{"id":194,"date":"2022-09-15T20:21:26","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T20:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/litblog.wpengine.com\/?p=194"},"modified":"2023-10-13T02:51:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T02:51:28","slug":"the-best-middle-grade-fantasy-books-for-preteens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/literati.com\/best-kids-books\/by-genre\/fantasy-folklore\/the-best-middle-grade-fantasy-books-for-preteens\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Middle Grade Fantasy Books for Preteens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Middle school is a lot like stepping into a totally new world, full of strange faces and unfamiliar places (possibly with a mouthful of braces). With so much to learn, transitioning from elementary school to sixth grade (and up!) could make anyone\u2019s knees wobble\u2014it takes a hero indeed to face such numerous foes!

It\u2019s no wonder so many of our most-beloved middle grade books are full of fantasy adventures<\/a>, magical new worlds, and mythical beasts to battle or befriend. Such stories dazzle and enchant young readers, helping kids aged 9 to 12 master their spelling (if not their spell-casting), comprehension and vocabulary, all while pulling them into the exciting realm of fantasy fiction.

If you\u2019re hoping to charm a young reader into a lifelong love of reading, try summoning some of Literati\u2019s best middle-grade fantasy books for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Book\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Lost Rainforest #1: Mez\u2019s Magic<\/h3>\n \n

by Eliot Schrefer <\/p>\n \n

\n It\u2019s not often you get to stroll in a panther\u2019s pawsteps. From New York Times<\/i> bestselling author Eliot Schrefer, this adventure takes your young reader straight into the wild of Caldera, where a young panther must use her unusual powers to unravel an ancient mystery and save her endangered rainforest home. \r\n

\r\nQuietly educational and powerfully intriguing, this three-part series infuses magical worldbuilding into an intricate animal kingdom reminiscent of Erin Hunter\u2019s Warriors<\/i> and Bravelands<\/i> books (also Literati favorites!).\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n
\n

More Adventure Fantasy<\/h3>\n \n \n

\n If your 9-12 year old loves daring quests and dangerous expeditions, there\u2019s plenty more journeys to be had!\r\n

\r\nThe Lost Property Office<\/i> \u2013 a secret society, a missing magical artifact, and the thrilling, history-riddled adventure to recover it .\r\n

\r\nRace to the End of the World<\/i> \u2013 an ordinary boy with an extraordinary memory launches on an ambitious voyage to the edge of the map.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Book\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Okay Witch<\/h3>\n \n

by Emma Steinkellner <\/p>\n \n

\n Like many 13-year-olds, Moth Hush doesn\u2019t quite fit in at school. But unlike her peers, her family legacy is tied to her town\u2019s history of witch drama. Once her powers emerge, a talking cat and an enchanted diary lead her to the hidden witch world, where she discovers secrets of generations past.\r\n

\r\nThis charming graphic novel magically balances humor and heart for a down-to-earth take on supernatural adolescence. It\u2019s a spellbinding coming-of-age story full of twists and surprises!\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n
\n

More Fantasy Graphic Novels<\/h3>\n \n \n

\n And did we mention the gorgeous art? If your middle-grade reader finds illustrations particularly illuminating, might we also suggest:\r\n

\r\nPashmina<\/i> \u2013 a heartwarming tale about the hardship of juggling two cultures and two worlds, and the self-discovery that results.\r\n

\r\nNightlights<\/i> \u2013 a whimsical story about fear, creativity, and a girl who can create magical creatures from tiny sparks of light \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Book\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Collectors<\/h3>\n \n

by Jacqueline West <\/p>\n \n

\n Not all wishes are good\u2014in fact, even good wishes often have unintended consequences. But who gets to decide which ones come true? This twisty narrative will have your middle schooler questioning everything about wish-making as they follow a boy named Van into the mysterious, nuanced world of those who \u201ccollect\u201d them.\r\n

\r\nThis underground world is as delightful as it is thought-provoking\u2014perfect for any middle grader navigating new academic challenges and social dynamics. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n
\n

More Magical Fantasy<\/h3>\n \n \n

\n If wildly creative magics and mystical worlds keep your intermediate reader engaged for hours, we\u2019re right there with them\u2014these are some of our favorite reads!\r\n

\r\nThe Nightmare Thief <\/i>\u2013 Maren loves to make and sell dreams in her family\u2019s shop, until one sinister customer demands a nightmare.\r\n

\r\nLalani of the Distant Sea<\/i> \u2013 to save her village, Lalani must face several fearsome mythical creatures inspired by Filipino folklore.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Book\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Land of Roar<\/h3>\n \n

By Jenny McLachlan <\/p>\n \n

\n It\u2019s been years since Rose and Arthur traversed the folding bed in Grandad\u2019s attic to their imaginary Land of Roar, but while cleaning the attic, Grandad himself gets pulled in! And if our readership is any indication, so will your middle-grade reader. \r\n

\r\nWith constant danger and intrigue, this gorgeously-illustrated story has proven time and time again to help develop consistent reading habits in budding fantasy-lovers.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n
\n

More Portal Fantasy<\/h3>\n \n \n

\n If your kid hopes to stumble into an entirely new world, they\u2019ll love getting lost in these fabulous fantasies:\r\n

\r\nThe Island of Dr. Libris<\/i> \u2013 when Billy discovers the mysterious bookcase of Dr. Libris, he uncovers a magic that brings the stories to life.\r\n

\r\nStory Thieves<\/i> \u2013 Owen gets to live every bookworm\u2019s dream: jumping into the text itself (expect high stakes, suspense, and plot twists galore!)\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Book\n <\/div>\n
\n

Odd Gods<\/h3>\n \n

by David Slavin<\/p>\n \n

\n Oddonis is a son of Zeus. He\u2019s surely odd (he doesn\u2019t have powers like the rest of his family and even has webbed toes), but he\u2019s also endearing. He and his friends at Mount Olympus Middle School are an ungodly group, but can they pull it together in time for a big school election? A perfect mix of Percy Jackson<\/i> and Diary of a Wimpy Kid!<\/i>, this mythological mix-up is a giggle-inducing precursor to more complex mythical stories.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n
\n

More Funny Fantasy<\/h3>\n \n \n

\n If busting a gut gets your reader reading, they\u2019ll never want to shelve these hilarious adventures:\r\n

\r\nRat Rule 79: An Adventure<\/i> \u2013 step into the Land of Impossibility: a loopily illogical place where time is outlawed and words carry dire consequences.\r\n

\r\nKnights vs. Dinosaurs<\/i> \u2013 exactly what it says\u2014and so, so much more: laugh yourself to tears with the misadventures of these Knights of the Round Table.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conjure the Best Kids Fantasy Books from Literati<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Complex character relationships between humans, goblins, and dragons alike help guide readers in fourth-seventh grade through their own expanding social circles. Think of fantasy fiction as a wise old wizard handing young readers the map to meaningful relationships. Reading is a great way to foster empathy<\/a> in this age group\u2014you just need to conjure the right books!

At Literati<\/a>, we aim to help reading excel and build a love of literature (without the need for questionable love potions). This list is a small vial of our alchemy; the rest comes in a personalized book box, packed full of just the right stuff for your child\u2019s reading development and unique interests.

Literati Kids book clubs <\/a>deliver perfectly-curated book magic to your door. All you need to do is let them spread their fiery wings\u2014in fantasy, they\u2019ll quickly learn to fly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Middle school is a lot like stepping into a totally new world, full of strange faces and unfamiliar places (possibly with a mouthful of braces). With so much to learn, transitioning from elementary school to sixth grade (and up!) could make anyone\u2019s knees wobble\u2014it takes a hero indeed to face such numerous foes! It\u2019s no … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":404,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,13,14,40],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best Middle Grade Fantasy Books for Preteens<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dazzle your middle grade reader with beloved fantasy books full of adventures, magical new worlds, and mythical beasts to battle or befriend.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/literati.com\/best-kids-books\/by-genre\/fantasy-folklore\/the-best-middle-grade-fantasy-books-for-preteens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best Middle Grade Fantasy Books for 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