Dragonsong -- Anne McCaffrey

Let's get something straight. The Pern books are science fiction. Dragons do not necessarily fantasy make.

I loved the Harper Hall trilogy when I was in middle school, so I was delighted to see that:

A) someone donated all three to our library and

B) the YA librarian decided to put them into the collection. 

Obviously, I had to re-read:

The scorn in Sella's voice reminded Menolly too acutely that she was only a girl, too big for a proper girl, and the youngest of a large family, therefore of least account. It was in no way a consolation to be insignificant, even if her father was, for that reason, less likely to notice her. Or remember her misdeeds. 

Yep, it still rules. The fire lizard hatching scene during Threadfall -- WHEW!  (Well, the first book still rules. I haven't re-read the others yet, but I will. Soon.) 

If you know kids who love the Protector of the Small series, they'll almost definitely dig this. There are strong similarities -- young woman longs to do something that is not traditionally done by females, she triumphs over all odds with the help of some small, winged friends. But I do have to admit that I prefer fire-lizards to sparrows. I want one. Or nine.

As much as I love the book, a cautionary note: There are some books that are just better if first read as an impressionable young person. You develop a love for the book that stays with you. Sometimes, reading them for the first time as a grown-up just isn't the same. I suspect that this series is one of those. (But, hey. Maybe I'm just crazy. Feel free to prove me wrong.)