Fantastic Kids Fantasy Books to Capture Their Imagination

Alexandra F. said:  Don't be surprised if your kids get really into Greek mythology after reading the Percy Jackson books - they do a phenomenal job of introducing readers to these classic heroes, demigods, gods and monsters in a totally engaging way, through the eyes of a cool and relatable protagonist.

Alexandra F. said:  C.S. Lewis has enchanted children (and adults) for generations with this tale of four siblings who, while hiding in a wardrobe in their new home, suddenly walk through the back of it and find themselves in a fantastical land of perpetual winter. Their adventures beyond the wardrobe, as well as the story preceding this discovery, are covered in the seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia. I have enjoyed this book at various stages of my life, but especially loved reading it out loud with my children when they were younger.

Alexandra F. said:  In my humble opinion, it doesn't get much better than J.K. Rowling's incredible series about a 10-year-old boy who unexpectedly learns that he is a wizard, and whose next seven years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are filled with magic, friendship, adventure and personal growth. Our family have all read and reread the series more times than we can count, and it has inspired several years worth of family Halloween costumes and birthday party themes.

Alexandra F. said:  This classic children's chapter book by Madeleine L'Engle is a space adventure story about Meg Murry and her little brother, who travel through space and time to rescue their father, a scientist who disappeared while working on a secret government project. This was my introduction to science fiction as a child and I remember being absolutely captivated and drawn to fantasy and sci fi ever since. When I shared it with my own kids in third or fourth grade, they loved it, too!

Alexandra F. said:  You really can't talk about fantasy books for kids without a tip of the hat to the man who popularized modern fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit is a prequel to his epic Lord of the Rings, and a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy literature. Though Bilbo Baggins' unexpected adventure to recover stolen treasure from a dragon is simple, straightforward, and appropriate for even young kids, the language is more complex than most children's books, so it may be better suited for older or advanced readers. My kids finally read it in 5th and 7th grade after some earlier failed attempts, and loved it.

Alexandra F. said:  This was one of my daughter's favorite books in second grade, and she was so struck by the whimsical adventure story that she consistently recommends it to younger fans of children's fantasy books years later. Written by Julie Andrews (of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music!), it tells the story of three children's search for the legendary Whangdoodle, an extraordinarily kind, wise creature who disappeared a long time ago, and who is believed to live in a secret land along with other remarkable creatures.

Alexandra F. said:  There's a lot about this bestselling series by Shannon Messenger that would appeal to anyone looking for more books like Harry Potter. Like our favorite boy wizard, the main character also suddenly discovers her place in a fantastical world that secretly co-exists with our non-magical one, and her subsequent adventures are filled with magic, danger and friendship, mostly starring teen protagonists with special powers. There are currently eight books in the series, with more to come. Our family started reading these as part of a family book club when our kids were nine and 11, and have been hooked ever since!

Alexandra F. said:  This bestselling series by Chris Colfer is one of the first my daughter will suggest when asked for book recommendations for kids in elementary school, whether or not they typically enjoy children's fantasy books. She's pretty picky about the books she recommends, too, but really loved these stories about two siblings who enter a fairy tale world through a magical book.

Alexandra F. said:  This is a really fun and quirky fantasy adventure story for kids by Brandon Sanderson. The Smedry family has been gifted with unconventional talents, like always being late, tripping, and most spectacularly, breaking things. When 13-year-old Alcatraz Smedry finally connects with his biological family after growing up in foster care, things get weird, fast, and he suddenly finds himself on an epic adventure to save the world from - you guessed it - the evil librarians keeping us all in darkness through lies and misinformation.

Kelly R. said:  This is such a unique book...a recent favorite of my 7th grade boy! The story alternates between being told by words and by series of terrific illustrations. It's a fantasy book about elves and goblins, but also a witty satire on politics, cultural differences and how history is written.

Alexandra F. said:  Brandon Sanderson is a masterful writer, and his fantasy books for kids, young adults and adults are all favorites in our house. Though Skyward is geared toward older kids and adults, younger children who are strong readers would also enjoy this sci fi space-thriller about a teen who follows in her father's footsteps to become a fighter pilot, and begins to learn more than she expected about the circumstances surrounding his mysterious (and notorious) death when she was a child. There are currently three books out in what will be a four-book series.

Jessica A. said:  I love all of the book recommendations listed here!! I would add Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan. This 11-book series has deeply engaged my most stubborn of readers at home. It's for ages 10 and up. My 7th grade son finally rekindled his interest in reading with the introduction of this series!!!!

Alexandra F. said:  In this superhero fantasy trilogy, Melissa Meyers introduces us to a society struggling to stay afloat years after an uprising by villains with extraordinary powers. A group of superheroes has stepped up as protectors and leaders after defeating these villains, but not everyone is happy about how little power those without super abilities have in this new world. We all enjoyed reading these as part of our family book club, and while they are especially good books for middle schoolers and young adults (and have a pretty central teen romance), our older elementary school kids liked them quite a lot, too.

Alexandra F. said:  This highly acclaimed children's fantasy novel by Jeanne DuPrau features a post-apocalyptic world where the city that was built to protect the last of the human race is beginning to fall into darkness - literally. Two friends must uncover the meaning of a secret message to save the city’s light, and their world. This was another favorite for my tween.

Alexandra F. said:  My middle schooler really enjoyed this award-winning book by Kelly Barnhill, about a town that routinely offers up a baby as a sacrifice to a witch who lives in the nearby woods. The witch (who is actually good) decides to raise one of the babies when she becomes imbued with moonlight, and later begins to develop extraordinary magic. Beautifully written and lyrical, and a wonderful example of high fantasy for children.

Alexandra F. said:  Disney After Dark is the first in this seven-book series by Ridley Pearson, which follow a group of teens who are a part of a new program at Disney World that creates holographic tour guides for park guests. Of course, things are not as they seem, and the teens also find themselves having to protect the park against an evil plot hatched by Disney villains. These are great books for kids who love Disney, as there are plenty of detailed references to park rides and attractions that would make them especially fun to read if you are planning a Disney vacation in the near future!