Joust (Dragon Jousters Book 1) By Mercedes. Lackey

Vetch was once the son of an Altan farmer whose family had held there land for five hundred years, now he is the lowest of the low a serf, the spoils of war less valuable then a slave. When one day he is claimed by a dragon Jouster to serve as his dragon boy. Vetch finds life at the Dragon Compound better then he has ever experienced. As he works with the dragons he is fascinated by them and when the opportunity comes he steals a dragon egg to raise as his own with the aim of escaping to his homeland of Alta.

This was an extremely enjoyable book if a bit long winded at times. The main character Vetch is very likeable and competent. And once I was caught up in the story I could not put the book down.