Dragonwings is a historical novel set in the early 1900s that follows a young Chinese boy named Moon Shadow who travels from China to San Francisco to reunite with his father. His father, Windrider, is an inventor who dreams of building a flying machine inspired by ancient Chinese dragon legends.

As Moon Shadow adjusts to life in America, he faces the challenges of Chinese immigrants at the time, including discrimination, cultural differences, and the struggle to build a new life. Through determination, creativity, and the strong bond between father and son, they work together to pursue the dream of flight.

Blending history, imagination, and family storytelling, the novel highlights themes of perseverance, identity, immigration, and the power of dreams.