2025 Lifetime Achievement Award - Tracey West: Driving the Future of Literacy

DELAWARE COUNTY — Author of children’s and young adult books Tracey West has to be seriously considered for Person of the Year. West’s tireless work with her Dragon Wagon, which offers free books to kids across Delaware County and the surrounding region, is the embodiment of caring for our youth and ensuring a strong future by promoting literacy, imagination, and opportunity. At each stop, shelves of books are carefully pulled from the bus and arranged outside, creating an inviting space where children can browse freely and choose a book to take home at no cost. Each child who visits the bus is invited to browse and choose a book to keep. The experience is welcoming and personal. It often changes how young readers see themselves.

West describes the moment when a hesitant child finds the right book as the heart of her work., “And on the Dragon Wagon, we all get what I call book joy,” she explained. “A kid might come up and say they do not want a book. Then we talk about what they like to do. Maybe they love kittens, or trucks, or soccer. Suddenly their whole expression changes, and they grab a book. We even hear kids ask, ‘Do I really get to keep this book forever and ever?’ That is when you know something special has happened.”

The idea for the Dragon Wagon began during the early months of the pandemic, when communities were searching for ways to support children facing isolation and disruption. West recognized that access to books and the freedom to choose what to read are essential in building lifelong readers. From that insight came a practical solution. A retired mini school bus was transformed into a traveling bookshop and literacy center.

Since launching the program, the Dragon Wagon has distributed thousands of free books. Since starting the Dragon Wagon, more than one thousand books were given away each season. The program has also helped boost participation in local summer reading challenges, showing that enthusiasm for reading grows when children are given the chance to discover stories that match their interests. 

West’s dedication to literacy is rooted in a long and successful writing career. For more than thirty years she has created stories for children of many ages, from beginning readers to middle grade students. Her books include original series as well as adaptations connected to popular films, television shows, and games. Today she is best known for the widely read Dragon Masters series, which has helped many young readers make the transition from picture books to chapter books.

She understands that this stage can be intimidating for children who are still building confidence, “Dragon Masters is for kids who are moving from picture books into chapter books,” West said. “You lose a lot of readers at that point because the books suddenly have many more words. That can feel overwhelming. So, I write short chapters and try to end each one with a little cliffhanger. There is art on every page. Parents and teachers tell me again and again that the series has turned their child into a reader, and that is the best feedback I can get.”

Her approach reflects a larger philosophy about choice and encouragement. Not every child connects with the same story, and West believes that offering options is essential to success, “That is why choice is so important,” she said. “One child might love dragons, while another might not. The key is helping each reader find the book that speaks to them.”

West also uses her stories to model cooperation and empathy. In the Dragon Masters books, characters solve problems together and support one another through challenges. These lessons mirror the values she hopes to see in young readers, “In our guidebook, we say that every Dragon Master needs kindness, curiosity, and the ability to work on a team,” West explained. “Those are the qualities that help people succeed, both in stories and in real life.”

Her achievements as a writer have been recognized nationally. The Dragon Masters series appeared on The New York Times Children’s Bestseller List from 2020 through 2023. She has received multiple award nominations, including the Otter Award and the Florida Sunshine State Award. In 2009, she earned the Scribe Award for Best Young Adult Novel. Earlier in her career, titles such as Pokémon, I Choose You! and other popular adaptations also reached bestseller status.

Yet awards and sales figures tell only part of the story. West remains focused on the daily impact of reading in children’s lives. Teachers and parents throughout the region have shared stories of reluctant readers who became confident learners after finding the right book through her programs. In many ways, her work connects creative storytelling with direct community service. 

This spring, local families will have a chance to see that work in action. West is participating in the Catskills Book Trail, a regional reading challenge that connects families with authors, bookstores, and community spaces. One of the featured stops will take place at Octagon Acres on April 25, when the Dragon Wagon will arrive with books ready to share. The event offers a chance for children to explore new stories, meet an author, and experience the excitement of choosing a book of their own. 

At a time when communities are searching for meaningful ways to support young people, Tracey West stands out as a steady and positive force. She writes stories that inspire children to read, and she personally delivers books into their hands. Through the Dragon Wagon and her decades of storytelling, she continues to strengthen literacy and opportunity across the Catskills.

For these reasons, Tracey West remains a compelling and deserving choice for Person of the Year.