Fantasy is the gateway genre for most lifelong middle grade readers. Magic schools, dragon clans, lost kingdoms, chosen ones — these are the stories that turn an occasional reader into a devoted one. Browse all middle grade fantasy in our catalog or start here — the best fantasy books and series for tween readers ages 8–13.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The series that built modern middle grade fantasy. Books 1–4 are middle grade in scope and tone; books 5–7 mature into upper middle grade and YA. Still the most-recommended fantasy gateway for tweens.
📖 Browse the full Harry Potter reading order → · 📖 Complete reading order guide → · 📚 Find Sorcerer's Stone on Amazon →
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy discovers he's the son of Poseidon and gets pulled into a world of Greek gods, monsters, and quests across America. Five books in the original series, plus the whole connected Riordan universe — Heroes of Olympus, Trials of Apollo, Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase — that can keep a reader busy for years.
📖 Browse the Percy Jackson reading order → · 📖 Complete reading order guide → · 📚 Find The Lightning Thief on Amazon →
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are prophesied to end a generations-long war. Found family, palace intrigue, distinct dragon clans, and an active fandom that ranks "which tribe are you?" with the same energy other kids put into Harry Potter houses. The graphic novel adaptations pull reluctant readers into the world.
📖 Browse the Wings of Fire reading order → · 📖 Complete reading order guide → · 📚 Find The Dragonet Prophecy on Amazon →
Quest Chasers by Thomas Lockhaven and Grace Lockhaven
Eevie, Tommy, and Drew get pulled into Equis — a hidden magical world ruled by an evil queen with an unquenchable thirst for human souls — and have to solve deadly puzzles to survive. Quest Chasers blends fantasy adventure with mystery-style puzzle-solving in a way that's rare in middle grade. Three books: The Deadly Cavern, The Screaming Mummy, and The Chalice of Souls. The Lockhavens write the series together.
📖 Browse the full Quest Chasers reading order → · 📚 Find The Deadly Cavern on Amazon →
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Twelve-year-old Sophie discovers she's an elf and gets pulled into the Lost Cities to learn about her real heritage. Ten novels and counting in the main arc, with a devoted fan base that rivals Harry Potter for sheer enthusiasm.
📖 Browse the Keeper of the Lost Cities reading order → · 📚 Find Keeper of the Lost Cities on Amazon →
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Twin siblings Alex and Conner fall into a world where every fairy tale character is real. Six books in the main series, plus companion volumes. The series gradually deepens from fun fractured-fairy-tale opener into epic multi-realm adventure.
📖 Browse the Land of Stories reading order → · 📚 Find The Wishing Spell on Amazon →
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Meg Murry and her brother Charles Wallace travel across dimensions to rescue their father. The Newbery-winning classic that paved the way for everything else on this list — written in 1962 but still completely readable today, with science, faith, and family at its core.
📖 Browse the Wrinkle in Time Quintet → · 📚 Find A Wrinkle in Time on Amazon →
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
A Rick Riordan Presents series that pulls from Hindu mythology. Aru accidentally frees a demon and has to find the reincarnations of the Pandava brothers — the five legendary heroes of the Mahabharata — to save the world. Five books in the main series, all great.
📖 Browse the Pandava Series reading order → · 📚 Find Aru Shah on Amazon →
How to pick the right fantasy series
If your tween loves: Mythology and humor → Percy Jackson or Aru Shah. Magic schools and chosen ones → Harry Potter or Keeper of the Lost Cities. Animal characters and palace intrigue → Wings of Fire. Puzzle-solving inside a magical world → Quest Chasers. Fairy tales with modern voice → Land of Stories. Classic feel → A Wrinkle in Time.
🐉 Browse every fantasy book in our catalog, or explore all our reading guides.