The best middle grade fantasy books about dragons, sword fights, elves, and such

James R. Hannibal Author Of The Lost Property Office
By James R. Hannibal

Who am I?

Since childhood, I’ve been creating stories about worlds just beyond the reach of our fingers but not beyond the reach of our minds. Now, all grown up, I have the pleasure of seeing those stories on bookstore shelves—some in locations and languages all over the world.


I wrote...

The Lost Property Office

By James R. Hannibal,

Book cover of The Lost Property Office

What is my book about?

The Lost Property Office is the first in a trilogy that follows American thirteen-year-old Jack Buckles as he navigates a hidden world of London secret societies—the Ministries of Trackers, Guilds, Secrets, and Dragons. While searching for his missing father, Jack learns of his place in the Ministry of Trackers and meets apprentice quartermaster Gwen Kincaid (the Watson to his Holmes). The two must recover a powerful artifact to save Jack’s father and stop the mad Clockmaker from recreating the Great Fire of London. 

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The books I picked & why

Keeper of the Lost Cities

By Shannon Messenger,

Book cover of Keeper of the Lost Cities

Why this book?

Keeper of the Lost Cities is the first of ten books in the series of the same name. Who doesn’t love a long-running series with plenty of stories to tell? Shannon is amazing at creating fantastical worlds that intersect with our own. Sophie Foster’s telepathic abilities are her first clue that perhaps she doesn’t quite belong. And when Fitz shows up—a boy who shares her ability—he confirms it. Fitz whisks her away to a land of elves, wonder, and danger. This is a wish-fulfillment book of I-should-be-anyplace-else-but-here that goes terribly wrong when a group of rebel elves proves they are intent on doing Sophie harm.

Keeper of the Lost Cities

By Shannon Messenger,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Keeper of the Lost Cities as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A New York Times bestselling series
A USA TODAY bestselling series
A California Young Reader Medal-winning series

In this riveting series opener, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world before the wrong person finds the answer first.

Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She's skipped multiple grades and doesn't really connect with the older kids at school, but she's not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie's a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret-at least, that's what she thinks...

But the day Sophie…


On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

By Andrew Peterson, Joe Sutphin (illustrator),

Book cover of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Why this book?

You can see Andrew Peterson’s whimsy in the title of this book and feel it throughout the story. Three children in a world very similar to our own are thrown into an adventure in which they must face sea dragons and terrible venomous lizard people. The Wingfeather Saga (which this story begins) captures readers with a gorgeous world and nonstop adventure. But where it wins my heart is the overriding theme. The soul of this story is family.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

By Andrew Peterson, Joe Sutphin (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

After living for years under the occupation by the evil Fangs of Dang, the Igiby children find a map rumoured to lead to the lost Jewels of Anniera - the one thing the Fangs will do anything to find. The family is thrown headlong into a perilous adventure, uncovering truths about who they are that will change their world forever.

Repackaged with new illustrations, this is the opportunity to discover the Wingfeathers.


Book cover of Fear No Evil: A Towers of Light family read aloud

Why this book?

Fear No Evil is the first in Allen’s Towers of Light series of family reads. In similar fashion to the Wingfeather Saga, a group of siblings must navigate a new world to save their parents. Allen’s world enables us to see a world untouched by sin and then the damage done when sin begins to taint the landscape and its inhabitants. I love these stories so much because of Allen’s unique fireside storytelling style. The easy and almost rhythmic flow of his prose lends itself to read-alouds that adults, middle graders, and younger siblings can all enjoy.

Fear No Evil: A Towers of Light family read aloud

By Allen Brokken,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fear No Evil as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Separated by tragedy on the river...
...Lauren, Aiden and Ethan are lost and alone in a valley of darkness.

Without each other or their Knight Protector, the three siblings must navigate the wilderness while fending off creatures tainted by evil. Meanwhile, the yellow acolyte has ascended the throne of the Iron Hills and holds Mother and Father captive in the heart of the mountain. Will the children's faith give them the courage to save their parents?

"My kids are loving these books! They arrive and are devoured quickly and passed on to the next child to read. I like to…


The Unwanteds

By Lisa McMann,

Book cover of The Unwanteds

Why this book?

I love a good underdog story, and what better underdog is there an unwanted tweenager? Lisa wrote the Unwanteds as a fantastical answer to the loss of arts programs in public schools. In her story, set on the island of Quill, artistic tendencies are suppressed and those who fail to hide it are banished to (well, no spoilers). But if you love a good magical boarding school tale of friends, traitors, and new abilities, this series is for you.  

The Unwanteds

By Lisa McMann,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Unwanteds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A riveting middlegrade dystopian novel from New York Times bestselling Wake author Lisa McMann that Kirkus Reviews calls "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a…


Dragon Rider

By Cornelia Funke,

Book cover of Dragon Rider

Why this book?

Dragon Rider is a lesser-known tale from the author who brought you Inkheart. As I said before, I love stories about worlds that intersect our own, and Dragon Rider is one of those. When the human expansion threatens to destroy the home of the last known dragons, Firedrake and his brownie friend Sorrel set out in search of the Rim of Heaven, where dragons can live in peace. A boy, Ben, is swept up in their journey and a fast-paced adventure follows. Good and bad humans as well as an evil manmade dragon keep the heroes on their toes and the pages turning.

Dragon Rider

By Cornelia Funke,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Dragon Rider as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The very first dragon adventure from the legendary author
of Inkheart, Cornelia Funke - now a major film, over
1 million English language copies sold worldwide and a New
York Times bestseller!
Now a Sky Original film, only on Sky Cinema

'A warm-hearted dream of a book.' THE GUARDIAN

'Funke is the queen of world-building ... glorious escapism'
THE TIMES

A dragon. A boy. A journey.

Firedrake, a brave young dragon, embarks on a magical journey
to find the legendary place where silver dragons can live in peace
for ever.

Along the way, he discovers extraordinary new friends and a…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in elves, identity, and brothers?

8,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about elves, identity, and brothers.

Elves Explore 51 books about elves
Identity Explore 92 books about identity
Brothers Explore 79 books about brothers

And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

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