KIDS BOOK LISTS BY GENRE

Exciting kickoff to fantasy series in ancient Rome. My Diary from the Edge of the World. Magical, heartbreaking story about family and friendship.

By Jodi Lynn Anderson. Survivors, The Gathering Darkness, Book 1. Exciting post-disaster dog fantasy best for fans of series. This classic works best as a read-aloud. Ronia, the Robber's Daughter. Enchanting fantasy boasts spirited heroine, loving family. Boy and girl team up to find new fates in magical adventure. The Story of a Girl and Her Monster. Haunting tale of friendship and magic in Victorian times. When the Sea Turned to Silver.

Rich folklore-fantasy blend makes a great read-aloud. Sensitive fantasy graphic novel explores gender roles. The Wizards of Once. Winning combination of action and humor in fun fantasy. Artemis Fowl Book 1.

Witty and exciting series start with irresistible antihero. Aru Shah and the End of Time: A Pandava Novel, Book 1. Flawed but fascinating modern spin on Indian mythology. Gripping historical adventure aboard a gigantic train. The Box and the Dragonfly: The Keepers, Book 1. Twisty brainteaser of a fantasy is a keeper. Brilliant tale of girl's enchanted-woods search for friend. The Dark Is Rising. Classic fantasy is a bit slow, but enthralling.

Fantasy Books for Kids

Reluctant monster hunter steps up in clever, funny fantasy. The Unwanteds Quests, Book 1. Slow start, solid characters in Unwanteds spin-off series. Going Wild, Book 1. Superpowered series start has thrills, appealing characters. Underland Chronicles, Book 1. One of the best of the post-Potter fantasies. The House in Poplar Wood. Teens bond, match wits with Death in riveting tale. The Language of Spells. Viennese girl meets dragon in sweet, poignant fantasy.

Sweetness, monsters, gore in darkly appealing fantasy. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1. Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale. Strong heroine faces monsters and mayhem in fun fantasy. The Trials of Morrigan Crow. First-rate, spellbinding story of misfit girl who's magic.

The Legend of Three Trees - Animated Christian Movie

Witch holds kids captive in creepy but sweet fantasy tale. Percy Jackson's Greek Gods. Huge gift book of Percy-narrated Greek myths is tons of fun. Brave rabbits meet scary monsters in exciting series start. Rebel Geniuses, Book 1. Creative fantasy blends art, mysticism, math, and magic.

By Michael Dante DiMartino. Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, Book 1. Rushed, fun adventure with Indian princess in combat boots. Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic. Fab art and cool new world as time periods collide. The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1. Exciting enchanted forest adventure to save baby brother. Willa of the Wood. Action-packed, violent, absorbing, heartfelt fantasy.

Young Pratchett fans will enjoy early lighthearted tales. Peril, appealing characters fill rich, imaginative fantasy. The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge. Funny, creepy tale of elf and goblin's uneasy friendship. The Book of Boy. Boy seeks relics in fun, mystical Middle Ages fantasy. By Catherine Gilbert Murdock. The Cabinet of Earths. American kids find magical, creepy adventure in Paris. A Crack in the Sea. Unusual mix of history and fantasy makes an engrossing read. Wings of Fire, Book 1.

Buddy dragon story surprisingly dark and bloody. Bold princess gets a silly nickname in fun questing tale. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Entrancing fantasy spun with magic stresses power of love. The Glass Town Game. His Dark Materials, Book 1. Nail-biting, violent fantasy has elements of mystery. Beautifully illustrated dragon fantasy is short but intense. Poignant, funny medieval tale skewers ignorance, bigotry. Fun, thoughtful mystery deals with superpowers, bullying. The Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1.

Exciting Norse mythology adventure with Percy-like hero. The Tournament at Gorlan: The Early Years, Book 1. Slow start to prequel series with stalwart characters. Lush, dark fantasy has magical teens, ghosts, the undead. Exciting, moving magical adventure explores love and greed. A Wizard of Earthsea: The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1. Classic, magical fantasy novel for tweens up.

Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel. Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book. Belle gets lured into book in dark but enchanting spin-off. A Greenglass House Story. Engaging fantasy adventure trades ghosts for magic. Hunger Games, Potter fans will enjoy exciting fantasy. Bandits and faeries mix in rollicking fantasy series debut. Beasts Made of Night. Riveting, intricately detailed, Africa-influenced fantasy. Down the Mysterly River.

Clever fantasy adventure a great choice for middle graders. The Epic Crush of Genie Lo. Gripping fantasy with strong characters, humor, adventure. Steampunk version of Peter Pan takes a dark turn. The Mapmakers Trilogy, Book 1. Dense, complex map tale a treat for seasoned fantasy fans.

Queen of Hearts origin story is fanciful, not too dark. Action-packed origin story for Fletcher's mentor Arcturus. Dark, violent retelling of creepy legend has gorgeous art. By Jay Asher, Jessica Freeburg. Rebel of the Sands. Wild West meets Arabian Nights in exciting fantasy kickoff. The Star Shards Chronicles, Book 1. Kids use psychic powers in exciting, X-Men-like thriller. The Shadowshaper Cypher, Book 1. Art-filled urban fantasy has outstanding Afro-Latina hero.

Flag this list

By Daniel Jose Older. Solid standalone fantasy is inspired by Chinese folklore. The Numair Chronicles, Book 1. Strong characters, murder fill exciting magic-academy tale. The Lunar Chronicles Series, Vol. Tough female droid fuels fun Lunar Chronicles graphic novel. Female gladiator brings it in violent, exciting tale. The Young Elites, Book 1. Taut tale mixes medieval fantasy, mutant powers, great cast.

The X-Files Origins, Book 1. Series pictures Mulder as teen, captures essence of TV show. What makes Peter Pan particularly interesting is that there is a tiny wee bit of darkness to it; the story features real characters who are flawed. Peter is quite selfish and this has consequences, even in the perfect never-grow-up world he lives in. The tale of Peter Pan is the perfect childhood story and one thats hit on an essential element of the human psyche.

With a Martin-esque plot and Jim Butcher pace, The Axe and the Throne is a definite "must read" for even the pickiest fantasy fans. In his stunning debut, Ireman has built the type of world so vivid and engrossing that leaving it at the end is agony. In spite of leaning toward grimdark, where authors often enshroud every scene in depressing darkness, there is no lack of cheerful moments or brilliant scenery.

Yet the pangs of near-instant nostalgia that come after you put down a book like this have less to do with the inspired setting, and far more to do with those who inhabit it. From savage, unremorseful heroes, to deep, introspective villains, the cast of this story is comprised of believable characters capable of unthinkable actions. And it is these characters -- the ones you wish you could share a drink with or end up wanting to kill -- that forge the connection between fantasy and reality.

Keethro, Titon, Ethel, Annora. These are names you will never forget, and each belongs to a man or woman as unique as they are memorable. No book would be complete without a its fair share of intrigue, however, and there is no lack of it here. Each chapter leaves you wanting more, and Ireman's masterful use of misdirection leads to an abundance of "oh shit" moments.

Do not be fooled or do -- perhaps that's part of the fun by storylines that may appear trope-ish at first. This is no fairytale. The Chronicles of Narnia. This is the ultimate series for younger readers. It's got talking animals, children protagonists, evil witches, adventures galore, and the clash between good and evil. This classic is completely safe for the kiddies and can be appreciated by all ages. I grew up on this series as a kid and I've been a fantasy book reader ever since.

These are the ultimate children's fantasy books, packed with unforgettable characters and a moral if hidden religious message. You certainly can't go wrong giving these or reading these to your kids. When it comes to childrens classics and fantasy classics at that , its hard not to include this book at or near the top.

Like Dahls other seminal classic, James and the Giant Peach, this is a story full of imagination, adventure, zany characters, and a moral lesson for children and adults alike. Its a novel thats inspired not one movie, but two. This is a surely one of the best childrens books ever written and deserves a prominent spot on every childs reading list. A well written and imaginative adventure yarn that will keep both the kids and adults captivated. You can read this as a child, then read it as an adult and experience a completely different tale.

There is a subtle message here to the reader: This is one of those series that appeals to all ages. For the one person out there who has not read it, do yourself a favor and find out just what all that hype was about. The series starts off pretty light-hearted, but gradually gets darker as Harry ages.

This is a great series for all ages, from young children to adults. Children under 8 will appreciate listening to the books read out loud -- either by you or the audiobook which really brings the story to life. An awesome movie, but an even better book. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. If there is one childrens classic your kids should read and only one, than it should be Alice in Wonderland.

Its a book thats influenced an entire generation of pop culture including movies, video games, books, language, and more. To NOT read this book is to deprive yourself of a strong cultural point of reference. What is there to say about the story other than a girl goes through a rabbit hole and finds herself in a wonderland. Like many of the best childrens classics, this book can be read on two different levels entirely a simple childs adventure story in a magical land or a metaphorical journey of double meanings, symbolisms and clever wordplays.

There is a hidden story behind the story itself. This is why the book is so brilliant. It offers something to everyone; as a child you enjoy the wonderful and imaginative tale of a girl saving a magical kingdom, and as an adult you read into a story thats more than a story. A Wrinkle In Time. A children's fantasy that explores the idea of human limitations through the adventure of the two children protagonists. This is a kid's tale through and through; it's intelligent, complex, and there are a lot of relevant themes explored in the book.

Of course, all that stuff is for the adults. On the kid's side of things, it's got all the requirements for a five-star read: This is a classic that you might read when in 4th grade but you will still remember 50 years later. The Keys to the Kingdom. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets.

Garth Nix in his Abhorsen, tells the chilling story of a girl's search for her father, a search that will take her into the very heart of death's realm. The Keys to the Kingdom is a very different sort of tale, a wild adventure that spans the very fabric of space and time. In this tale, an year old boy accidentally becomes master of the universe and wild adventures proceed. With a rich, slightly weird world and great cast characters, this is a fantasy series that every kid will love. The world is extremely imaginative and the writing is superb.

Fans of imaginative fantasy especially fantasy that merges the fantastical, magical word with the familiar world will find plenty to love about this series. It's a non-stop adventure that gets more interesting and gripping the further you get into the series. There's a bit of a dark, gritty edge to the series too. Less dark than the Abhorsen trilogy, this children's fantasy series is great for adults and kids. Tears of a Heart marks the tale of a young man, Aeden, who unwittingly shapes the world.

The writing is beautiful, layered, and timely. Chase Blackwood weaves an intricate tale that hints at so much more. And that may be its greatest challenge. Tears of a Heart, the first book in the series, was beautifully written, and interesting. It shows us an amazing world filled with detail and depth, but for a portion of it, just a touch slow.

Fantasy Books for Kids

The writing, such beautiful writing, overshadows this, as does the ending. Tower of the Arkein , the next book in the series, is where the story truly begins to unfold, and where Chase Blackwood shines as an author. It is fast paced, full of action, adventure, and love. A very strong entry in the fantasy genre, and if the next book is equally as good, expect it to make quite a splash. You can buy on Amazon now.

The Chronicles of Prydain. This series is a rung lower than Lord of the Rings and maybe a few notches under Chronicles of Narnia; think of it as a light epic fantasy geared specifically to kids. These books were first published over 30 years ago and won buckets full of awards. The novels set a standard of excellence in fantasy literature for children. The best way to explain this series is to take Lord of the Rings, toss in a shade more comedy, inject a bit of Welsh mythology into the story, throw in a coming-of-age theme and aim the whole thing at kids.


  • Empireal.
  • Good Job, Airplane!?
  • Magic Ladder Reader Assistance.
  • Children's literature.
  • Not So Forbidden Love!
  • Macbeth (With Zombies).
  • Categories;

And while the series targets kids, adults will also quite enjoy the series too. Like all good literature, it's a story that can appeal to all ages. There's a cast of interestingly quirky characters and a fast-paced plot that will keep you turning the pages without pause. A true classic and not at all like the movie. Because of the popularity of the movie, many assume the book and the movie are the same; but this is not so. The book is far superior to the movie and is a thoroughly entertaining read. It makes for perfect reading to your kids right before bedtime and hey, you might even find yourself slipping off to read it on your own time.

Appropriate for all ages. A story that your children will wish never ends. The movies are based on the books, but only follow the books loosely and sometimes, not at all.