Fantasy, Sci-fi and magic (Tamariki).

Bored with real life? Take a trip to mystical worlds of Fantasy, Sci-fi and magic themed books listed in this genre guide. From The Chronicles of Prydain , The Dark is Rising and Harry Potter, you'll be spoiled for choice where you'll never want to come back.


Updated August 20, 2024
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Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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Fantasy, Sci-fi and magic (Tamariki).

Bored with real life? Take a trip to mystical worlds of Fantasy, Sci-fi and magic themed books listed in this genre guide. From The Chronicles of Prydain , The Dark is Rising and Harry Potter, you'll be spoiled for choice where you'll never want to come back.


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The black cauldron
Alexander, Lloyd
Paper Book
The Newbery Medal-winning second book in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series, The Black Cauldron--the inspiration for Disney's 1985 cult animated film. In the land of Prydain, evil is never far away. Arawn, Lord of the Land of Death, has been building an...
The book of three
Alexander, Lloyd
Paper Book
Henry Holt Books for Young Readers is proud to publish this 50th Anniversary Edition of Lloyd Alexander's classic The Book of Three, the first book in the Chronicles of Prydain, with a new introduction by Newbery Honor-winner Shannon Hale. This anniversary edition is filled with bonus...
The castle of Llyr
Alexander, Lloyd
Paper Book
The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, Book Three in The Chronicles of Prydain Princess Eilonwy hates to leave her friend Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and her beloved home, Caer Dallben. Why does she have to go to the Isle of Mona to train as a proper lady when she's already a...
The high king
Alexander, Lloyd
Paper Book
The High King by Lloyd Alexander When the most powerful weapon in the land of Prydain falls into the hands of Arawn, Lord of the Land of Death, Taran and Prince Gwydion rally an army to stand up to the dark forces. The companions' last and greatest quest is also...
The High King
Alexander, Lloyd.
Paper Book
The High King by Lloyd Alexander When the most powerful weapon in the land of Prydain falls into the hands of Arawn, Lord of the Land of Death, Taran and Prince Gwydion rally an army to stand up to the dark forces. The companions' last and greatest quest is also their most...
Taran Wanderer
Alexander, Lloyd.
Paper Book
Taran Wanderer, the fourth book in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain Taran is an Assistant Pig-Keeper no longer--he has become a hero. Now he dreams of winning the hand of Princess Eilonwy, but how can someone who has spent his whole life caring for a pig hope to...
The last unicorn
Beagle, Peter S
Paper Book
INCLUDES A NEW INTRODUCTION BY PATRICK ROTHFUSS Experience one of the most enduring classics of the twentieth century and the book that The Atlantic has called "one of the best fantasy novels ever." The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone....
The magic faraway tree
Blyton, Enid
Paper Book
The second book in the magical Faraway Tree seriesby one of the world's most popular children's authors, Enid Blyton. Joe, Beth and Frannie's cousin Rick comes to stay, reluctant at first to share in their adventures at the top of the Faraway Tree. Join them and their...
The Wizard of Oz
Bracken, Beth
Paper Book
Film stills and original dialogue from the beloved movie The Wizard of Oz tell the tale of a young girl named Dorothy who flies over the rainbow with her dog, Toto, befriends a Tin Man, a Scarecrow, and a Lion on a yellow brick road to the Emerald City, and defeats a Wicked Witch before meeting a...
Flunked
Calonita, Jen
Paper Book
Dive into book one of the best-selling Fairy Tale Reform School series, from award-winning author Jen Calonita! What happens to the villains after happily ever after? 12 year old Gilly isn't so sure that she needs reforming for the (former) villains in Enchantasia... Gilly wouldn't call...
The storm runner
Cervantes, Jennifer
Paper Book
"A perfect storm of inspiring heroes, surprising twists, and some seriously scary monsters. This hilarious, expertly-plotted adventure keeps you racing through the pages and leaves you desperate for the next book (and craving a steaming mug of hot chocolate)!" --Shannon Messenger, New York...
Secrets and shadows
Chick, Bryan.
Paper Book
Book two in this fast-paced and exciting series for middle grade fantasy, mystery, and animal buffs. Noah and his friends thought they had seen it all during their first journey into the Secret Zoo--but it was only the beginning. Now they must train to become Crossers, members of a secret...
Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl
Colfer, Eoin.
Paper Book
A stunning graphic-novel adaptation of the megaselling Artemis Fowl. This adaptation of his genre-busting, award-winning novel Artemis Fowl has been a labour of love for lifelong graphic novel fan Eoin Colfer, and Andrew Donkin. Art by Giovanni Rigano and colour by...
The dark is rising
Cooper, Susan
Paper Book
It is Midwinter's Eve, the night before Will's eleventh birthday. But there is an atmosphere of fear in the familiar countryside around him. Will is about to make a shocking discovery - that he is the last person to be born with the power of the Old Ones, and as a guardian of the Light he must begin...
Over sea, under stone
Cooper, Susan
Paper Book
On holiday in Cornwall, Simon, Jane and Barney Drew discover an ancient map in the attic of the Grey House, where they are staying with their mysterious Great-Uncle Merry. They know immediately that it is special. But it is much more than just a map. It is the start of a quest to find a grail, a...
Cosmic : it's one giant leap for all boy-kind
Cottrell Boyce, Frank
Paper Book
* Big Mouth galley mailing * Extensive galley distribution at conferences * Lead feature at national and regional teacher and librarian preview events and webinars * School & Library feature at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and/or in e-newsletter * Advertising: BOOKLIST...
The magician's elephant
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Kate DiCamillo conjures a haunting fable about trusting the unexpected and making the extraordinary come true. What if? Why not? Could it be? When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of...
A wrinkle in time
L'Engle, Madeleine
Paper Book
As seen on Stranger Things, discover the ground-breaking, bestselling science fiction and fantasy classic that has delighted readers for over 60 years! NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER * TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME * NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM...
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Fleming, Ian
Paper Book
Dragon rider
Funke, Cornelia
Paper Book
Firedrake, a young dragon, receives a frightening warning one night: Humans are planning to destroy the valley in which he lives! All the dragons must flee. Their only refuge is a place above the clouds called the Rim of Heaven --- which may not even exist. Firedrake boldly volunteers to go ahead...
Inkheart
Funke, Cornelia
Paper Book
Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. They live quietly until the night a stranger knocks at their door. He has come with a warning that forces Mo to reveal an extraordinary secret-a storytelling...
Coraline
Gaiman, Neil
Paper Book
The bewitching classic children's novel by Neil Gaiman, featuring spellbinding illustrations from Chris Riddell and an exclusive new introduction by the author 'I was enthralled ... a marvellously strange and scary book' Philip Pullman 'A masterpiece'...
The weirdstone of Brisingamen : a tale of Alderley
Garner, Alan
Audiobook
First published in 1960, four decades before Harry Potter, Alan Garner's novel of magic and wizards has endured, becoming a modern classic of children's literature. When Colin and Susan are pursued by eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, a wizard, Cadellin Silverbrow, takes them to safety deep in...
The books of Earthsea
Le Guin, Ursula K.
Paper Book
One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time WINNER OF THE HUGO AND LOCUS AWARDS FOR BEST ART BOOK Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the timeless and beloved A Wizard of Earthsea that "reads like the retelling of a tale first told...
The iron man
Hughes, Ted
Paper Book
When a towering giant made of iron appears out of nowhere, young Hogarth sees him not as a monster, but a friend. The townspeople are terrified of the giant and devise a plan to bring him down. But Hogarth believes in his friend, and rescues him when no one else will. Together, they teach the people...
Howl's moving castle
Jones, Diana Wynne
Paper Book
"A true original." --Katherine Rundell, bestselling author of Impossible Creatures This entrancing classic fantasy novel is filled with surprises at every turn. An international bestseller, this much-loved book is the source for the Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature. ...
Castle in the air
Jones, Diana Wynne.
Paper Book
In this stunning sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones has again created a large-scale, fast-paced fantasy in which people and things are never quite what they seem. There are good and bad djinns, a genie in a bottle, wizards, witches, cats and dogs (but are they cats...
House of many ways
Jones, Diana Wynne.
Paper Book
In this sequel to the international bestseller Howl's Moving Castle, bookish Charmain finds herself smack in the middle of magical court intrigues . . . and dealing with the dashing Wizard Howl. When Charmain Baker agreed to look after her great-uncle's house, she thought she was getting...
Skulduggery Pleasant
Landy, Derek.
Paper Book
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant Ace Detective Snappy Dresser Razor-tongued Wit Crackerjack Sorcerer and Walking, Talking, Fire-throwing Skeleton --as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year...
Fablehaven
Mull, Brandon
Paper Book
Brandon Mull's New York Times bestselling series about siblings Seth and Kendra who discover their grandparents are the caretakers of a sanctuary for magical creatures! For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven...
The worst witch
Murphy, Jill
Paper Book
Mildred Hubble is a trainee witch at Miss Cackle's Academy, and she's making an awful mess of it. She's always getting her spells wrong and she can't even ride a broomstick without crashing it. Will she ever make a real witch?
Orphans of the tide
Murray, Struan
Paper Book
An ancient myth looms over a powerful new friendship in this debut middle grade fantasy packed with Hugo Cabret charm. The City is the only home that Ellie has ever known. She's always been told that there is nothing to see beyond the shores of her small, salty island. That is,...
Bridge to Terabithia
Paterson, Katherine.
Paper Book
Thisis the story of a special friendship between a two lonely children, Jess and Leslie. Together they create an imaginary land called Terabithia, which they reach by swinging over a creek on a rope. In this wonderland they seek escape from the difficulties of the real world and also learn how to...
The hidden oracle
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to...
The house of Hades
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
A thousand deadly monsters. Three battling demigods. One fatal decision. Hazel looked behind Hecate at the middle gateway. She saw Percy and Annabeth sprawled helplessly before those black-and-silver doors. A massive dark shape, vaguely humanoid, now loomed over them, its foot raised as if to crush...
The lightning thief
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times Bestseller Percy Jackson and the Olympians series now streaming on Disney+! The paperback edition of the first book in Rick Riordan's thrilling middle grade series, filled with magic, Greek mythology, and plenty of monsters....
Magnus Chase and the hammer of Thor
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
An exclusive edition featuring a new Percy Jackson short story inside!Thor's hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon - the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus...
The red pyramid
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a...
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Rowling, J. K
Paper Book
We now present the seventh and final installment in the epic tale of Harry Potter. "As a farewell to the series, Deathly Hallows is everything fans of Harry Potter could hope for." -- Lev Grossman, Time
Harry Potter and the goblet of fire
Rowling, J. K
Paper Book
The pivotal fourth novel in the beloved, bestselling Harry Potter series, in classic jacketed hardcover with illustrations by Mary GrandPré. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream...
Harry Potter and the half-blood prince
Rowling, J. K
Paper Book
When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why. Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark...
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Rowling, J. K
Paper Book
The next volume in the thrilling, moving, bestselling Harry Potter series will reach readers June 21, 2003 -- and it's been worth the wait!We could tell you, but then we'd have to Obliviate your memory.
Harry Potter and the philosopher'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...
Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban
Rowling, J. K
Paper Book
For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed:...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rowling, J. K.
Paper Book
Harry Potter is a wizard. He is in his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Little does he know that this year will be just as eventful as the last . . .
The lost heir
Sutherland, Tui
Paper Book
The WINGS OF FIRE saga continues with a thrilling underwater adventure -- and a mystery that will change everything!The lost heir to the SeaWing throne is going home at last.She can't believe it's finally happening. Tsunami and her fellow dragonets of destiny are journeying under the water to the...
The thief
Turner, Megan Whalen.
Paper Book
Discover and rediscover the world of the Queen's Thief, from the acclaimed novel The Thief to the thrilling, twenty-years-in-the-making conclusion, The Return of the Thief. The epic novels set in the world of the Queen's Thief can be read in any order. New York Times...
Dealing with dragons
Wrede, Patricia C.
Paper Book
Meet Princess Cimorene--a princess who refustes to be proper. She is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomobyish smart...   And bored.   So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon. And not just any dragon, but Kazul--one of...
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