Article
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (UNICORN); © 2024 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. (DRAGON MASTERS); KEVIN BLUMENTHAL (TRACEY WEST)
Meet the Author,

Meet Tracey West

She writes the Dragon Masters books. We asked her some questions.

By Blair Rainsford
From the October/November 2024 Issue
Vocabulary: version, fascinated
Topic: English Language Arts,
Common Core Standards
  • Common Core Standards
    RI.2.4 Vocabulary RI.2.10 Read grade-2-appropriate informational text SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade-2 texts
  • ELA Focus
    Author study
TEKS Standards
  • English Language Arts
    (9) Multiple genres: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts--genres. The student recognizes and analyzes genre-specific characteristics, structures, and purposes within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse texts. The student is expected to: (A) demonstrate knowledge of distinguishing characteristics of well-known children’s literature such as folktales, fables, and fairy tales

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Kevin Blumenthal

Tracey West    

Question: What are the Dragon Masters books about? 

Tracey West: Dragon Masters takes place in a fantasy version of Earth where dragons and magic are real. If you get chosen by the Dragon Stone, you can become a Dragon Master. You get paired up with a dragon! The Dragon Masters go on adventures.

© 2024 by Scholastic Inc.
 

Q: Where did you get the idea for the series? 

TW: Scholastic knew that I liked to write about magical creatures. They asked, “Can you write a fantasy series with dragons in it?”

© 2024 by Scholastic Inc.
 

Q: What research did you do for Dragon Masters?

TW: I read legends and stories about dragons. I learned about fire-breathing dragons from Europe. I learned about peaceful water dragons from Asia. I was fascinated with the idea that there were different types of dragons. 

© 2024 by Scholastic Inc.

The next book is coming out on December 3!

video (1)
Slideshows (1)
video (1)
Slideshows (1)

About the Story

Science focus for
nonfiction connection

Animal adaptations

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Jewel of the Sand Dragon and Meet Tracey West

 

Implementation

  • Small group; whole group; independent reading

Pairings and Text Connections

In this issue, these texts all connect to the fantasy theme.

Before-Reading Resources

  • Read the Background Builder on p. 12
    (15 minutes) This will give students background knowledge.
  • Text Preview Bookmarks 
    (5 minutes) Students can use the fiction bookmark to preview the fiction and the nonfiction bookmark for the nonfiction.
  • Play the Vocabulary Slideshow 
    (5 minutes) Familiarize students with vocabulary they will see.

Suggested Reading Focus

Comprehension, fiction and nonfiction (30 minutes)

  • Ask the Think and Read question to guide students as they read.
  • Read the story.
  • Check comprehension with the Pause and Think questions. 
  • After reading the fiction story, read the Tracey West interview. 

After-Reading: Skills Practice

(15 minutes for each activity)

  • Quiz: Comprehension check (We also offer a lower-level quiz.)
  • What Is the Setting?
  • Story Map
  • Character Traits: Students can identify the traits of characters in the story. Check out our Skill Power video about character traits!

After-Reading Video

  • Watch the video, “Meet Tracey West.”
  • Then do the delightful “My Dragon” skills page. (It goes well with the video.)

After-Reading Text Comparisons 

(15 minutes for each activity)

  • Fantasy Chart: Compare the themed texts in the issue.
  • Fantasy Checklist: Using what they learned from the “What Is a Fantasy Story?” article, students can evaluate why “Jewel of the Sand Dragon” is a fantasy story.

Text-to-Speech