There is something wonderfully liberating about fantasy for middle grade readers. At this stage, children are old enough to disappear into elaborate magical worlds, follow complicated plots and wrestle with big ideas, but they are still young enough to believe that there might be a secret kingdom hidden just around the corner.
And in the publishing world, children's fantasy is having a particularly exciting moment. Contemporary authors are creating stories filled with magical schools, dangerous creatures, parallel worlds, enchanted objects and unlikely heroes, while tackling themes such as friendship, identity, courage, grief and belonging. If you're looking for the next great series for your 9–12-year-old, here are some of the best places to start:
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman:
Best for: Readers who want epic adventures, magical creatures and plenty of danger.
Forget everything you thought you knew about unicorns. In A.F. Steadman's Skandar series, unicorns are powerful, unpredictable and decidedly dangerous. The story follows Skandar Smith, a boy who dreams of becoming a unicorn rider. When he finally gets his chance, he discovers that life on the mysterious Island is much more complicated — and perilous — than he imagined. This series combines the excitement of a magical academy with spectacular creatures, friendship and an increasingly epic battle between good and evil. It is particularly appealing to children who have already raced through books such as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson and are ready for something new. The series has grown into a five-book adventure, with Skandar and the Spirit War serving as its finale. Try it if they like: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or dragons and mythical creatures.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell:
Best for: Children who love enormous worlds, mythical creatures and old-fashioned adventure.
Katherine Rundell is one of the most celebrated contemporary British children's writers, and Impossible Creatures demonstrates exactly why. This series transports readers to the Archipelago, a hidden world where magical creatures that have disappeared from our own world still exist. The result is an exhilarating adventure filled with griffins, dragons, danger and discovery. What makes Rundell's fantasy particularly special is her writing. Her books have the sense of wonder associated with classic children's fantasy, but her characters feel immediate and emotionally believable. Try it if they like: Mythical creatures, Narnia or stories about discovering a world hidden from ordinary people.
The Hatmakers by Tamsin Merchant:
Best for: Readers who enjoy historical settings with a magical twist.
Set in a magical version of eighteenth-century London, The Hatmakers series follows Cordelia Hatmaker, a young girl from a family whose hats contain magical ingredients. These books combine fantasy with historical adventure, giving readers secret societies, enchanted objects, family mysteries and a richly imagined London. It's an excellent choice for children who are beginning to move beyond straightforward magical-school stories. The world feels larger and more textured, while the central mystery keeps the story moving. Try it if they like: Magic mixed with history, mysteries and stories about unusual families.
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski:
Best for: Children who dream of travelling to impossible places.
Imagine walking into a mysterious travel agency and discovering that its suitcases don't contain clothes — they contain entire worlds. That's the starting point for L.D. Lapinski's Strangeworlds Travel Agency series. The books follow Flick Hudson as she discovers a magical network of parallel worlds and becomes involved in increasingly dangerous adventures. The concept makes this series particularly appealing to imaginative readers: each new destination can be completely different from the last. Try it if they like: Portal fantasy, alternate worlds and stories where almost anything seems possible.
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes:
Best for: Funny fantasy readers who like their magic with plenty of chaos.
Not every fantasy adventure needs to be dark and epic. Amy Sparkes's The House at the Edge of Magic series is a much more playful affair. Nine-year-old Nine discovers a miniature magical house and becomes involved with its eccentric inhabitants. What follows is a wonderfully chaotic adventure involving magic, strange creatures and a collection of characters who are difficult to forget. This is a particularly good recommendation for children who love humour. The books have plenty of imagination without requiring readers to navigate the enormous amount of lore found in some epic fantasy series. Try it if they like: Whimsical fantasy, comic adventures and stories with lots of eccentric characters.
The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan:
Best for: Children who love the idea that their imagination might actually be real.
Twins Arthur and Rose discover that the imaginary world they created as younger children — Roar — might not be imaginary after all. Jenny McLachlan's series plays with one of childhood's most appealing ideas: what if the worlds we invent during play actually continue to exist when we're not looking? The result is a warm, funny adventure about siblings, imagination and growing up, alongside the obligatory dragons, villains and magical dangers.Try it if they like: Portal fantasy, dragons and stories about the power of imagination.
Cogheart by Peter Bunzl:
Best for: Readers who enjoy fantasy, mystery and steampunk adventure.
Peter Bunzl's Cogheart series takes readers to an alternative version of Victorian England, where clockwork animals and mechanical servants exist alongside humans.The first book follows Lily, whose father disappears under mysterious circumstances. Alongside a mechanical fox and a human friend, she becomes caught up in a dangerous conspiracy. Although Cogheart is more steampunk than traditional high fantasy, it deserves a place on any list of fantasy adventures for this age group with its combination of fantasy, historical adventure and science fiction. Try it if they like: Steampunk, inventions, mysteries and fast-paced adventures.
