PERN Series

Before Landing
The planet Rukbat 3 was surveyed about 200 years before settlement.
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (1993 collection) "The Survey: P.E.R.N."

First Pass
These stories are set just before and during the First Pass, from landing on Pern until about fifty years after landing (0 to 50 AL).
Dragonsdawn (1988)
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (1993 collection)
"The Dolphins' Bell"
"The Ford of Red Hanrahan"
"The Second Weyr"
"Rescue Run"

First Interval
Dragonsblood (2005, by Todd McCaffrey) —some events

Second Pass
Just before and during the Second Pass, about 250 years after landing.
Red Star Rising (1996) (called Dragonseye for US release)

Third Pass
Just before and during the Third Pass, about 500 years after landing.
Dragon's Kin (2004, Anne & Todd McCaffrey)
Dragon's Fire (2006, Anne & Todd McCaffrey)
Dragon Harper (2007, Anne & Todd McCaffrey)
Dragonheart (2008, by Todd McCaffrey) —during Dragonsblood
Dragonsblood (2005, by Todd McCaffrey) —most events; see also First Interval
Dragongirl (2010, by Todd McCaffrey)
Dragon's Time (2011, Anne & Todd McCaffrey)
Dragonrider or Dragon's School (forthcoming 2012, Anne & Todd McCaffrey)[4][5][6]

Sixth Pass
Late in the Sixth Pass, about 1550 years after landing.
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern (1983)
Nerilka's Story (1986) —coincident with Moreta
"Beyond Between" (2003)

Ninth Pass
Just before and during the Ninth Pass, about 2500 years after landing.
The Masterharper of Pern (1998) —set 55 years before the Pass until the first part of Dragonflight
"Runner of Pern" (1998), novella later collected in A Gift of Dragons
Dragonflight (1968), first novel written, a fix-up of two previously published stories
"The Smallest Dragonboy" (1973), short story later collected in A Gift of Dragons
Dragonquest (1970)
Dragonsong (1976) —during Dragonquest, closing almost simultaneously
Dragonsinger (1977) —during seven days following Dragonsong
Dragondrums (1979) —closing before the end of The White Dragon
The White Dragon (1978), incorporating the short "A Time When" (1975)
"The Impression" (1989), short story by Jody Lynn Nye and Anne McCaffrey in The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern
"The Girl Who Heard Dragons" (1986), novella later collected in A Gift of Dragons —early during Renegades of Pern
Renegades of Pern (1989)
All the Weyrs of Pern (1991)
The Dolphins of Pern (1994) —during and immediately after All the Weyrs of Pern
The Skies of Pern (2001)

After the Fall is Over (in progress) —set after the Ninth Pass in "New Era Pern"

"Ever the Twain" (2002), original to the collection A Gift of Dragons

DragonSong - Anne McCaffrey

Dragonsong is ultimately a story of a girl who pursues her dream against all opposition. She takes great risks and reaps great rewards. Indeed, in the long run, the faithfulness she shows to her calling will reap benefits for the entire planet-but that is several novels down the series.

This novel is the first in a Harper trilogy within the Pern series. Whereas the other books concentrated on the dragonriders, this explores the craft hall of the Harpers and the important tasks they are charged with. It also explores the sexism inherent in McAffrey's Pern world and the sexism that is found in many agricultural civilizations. It is partly her dealing with this topic that adds to the appeal of her series. McAffrey crafts her characters to be highly sympathetic to her readers. Many of her readers see their own challenges reflected in the Pern novels.

Ever since my father introduced me to this series when I was in elementary school (too many years ago to count), I have faithfully reread the trilogy every year before Easter. (inside family reasoning - but hey it works for me) This is by far one of my favorite books. I love the fact that Menolly has to overcome so much in order to find herself. This is a classic tale of someone (in this case a female) struggling to find their identity inside of a hidebound society. And yet - this touching story shows that no one is immune from being bound.