing world.

The Dragon Masters are excited to meet the newest Dragon Master, Petra. But when she arrives at the castle, she doesn't fit in right away. She's a know-it-all, and she doesn't even try to connect with her four-headed dragon! Could the Dragon Stone ha