Children's Book Suggestions | Fantasy

Some of our favorite fantasy books for readers in Grades 2-7. You can view more fantasy fiction books for kids in our online catalog. This is a popular genre with kids (and many librarians!), so we also have Animal Fantasy, Fairy Tales, and Mythology & Folklore book lists for young fantasy readers with very specific tastes.

Updated June 6, 2024
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The dragonet prophecy
Sutherland, Tui
Paper Book
A thrilling new series soars above the competition and redefines middle-grade fantasy fiction for a new generation!The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring...

A traditional fantasy adventure story with a twist: all of the characters are dragons! Next to Percy Jackson, this is our most popular fantasy series for young readers in both chapter book and graphic novel form. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Rise of the earth dragon
West, Tracey
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling Dragon Masters series is "How to Train Your Dragon" meets the Dragon Slayers' Academy, and it's perfect for newly independent readers!Pick a book. Grow a reader. This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed...

Our most popular fantasy series in this section! A great choice for kids who love the How to Train Your Dragon movies. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

How to train your dragon
Cowell, Cressida.
Paper Book
7 MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THE SERIES THAT INSPIRED THE HIT MOVIES!   Action-packed, hilarious, and perfectly illustrated, How to Train Your Dragon is a beloved modern classic with millions of fans across the globe. Journey into the adventure that...

The book that inspired the movies! There are 12 books in the series. Wizards of Once and Which Way to Anywhere? series are also great choices for chapter book readers. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Dragons in a bag
Elliott, Zetta
Paper Book
The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering...

A young boy living in New York City discovers that his babysitter is actually a witch when she entrusts him with a bag of baby dragons who need to be delivered to a magical realm. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Into the wild
Hunter, Erin.
Ebook
Epic adventures. Fierce warrior cats. A thrilling fantasy world. It all begins here. Read the book that began a phenomenon--and join the legion of fans who have made Erin Hunter's Warriors series a #1 national bestseller. For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the...

A house cat dissatisfied with his domesticated life finds his purpose in a clan of wild cats living in the woods. There is literally a new Erin Hunter book every month, so readers who love Warriors will never run out of new books to read. For more fantasy stories where animals are the protagonists, check out our Animal Fantasy book list. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Upside-down magic
Mlynowski, Sarah
Paper Book
Meet the Upside-Down Magic kids in the first topsy-turvy adventure of this New York Times bestselling series, now a Disney Channel Original Movie!It's never easy when your magic goes wonky.For Nory, this means that instead of being able to turn into a dragon or a kitten, she turns into both of them...

A group of kids whose magic doesn't work quite as expected bonds in the Upside Down Magic class at their magical elementary school. A solid choice for kids who love the idea of magic school stories but aren't quite ready for Harry Potter. Kids with IEPs may find Nory and her classmates' experiences especially relateable! (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Anya and the dragon
Pasternack, Sofiya
Paper Book
A Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book Sydney Taylor Honor winner Anya and the Dragon, the first in a duology, is a lush tale of magic and dragons, a gem for any adventure-seeking middle grade reader. Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in tenth century Eastern Europe,...

A fantasy world inspired by the Jewish traditions of eastern Europe. In addition to the Anya sequels, readers should also check out her standalone novel Black Bird, Blue Road. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe
Lewis, C. S.
Paper Book
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe introduced readers to the wonders and enchantment of Narnia when it was first published almost fifty years ago. Since then the hearts and imaginations of millions of readers have been captured by the story of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who step through a...

C.S. Lewis's original fantasy classic! While it's a great choice for readers of all religious traditions, Christian readers will especially appreciate Lewis' references to his own Christian faith. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

A dragon's guide to the care and feeding of humans
Yep, Laurence
Paper Book
Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will love this whimsical tale, the first in a series, by a Newbery Honor winner, featuring charming illustrations and pet "training tips" in each chapter. Crusty dragon Miss Drake has a new pet human, precocious Winnie. Oddly enough, Winnie seems...

A grumpy old dragon grieving the loss of her beloved pet human, Fluffy, finds herself reinvigorated by the friendship of Fluffy's 10-year-old great niece. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The golden compass
Pullman, Philip
Paper Book
The modern fantasy classic that Entertainment Weekly named an "All-Time Greatest Novel" and Newsweek hailed as a "Top 100 Book of All Time." Philip Pullman takes readers to a world where humans have animal familiars and where parallel universes are within reach. ...

The modern classic that inspired the movie and the recent HBO series. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Giants beware!
Aguirre, Jorge.
Paper Book
Make way for Claudette the giant slayer in this delightful, fantastical adventure! Claudette's fondest wish is to slay a giant. But her village is so safe and quiet! What's a future giant slayer to do? With her best friend Marie (an aspiring princess), and her brother...

A brave girl with grand ambitions sets out with her friends to slay a giant and save her dad. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Tower of treasure
Chantler, Scott.
Paper Book
As an acrobat in a traveling circus, 14-year-old orphan Dessa Redd flies through the air with ease. Still, she is weighed down by troubling memories. But when her ragtag circus troupe pulls into the city of Kingsbridge, Dessa feels a tickle of hope. Maybe here in the royal city she will finally find...

Kid-friendly heist stories set in a fantasy world in which a group of young circus performers find new ways to use their skills. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Amulet. Book 1, The stonekeeper
Kibuishi, Kazu
Paper Book
The first book in Kazu Kibuishi's #1 New York Times bestselling series that features a beautiful but dangerous world of new friends, giant robots, and shadowy enemies! After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great...

Two siblings encounter a slightly sinister magical realm in the basement of their new home in this classic graphic novel fantasy adventure. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Hilda and the Midnight Giant
Pearson, Luke.
Paper Book
Hilda Season 1 and 2 is now on Netflix! "Luke Pearson is one of the best cartoonists working today. Hilda is utterly brilliant!" --Raina Telgemeier, creator of Smile When creatures bombard Hilda's house with eviction notices, she has to think...

The graphic novel that inspired the Netflix series! A young girl encounters magical creatures in both the wilderness, where she spent her childhood, and her new home in the city. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

The Manifestor prophecy
Thomas, Angie
Paper Book
Instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore. It's not...

The author of The Hate U Give makes her middle grade debut with a fantasy adventure story inspired by Black history and folklore. For more Black history inspired fantasy, try Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The sand warrior
Siegel, Mark
Paper Book
R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of WONDER, hails this adventure series as "Mind-blowingly beautiful. . . . A must-read." Think Star Wars meets Avatar- The Last Airbender! The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction...

A fantasy adventure story with vibrant colors and a dreamy illustration style that evoke Hayao Miyazaki's animated classics. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

The book of three
Alexander, Lloyd.
Paper Book
Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess;...

While most readers are more familiar with the award-winning The Black Cauldron and its movie adaptation, this is the first book in Alexander's classic fantasy series inspired by Welsh history and lore. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The total eclipse of Nestor Lopez
Cuevas, Adrianna
Paper Book
2021 Pura Belpré Honor Book NYPL Best Book of 2020 2020 Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids In this magical middle-grade debut novel from Adrianna Cuevas, The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez, a Cuban American boy must use his secret ability...
A Cuban American teen must save his town's wildlife from a witch who bites animals to steal their power. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)
Wildseed witch
Dumas, Marti
Paper Book
Hasani's post-seventh-grade summer to-do list is pretty simple: get a bigger following for her makeup YouTube channel and figure out how to get her parents back together. What she does NOT expect is that an emotional outburst will spark a latent magical ability in her. Or that the magic will be...

An aspiring makeup YouTuber finds her summer plans to grow her channel derailed when she discovers she's a witch and is sent to witch camp in Louisiana. A fantastic choice for readers who share Hasani's love of makeup, fashion, and the ups and downs of middle school friendships. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Witchlings
Ortega, Claribel A.
Paper Book
An instant New York Times Bestseller! Disney's The Owl House meets Nevermoor, in a brilliant adventure from Claribel A. Ortega! Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into...

Three girls who have nothing in common, aside from their failure to be accepted into their town's established covens, must form their own or risk losing their magic. A great choice for fans of Harry Potter or The School for Good & Evil from an award-winning Dominican American author. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Alanna : the first adventure
Pierce, Tamora
Paper Book
A girl disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight in this first book in Tamora Pierce's Margaret A. Edwards Award-winning young adult series--now with a new look! From now on, I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight. In a time when girls...

A teen girl switches places with her twin brother so she can train to be a knight in Tamora Pierce's fantasy classic. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The lightning thief
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times Bestseller | Now a series on Disney+ 12-year-old Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon in the opener to the hilarious, fast-paced adventure fantasy series for young readers ages 10 and up The hardcover edition of the...

Is there a fantasy-loving kid today who hasn't read the Percy Jackson books? For kids who've devoured everything Rick Riordan has ever written, try our Mythology & Folklore book list and the Rick Riordan Presents collection of fantasy adventure books inspired by world mythology. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The great Texas dragon race
Ritter, Kacy
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE * WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION New York Times Readers' Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21st Century * An Oprah's Book Club Selection * An Instant New York Times Bestseller * An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller * A #1 Washington Post...

Dragon riders are a popular topic in fantasy for readers of all ages--see Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley for teens and Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey for adults--but the Texas setting and nail-biting race format set this one apart. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone
Rowling, J. K.
Paper Book
Harry Potter spent ten long years living with Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, an aunt and uncle whose outrageous favoritism of their perfectly awful son Dudley leads to some of the most inspired dark comedy since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But fortunately for Harry, he's about to be granted a...

The book that changed the game for children's publishing in general and children's fantasy books in particular! A lonely orphan learns he's the child of wizards and enrolls in wizard school (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Nell of Gumbling : my extremely normal fairy-tale life
Steinkellner, Emma
Paper Book
Seventh grade is no fairy tale. From the bestselling author of Okay Witch comes an utterly enchanting graphic novel-diary hybrid about a twelve-year-old girl living an ordinary life in a magical land...disappointment, friend drama, adventure, mystery, and all! To everyone...

An ordinary girl in a magical small town keeps a diary of her seventh grade year in this graphic novel hybrid. Emma Steinkellner does a great job of blending the fantastical with ordinary. If you like Nell, make sure to check out her Okay Witch graphic novel series! (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The song of the swan
Sutton, Karah
Paper Book
A magical retelling of Swan Lake, featuring a clever orphan, a castle filled with enchanted swans, and a quest to unearth the secrets of the past. Olga is an orphan and a thief, relying on trickery and sleight of hand to make her way in the world. But it's magic, not...

The plot of the famous Russian ballet, itself inspired by Slavic folklore, forms the backbone of this fantasy adventure story for young readers. For more stories inspired by fairy tales, try our Fairy Tale book list. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The Nameless City
Hicks, Faith Erin
Paper Book
Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders.

A fast-paced adventure set in a fantasy world inspired by China that will especially appeal to fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Wingbearer
Liu, Marjorie M.
Paper Book
A young girl must stop a threat to her magical world in this epic graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu and remarkable debut illustrator Teny Issakhanian. Plus don't miss the spectacular sequel, Wingborn, out in fall 2023! Zuli is extraordinary-...

A magical fantasy adventure about a girl raised by tree spirits from bestselling teen/adult author Marjorie Liu. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)


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