15 Magical Middle Grade Fantasy Books for Tweens

If you’re searching for the best middle grade fantasy books for your readers, I’m excited to share my favorite recommendations for kids ages 9 to 12.

I’ve personally read and reviewed every one of these books to help you find the best, age-appropriate, well-written titles. I’m a former teacher with a Master’s in Education, a parent of two, an experienced book reviewer of 15+ years, and an avid reader.

So if you want to hook readers on middle grade fantasy books that will transport them into exciting worlds filled with magical creatures and magic, these are my favorite 15 fantasy books for kids.

Magical Middle Grade Fantasy Books

The Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
(series) 

Rowan doesn’t want to be the queen, she wants to be a Monster Hunter. When tragedy strikes her brother, she gets to be the Royal Monster Slayer with her aunt and her brother will be king. Unfortunately, Rowan must face and kill a gryphon soon, or her scheming uncle will get the throne instead of her brother. The story is an exciting adventure filled with surprises, mythical creatures, and new friendships. 

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The Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate
(series)

The conquering human ruler, Murdano, hunts and kills all the dog-like Dairnes except Byx. Byx wants to find a safe place or Dairne’s mythical homeland, so she sets off on what becomes a dangerous, exciting adventure filled with new friends like Tobble, a wobbyk. I love every book in this BEST EVER fantasy book series set in a uniquely imagined fantasy world about friendship, differences, betrayal, and family.

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Unico Awakening created by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, and Gurihiru

The jealous and vengeful goddess Venus hates Unico and orders the West Wind to kidnap Unico. But the West Wind moves a now memoryless Unico from place to place, hiding him from the wrath of Venus. At this location, Unico meets a mistreated cat named Chloe and a friendly old lady. When Unico’s magic grants Chloe’s wish to become human, the consequences are huge. So Unico teams up with new forest animal friends to stop the evil man and rescue Chloe.

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Bridget Vanderpuff Baked Escape written by Martin Stewart, illustrated by David Habben
(series)

I LOVE everything about this story: the writing, the quirky, brave inventor orphan main character, Bridget, the exciting adventures, the humor, and the loving found family– this will be a HUGE hit with kids! Bridget escapes the horrible orphanage and the meanie headmistress when Mr. Vanderpuff, the baker, adopts her. At the bakery, Bridget gets her own room with a big bed, meets the bakery’s elf Pascal, and is fed delicious baked goods that the kindhearted Mr. Vanderpuff bakes. But whenever Bridget tries to bake, her attempts go wrong every time, whether she’s cracking eggs or making buttercream. Then the worst thing happens — Mr. Vanderpuff is kidnapped! Bridget must use her failed baking attempts and bravery to save him. But will it work?

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The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips, illustrated by Isabelle Follath
(series)

If you like funny illustrated middle grade books, don’t miss this entertaining middle grade fantasy about Ebenezer, a man over 500 years old kept alive by a monstrous Beast. The Beast trades youth cream for exotic foods…and now the Beast wants his food to be a child. So Ebenezer adopts the rudest girl at a local orphanage named Bethany and begins to fatten her up. Truly, Bethany is horrid for a while until she’s not…and Ebenezer feels so bad and confesses his evil plan. Together, find a solution to get rid of the Beast and get a happy ending! (Or do they?)

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Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
(series)

When Amari’s brother vanishes mysteriously, she receives a message from him explaining that she’s a magician and should attend a special school for magic. There, she discovers she’s a magician with outlawed dark magic. Even still, she’s determined to stay in the school so she can find her brother. Fantastic fantasy world-building, excellent writing, a strong female heroine of color, and a surprise plot twist ending!

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The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis (series)

A food mage turns a dragon named Aventurine into a human using a magical chocolate drink. No longer accepted by her dragon clan, Aventurine travels to the nearest city to apprentice herself to a chocolate shop. She’s a brave, adventurous girl who makes her chocolate dreams come true with help from a new friend and kind employers. But will she be as brave when her dragon family attacks the town? 

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Skyriders by Polly Holyoke
(series)

A courier for the kingdom, Kie rides a formerly wild skyrider, a small, fast-winged horse. But fearing a full chimera invasion, her uncle sends Kie to the capital to convince the leaders to use the old ways of fighting. Kie eventually convinces the prince and a few other cadets to start training in the old ways. Meanwhile, she learns she can mindspeak to all skyriders, which will help save their life when she and her friends must save the city themselves. Readers love this reluctant heroine who saves the kingdom.

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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

A good witch rescues a town’s abandoned babies and gives them to another town to love. Except for one baby who tje witch adopts for her own, a special baby named Luna. This is also the story of the baby’s magical, bereaved mother, a wicked witch who feeds off sorrow, a woodcarver who wants justice, but most of all, Luna.

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Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

Sophomore in High school, Marjan’s father recently died, leaving her alone and the owner of her dad’s veterinary practice. When asked to help a sick gryffin, she’s shocked to discover her father’s secret job as a mythical creature vet. She slowly unravels the lies and secrets in her father’s life and suspects he was murdered. Soon, Marjan isn’t sure if she can trust her instincts about right and wrong…and she feels like she’s missing part of herself. Woven within the narrative story are her father’s Iranian folktales about mythical creatures. This middle grade fantasy is full of layered storytelling, plot twists, and surprises!

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The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice by John A. Flanagan (series)

Will is not excited about his apprenticeship as a Ranger. But as he slowly develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), Will comes to embrace his new role. When an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will must get help and save his master. Action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing — this book has everything!

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Wicked Marigold written by Caroline Carlson

Princess Marigold’s perfect older sister, Rosalind, has returned after years of living with the evil wizard who kidnapped her. Since Marigold can’t compete, she embraces her wickedness and runs away to the evil wizard and his imp assistant. Trying to prove her wickedness, Marigold accidentally turns the wizard into a blob! One disaster after another ensues, and eventually, Marigold must decide if she will side with the villains or warn her family they’re about to be destroyed. Excellent storytelling, brilliant character development, and compelling writing.

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Kingdom Riders created by Shannon Eric Denton and Marcus To

A poor, low-born girl named Kayla wants to earn enough money to buy her best friend’s freedom. She and her frog steed enter a race to earn money and unexpectedly earn a spot on a team for the kingdom’s race to the death. Filled with unique magic, danger, and betrayal, cool creatures, and a sinister ruler, this is a must-read epic middle grade fantasy graphic novel starring a heroic main character whose kindness toward others shocks the kingdom and inspires her team.

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Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
(series)

Do not miss this classic middle grade fantasy story about a strong female princess named Cimorene who doesn’t want to be a damsel in distress and married off. So she leaves her home to apprentice herself to a dragon. Then, she must help save her dragon from the wizards. We highly recommend this book series and read it for bedtime stories TWICE.

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Find even more fantasy books for kids and tweens here!

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