Middle-Grade Fantasy Books The Whole Family Will Enjoy

f you love dragons and heartwarming middle-grade fantasy, then Aisling Fowler’s Fireborn is a must-read! Twelve, a young orphan girl, shares a unique bond with a dragon. She dreams of becoming a dragon rider, but her lowly status makes it seem impossible.

However, when her dragon hatches early, Twelve gets a chance to prove herself. She embarks on a dangerous quest to save her friends and her island home. Fireborn blends exciting dragon adventures with themes of friendship, courage, and believing in yourself. It’s a perfect middle-grade fantasy book that both kids and parents will love.

In Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Shah and the End of Time, twelve-year-old Aru accidentally unleashes a demon while trying to impress her classmates. However, this seemingly disastrous event reveals a hidden truth: Aru is a Pandava, a reincarnation of one of the five legendary brothers from Hindu mythology.

Now, Aru must embrace her destiny and embark on a quest to save the world. She journeys through the Kingdom of Death, faces mythical creatures, and discovers the power of friendship and self-belief. This fantasy adventure weaves together humor, heart, and a rich tapestry of Indian mythology. Parents and kids alike will be captivated by Aru’s courage and wit as she navigates this exciting and educational journey.

Forget everything you think you know about libraries and librarians! In Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, our hero, Alcatraz Smedry, discovers a secret. Turns out librarians are actually evil masterminds who control the world. And they’re out to get him.

With his knack for breaking things (it’s a talent, really!), Alcatraz joins his quirky grandfather and a band of misfit Smedrys to fight back. This hilarious middle-grade is packed with action, adventure, and plenty of laughs. Adults will appreciate the witty humor and clever satire, while kids will love the fast-paced plot and Alcatraz’s unique “talent.”

Morrigan Crow, the “cursed child” of Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor, faces a grim fate. She’s destined to die on her eleventh birthday. However, a mysterious stranger named Jupiter North whisks her away to Nevermoor, a magical city filled with wonders.

Morrigan discovers she’s been chosen to compete for a place at the prestigious Wundrous Society. But she must pass a series of trials, each more dangerous than the last. With its quirky characters, whimsical setting, and a touch of darkness, Nevermoor is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that will charm both children and adults alike.

In B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers, Amari Peters, a young girl from a struggling family, discovers a hidden world of magic. She receives a mysterious invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, a secret organization that protects the world from supernatural threats. But she must prove herself first.

Amari trains alongside other gifted children, learning to harness her own unique abilities. She unravels secrets about her missing brother and confronts prejudice along the way. This middle-grade fantasy adventure bursts with action, humor, and heart. Adults will appreciate its themes of resilience and belonging, while kids will love the magical creatures and thrilling challenges. It’s a perfect book to spark a shared love of fantasy between generations.

In Sarah Jean Horwitz’s The Demon Sword Asperides, a scheming demon sword named Asperides teams up with Nack, a bumbling young knight. Asperides, tired of evil, seeks a fresh start. Nack, eager to prove himself, craves adventure. Their unlikely alliance leads them on a quest to defeat an evil sorcerer.

Challenges arise, from undead creatures to constant bickering. However, this humorous middle-grade fantasy is filled with heart and adventure. Kids will love the quirky characters and fast-paced plot. Adults will appreciate the witty dialogue and subtle life lessons.

In Sarah Beth Durst’s Even & Odd, two sisters share a magical connection, but their personalities clash. Even embraces magic, while Odd avoids it. However, when a magical mishap traps them in the fantastical land of Firoth, they must cooperate to find a way home.

The sisters discover a power-hungry wizard disrupting the magical balance. With the help of a chatty unicorn, they embark on a quest to restore harmony and reunite families separated by a closed border. This whimsical middle-grade fantasy delights with quirky characters and an enchanting world, while also exploring themes of sisterhood and courage.

In Jaclyn Moriarty’s The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone, young Bronte faces an extraordinary quest after her parents’ untimely demise. Their will sends her on a whirlwind journey across magical kingdoms, visiting ten eccentric aunts she’s never met.

But the journey comes with a catch: Bronte must follow the will’s instructions to the letter, or her hometown faces destruction. From dragon-filled forests to pirate-infested seas, she encounters danger and adventure at every turn, all while discovering the true meaning of family. This heartwarming middle-grade fantasy is full of humor and heart, perfect for a shared family reading experience.

In Robert Beatty’s Willa of the Wood, Willa is a young “night-spirit,” part of an ancient clan living hidden in the Great Smoky Mountains. She uses her magical connection to the forest to steal from humans, whom her people see as enemies. But when Willa gets separated from her clan, she begins to question everything she’s been taught.

Willa encounters kind humans and discovers that not all of them are evil. This middle-grade fantasy adventure weaves together themes of friendship, environmentalism, and the power of seeing beyond differences. With its lush descriptions of the Smoky Mountains and a captivating story of self-discovery, Willa of the Wood is a book that both children and adults will treasure.

In DaVaun Sanders’ Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, Keynan discovers a hidden talent for magic. He joins a diverse group of young mages at the prestigious Magus Academy. However, not everyone welcomes their extraordinary abilities.

As Keynan and his friends train and learn, they uncover a sinister plot threatening their magical community. They must band together to protect their school and the magic they cherish. This action-packed middle-grade fantasy celebrates friendship, diversity, and the power of believing in yourself. The story’s engaging plot and relatable characters will resonate with readers of all ages.

In Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a young girl named Luna gets accidentally fed moonlight as a baby. This imbues her with extraordinary magic. She grows up in the care of a kind witch, Xan, a swamp monster named Glerk, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon named Fyrian. But as her magic grows stronger, so does the threat to her and those she loves.

Luna’s story is full of heart, humor, and a touch of darkness. It explores themes of love, family, and the power of kindness. This middle-grade fantasy is perfect for readers of all ages. Adults will appreciate its lyrical prose and deeper themes, while children will be captivated by the magical world and endearing characters.

In Anne Ursu’s The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, magic is a privilege reserved for boys in the kingdom of Illyria. Marya, a young girl with a rebellious streak, finds herself exiled to Dragomir Academy, a school for “troubled” girls. She learns that magic isn’t as simple as she once believed.

At Dragomir, Marya and her fellow students discover hidden truths about their world and the dark forces lurking beneath the surface. They question the traditional roles assigned to them and find their own strength in unity. This middle-grade fantasy is a captivating tale of friendship, courage, and challenging societal norms. Parents and kids will be drawn into this story of empowerment and self-discovery.

In Linh S. Nguyen’s No Place Like Home, eleven-year-old Lan struggles to adjust to her new life in Canada. She misses her home in Vietnam and finds solace in books. However, one book transports her to a magical world where she discovers she has a role to play.

In the world of Silva, Lan becomes a witch with the power to help the protagonists of the story she was reading. She faces magical creatures and a reluctant king as she learns about her own strength and the true meaning of home. This enchanting middle-grade fantasy beautifully explores themes of belonging, identity, and the power of stories. It’s a heartfelt adventure that will resonate with both children and adults.

In Amanda Foody’s The Accidental Apprentice, Barclay Thorne is an orphan living in a town with a ton of rules. One rule forbids venturing into the Woods, where dangerous magical beasts reside. However, Barclay accidentally breaks that rule and bonds with a beast, forcing him to flee his home.

Barclay discovers a hidden world of Lore Keepers, people who share a unique bond with magical beasts. He begins training to become a Lore Keeper, facing thrilling challenges and forming new friendships. This middle-grade fantasy is perfect for families who love adventure and heartwarming stories. Kids will be captivated by the magical creatures and Barclay’s journey, while adults will appreciate the themes of belonging and self-discovery.

In Summer Rachel Short’s The Legend of Greyhallow, siblings Nori and Gabe receive a mysterious invitation to Greyhallow manor. It’s a place filled with secrets, magical creatures, and a legendary treasure. But the siblings soon discover that all is not as it seems.

Danger lurks within the manor’s walls, and Nori and Gabe must work together to solve puzzles, outsmart traps, and uncover the truth behind Greyhallow’s dark past. This middle-grade fantasy adventure combines mystery, magic, and sibling rivalry into a captivating story. The fast-paced plot and intriguing characters will keep readers of all ages engaged.