11 Exciting Books To Read With Your Kids

11 Exciting Books to Read With Your Kids

Benefits of Reading to Young Children

• Encourages curiosity and creativity
• Develops language skills
• Enhances concentration
• Teaches facts and life lessons
• Helps strengthen the parent/child bond

Why Reading Matters

In Depth

Fantasy-based novels cultivate one's sense of wonder and imagination. This couldn't be more true for children and pre-teens. Engaging with creativity and developing a moral compass are critical parts of growing up. That's why we've compiled 11 exciting books that you can read with your kids. Take note that they are listed here in no particular order.

First on the list at #1, is "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman. This novel is the first of the fantasy trilogy, "His Dark Materials." The narrative focuses on Lyra and her journey to the Arctic North, where her abducted friend and imprisoned uncle are taken. She later discovers that lending a helping hand to one of them would mean betrayal to the other. This book is suitable for ages 10 and up. It explores multiple parallel universes where humans have animal counterparts. The story explores the ideas of courage and heroism amidst seemingly unconquerable obstacles.

Up next at #2, is "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke. This novel is about a book within a book, where Mortimer, a father, can summon characters out of a text when he reads aloud. As he reads to his daughter, Meggie, an evil entity, along with his henchmen, comes to life. Meggie must learn how to harness her father's magical ability in order to return the dark forces to the realm of fiction.

This novel is about a book within a book, where Mortimer, a father, can summon characters out of a text when he reads aloud.

In at #3, is "The Unwanteds" by Lisa McMann. This novel is set in a dystopian world, where thirteen-year-olds are separated into three factions. Those who are labeled as "Wanted" receive a proper education and military training. Those categorized as "necessary" are expected to operate the farmlands, while the "unwanteds" are taken to a death farm. But Alex, along with his fellow rejects, discovers that they are really being taken to a place where they need to make use of their creative talents as magical abilities.

At #4, is the first book in the series "The Land of Stories" called, "The Wishing Spell," by Chris Colfer. Twins, Alex and Conner, receive a classic fairytale book from their grandmother. Little do they know that the fantasy world will become their reality. In this magical realm, they encounter familiar characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Goldilocks. Trapped in the story with the Evil Queen after them, and with witches and goblins in their path, their quest is to find their way back home.

Coming in at #5, is "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz. This action-adventure novel is the first book in the "Alex Rider" series. Fourteen-year-old Alex is determined to find the truth behind his uncle's death. He is told that he died in a car accident, but the bullet holes in the windshield say otherwise. When he discovers that his uncle was a top secret agent who was killed during a mission, he gets recruited to hunt for the hitmen who are now after him, and save every child in England from a terrorist attack.

When he discovers that his uncle was a top secret agent who was killed during a mission, he gets recruited to hunt for the hitmen who are now after him, and save every child in England from a terrorist attack.

Up next at #6, is "Tuesdays at the Castle" by Jessica Day George. In this fantasy tale, a magical castle seems to have a life of its own, able to move things around, add new rooms, and even choose its own ruler. The Glower kingdom faces doom when the king and queen get ambushed, leaving Princess Celie to protect the castle and her community from harm.

At #7, is "The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen. This book is the first in the "Ascendance" trilogy, and is about a divided kingdom. Determined to stop civil war from breaking out, Bevin Conner, a court nobleman, sets out to find someone who can pretend to be the long-lost prince. One of the four recruits is Sage, a rebellious boy who finds Conner's intentions suspicious. Conflicted between the dubious plan and losing his life, Sage chooses to fight for the role so he can avoid getting killed, and uncover the truth in the process.

In at #8, is "Keeper of the Lost Cities" by Shannon Messenger. In this book, a twelve-year-old girl named Sophie struggles to live harmoniously with anyone, both in school, and at home with her family. What others don't know is that she can read minds. Her telepathic power keeps her from having a normal life. When she meets Fitz, a boy who possesses the same gift, he takes her to a new world. The story unfolds as Sophie discovers more about her true identity, and why she has been living among humans.

Her telepathic power keeps her from having a normal life.

Next at #9, is "Magyk" by Angie Sage. This book is the first in a seven-book series called "Septimus Heap." In the story, a newborn boy named Septimus Heap, strangely disappears. His father, Silas Heap, soon discovers a mysterious infant girl with violet eyes, abandoned in the snow. This fantasy novel delves into an adventure of lost and found identities, under magical circumstances.

Coming in at #10, is "Airborn" by Kenneth Oppel. The story takes place in an alternate world where airships roam the skies. Matt Cruse, a cabin boy in the luxurious ship Aurora, saves a man from his failing hot air balloon. Six months later, Matt meets Kate de Vries, the granddaughter of the man he had rescued. Kate tells Matt of her granddad's mission, which involves the discovery of a new species. But when pirates suddenly attack and loot Aurora, the raiders' vessel hits theirs, and sends them crashing onto an uncharted island. They then come across a mysterious "cloud cat" that matches her grandfather's description.

And last but not least at #11, is "Wings of Fire Book One: The Dragonet Prophecy" by Tui T. Sutherland. In this tale, Clay and four of his fellow young dragons live in a violent world under a mountain. Their caretakers are abusive, and dragons that are deemed useless are tortured or killed. Clay and the others must find a way to escape, and at the same time, fulfill their destiny of ending the destruction altogether.