9 Excellent Fantasy Novels For Young Readers

Great Middle-Grade And Young Adult Fantasy

1. The Novice by Taran Matharu
2. The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein
3. The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas
4. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
5. The Anybodies by Julianna Baggott
6. Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
7. Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand
8. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
9. Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

How To Capture Middle Grade Readers' Imaginations

In Depth

Fantasy novels often take place in a completely fictional world full of magic and mythical creatures. They usually feature settings inspired by historical time periods, such as the Medieval and Renaissance ages. There is a lot of fantasy literature written with all sorts of audiences in mind. We've created a list of nine excellent novels that younger readers will appreciate. Take note that this list is done in no particular order.

First up, at #1, we have "The Novice." The first book in Taran Matharu's "The Summoner" trilogy, it focuses on the story of Fletcher, a blacksmith's apprentice who suddenly discovers that he has the ability to conjure demons. After learning about his abilities, he starts training at an academy for gifted individuals and finds himself thrust into a war against the Orcish race.

It's a book aimed towards young adults, and it deals with mature themes such as detailed descriptions of violence.

It's a book aimed towards young adults, and it deals with mature themes such as detailed descriptions of violence.

Next, at #2, is "The Winter Prince" by Elizabeth Wein. It's a retelling of the story of Mordred, also known as Medraut, who is King Arthur's illegitimate son from Arthurian legends. It focuses on his shaky relationship with his half-brother Lleu, who's the legitimate heir to the throne. It provides an interesting take on a character who's more popularly known as a traitor, and who had a mutually fatal confrontation with King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann.

At #3 is "The Magic Thief" by Sarah Prineas. It tells the story of a young pickpocket named Connwaer, who stole a stone known as a "locus magicalicus" from a wizard. The stone should have killed Connwaer, but it didn't, and this results in the owner taking an interest in him and making him his apprentice. This is the first entry of Prineas' "Magic Thief" trilogy, and it introduces readers to the mystical city of Wellmet, which is where the story takes place.

Next up, at #4, is "The Lie Tree" by Frances Hardinge. Set during the Victorian era, this young adult novel revolves around a girl named Faith Sunderly. After her father was seemingly murdered, she starts conducting her own investigation. She eventually finds a mysterious tree that, whenever one whispers a lie to it, bears fruit that shows a hidden truth.

She eventually finds a mysterious tree that, whenever one whispers a lie to it, bears fruit that shows a hidden truth.

It's a thrilling murder mystery with a fantastical twist, and it also tackles the real issue of women's rights during that time period.

Next, at #5, we have "The Anybodies." Written by Julianna Baggott, the book tells the story of Fern, a girl who suddenly learns that she and a boy named Howard were accidentally switched at birth. When their parents agree to swap kids for the summer, Fern's life changes forever. She discovers that she comes from a family of "Anybodies," shapeshifters who can disguise themselves as anything or anyone.

At #6 is "Tempests and Slaughter" by Tamora Pierce. It's the first book in Pierce's "The Numair Chronicles" trilogy, and it introduces readers to the Tortall Universe, which is where a lot of the author's novels take place. It features the story of Arram Draper, a young adept with the potential to be one of the most powerful mages in the world.

It features the story of Arram Draper, a young adept with the potential to be one of the most powerful mages in the world.

It's an origin story for some key characters of Pierce's other, much older books, and it can act as a starting point for the Tortall Universe.

Next up, at #7, is "Some Kind of Happiness" by Claire Legrand. It tells the story of a young girl named Finley, who suffers from depression and anxiety. To escape from reality, she writes stories about the "Everwood," a magical kingdom created entirely by her imagination. While spending time at her grandparents' house, Finley and her cousins go on an adventure based on the tales she's written, all while uncovering secrets about her family.

At #8, we have "The Bone Witch" by Rin Chupeco. It revolves around Tea, a girl who hails from a family of "ashas," women who can wield elemental magic. After accidentally resurrecting her brother at his funeral, she discovers that she's a necromancer. Though ashas who specialize in dark magic are feared by many, they're also the only ones who can defeat the daeva, which are demons that come back to life every few years.

After accidentally resurrecting her brother at his funeral, she discovers that she's a necromancer.

In the novel, Tea has to learn how to control her powers in order to deal with the daeva in whatever way she sees fit.

Finally, at #9, is "Ticker." Written by Lisa Mantchev, it tells the story of Penny, a girl with congenital heart disease. After she was involved in a near-fatal accident, a surgeon named Calvin Warwick installed a brass ticker, which is essentially a windup heart, in her chest.

When it is revealed that Warwick experimented on and killed people in order to create the perfect ticker, all hell breaks loose and Penny's parents end up being kidnapped. Now, she has to find a way to rescue them while also dealing with a moral dilemma that, depending on her choices, could lead to her demise.