Dragon rider - Cornelia Funke

A dragon. A boy. A journey.
Firedrake, a brave young dragon, his loyal brownie friend Sorrel
and a lonely boy called Ben are united as if by destiny. Together,
they embark on a magical journey to find the legendary place where
silver dragons can live in peace for ever. With only a curious
map and the whispered memories of an old dragon to guide them,
they fly across moonlit lands and seas to reach the highest mountains
in the world.
Along the way, they discover extraordinary new friends in unlikely
places and a courage they never knew they had. Just as well, for
the greatest enemy of all is never far behind them - a heartless
monster from the past who's been waiting a very long time to destroy
the last dragons on earth.