The most recommended fantasy books for kids

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1,050 authors created a book list with fantasy books for kids, and here are their favorites.

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Book cover of Starcrossed

Stephanie Storm Author Of The Witch Clans: The Heritage

From my list on YA fantasy with strong female characters.

Why am I passionate about this?

Stephanie Storm is a talented young adult fantasy author whose writing is reminiscent of classic fantasy novels with a modern twist. Her imaginative storytelling and richly developed characters draw readers into immersive worlds filled with magic, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes. Her writing style is enchanting, capturing the hearts of readers of all ages and leaving them eagerly turning pages late into the night. Growing up with her nose buried in a book, she found solace and inspiration in the escapism and limitless possibilities of the genre. Her imagination was sparked by the enchanting stories she devoured, which fuelled her passion for writing and creating her own fantastical tales.

Stephanie's book list on YA fantasy with strong female characters

Stephanie Storm Why did Stephanie love this book?

Greek Gods and Godesses are usually a very over done genre, but Josephine nails her take on a retelling.

This series is hands down one of my top series even after all this time and I squealed with joy when I saw that she continued the series when we thought it was done!

By Josephine Angelini,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Starcrossed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton sees Lucas Delos for the first time she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.

With an ancient curse making them loathe one another, Lucas and Helen have to keep their distance. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen . . .

The first book in Josephine Angelini's thrilling series, Starcrossed is a passionate love story that began thousands of…


Book cover of The Lightning Thief

Z.T. Soyoye Author Of The Unwanted

From my list on spark your child-like wonder.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always chased that child-like wonder—the intoxicating mix of passion, adventure, and discovery. Growing up, I sought books that could capture that magic, and as a writer, I now understand how rare and powerful it is to evoke those raw emotions. These books gave me that spark, inspiring me both personally and creatively. They even motivated me to create Visual Novel, a tool designed to bring stories to life and immerse readers further into their worlds. I hope this list rekindles that sense of innocent wonder and reminds you of the beauty and weight of youthful imagination.

Z.T.'s book list on spark your child-like wonder

Z.T. Soyoye Why did Z.T. love this book?

This is a book that feels like stepping into an epic adventure while still staying grounded in real-life struggles. I love Percy’s wit and his ability to keep pushing forward, even when the odds are stacked against him.

His dynamics with those around him are relatable, and reading this reminded me of being a kid, when every discovery felt monumental and every mistake felt earth-shattering. It’s funny and heartfelt—a reminder of the resilience we all have.

By Rick Riordan,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked The Lightning Thief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The Lightning Thief: the First book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.

The first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful Percy Jackson series.

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky,…


Book cover of The Girl Games

Seth J. Gillihan Author Of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace

From Seth's 8-year-old's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Psychologist Dad of three Cook Music lover Gardener

Seth's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, Seth's 8-year-old's favorite books.

Seth J. Gillihan Why did Seth's 8-year-old love this book?

My daughter loved this book because it included all four main goddesses’ perspectives: Artemis, goddess of the hunt; Athena, goddess of wisdom, inventions, and war; Persephone, goddess of plants and queen of the Underworld; and Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty.

It also included 3 God Boys and one human boy: Ares, god of war; Hades, god of the dead, jewels, and king of the Underworld; Heracles, who was turned into a god; and Acteon, who is a mortal. These 8 special God Boys, Goddess Girls, and a mortal go on an exciting expedition…

But you’ll have to read the book to find out much more about these adventurers!

By Suzanne Williams, Joan Holub,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Girl Games as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The first-ever standalone Super Special in the Goddess Girls series--let the games begin!  Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis are so annoyed at being left out of the annual boys-only Olympic Games. Their solution? The Girl Games! But as the Goddess Girls work to turn their dream into a reality, they come up against plenty of chaos, competition, and even the cutest kitten ever. Told in the four girls' alternating points of view, this Super Special is packed with Olympic spirit!


Book cover of The Mark of Athena

Ashley Weiss Author Of Cupid's Compass

From my list on to be emotionally tortured by fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

As an avid reader since childhood, I’ve always hunted for books that deliver the most epic emotional experiences. Stories that you can’t put down even when your eyelids ache for sleep or the page is blurred with tears. The ones where fiction becomes reality and the room around you disappears with every page. Cupid’s Compass was inspired by these all-consuming novels and I expect my future works will follow the same mission: to evoke laughter, tears, and the ever-expansive qualities of humanity.

Ashley's book list on to be emotionally tortured by fiction

Ashley Weiss Why did Ashley love this book?

Am I deranged for loving horrifying cliffhangers? If you do too, book three of five in The Heroes of Olympus is the epitome of jaw-dropping endings you will both love and hate.

This series follows Percy Jackson from the original middle grade content to a young adult era. The stand-out cliffhanger of the series, The Mark of Athena, is bursting with page-turning action and follows multiple characters, but it’s the steadily growing romance between Percy and Annabeth that drives the stakes.

I consider this couple one of the best executed healthy romances in modern youth content. My biggest recommendation is that if you start The Heroes of Olympus series, make sure you have all the books on hand first, because you will need the next one on hand.

By Rick Riordan,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Mark of Athena as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

The Mark of Athena is the explosive third part in Rick Riordan's number one series - Heroes of Olympus.

ONE FATAL PROPHECY
SEVEN BRAVE DEMIGODS
A QUEST TO FIND - AND CLOSE - THE DOORS OF DEATH.

Annabeth felt as if someone had draped a cold washcloth across her neck. She heard that whispering laughter again, as if the presence had followed her from the ship.

She looked up at the Argo II. Its massive bronze hull glittered in the sunlight.Part of her wanted to kidnap Percy right now, get on board and get out of here while they still…


Book cover of The Titan's Curse

Alisha Sehgal Author Of The Game Plan

From my list on to take you completely out of your world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve spent much of my life living in magical realms in my head. I realized at a very young age that our mind is a secret space we all get to keep for our own use. We can imagine new worlds, recreate our favorite characters, or live alternate lives all within our daydreams and imagination. However, sharing the magic we feel in our headspace is harder than we imagine. The perfect sentiments/feelings in our minds are often lost on paper, but some authors manage to share their headspace flawlessly. Every day, I write my novels/blogs in hopes that someday, people can join and experience my fantasy worlds the way I do.

Alisha's book list on to take you completely out of your world

Alisha Sehgal Why did Alisha love this book?

This is the first book I remember feeling so immersed into that I forgot I was reading. Many of Riordan’s books have that effect on me, but The Titan’s Curse especially brought me into the modern era of Greek Heroes and mythological characters. I remember this book as if I’d been there and lived through it.

For everyone who lost their love of reading while drowning in homework and chores, this is the book to revive it. I have never felt so intimately drawn into a book and never wanted to remain in the world as badly as when I first finished this book and raced to the nearest location of the next in the series.

By Rick Riordan, Attila Futaki (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Titan's Curse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

Coming soon to Disney+!

Half boy. Half God. ALL Hero.

My life could have been the same as an ordinary teenager. Except my dad is Poseidon, and I live in a camp full of half Gods and mythical creatures.

So instead, my days are spent combatting half-lion half-humans and trying to live a somewhat normal life.

But normalcy has just gone out the window. My friend Annabeth is missing, a Goddess is in chains, and only five of us can join the quest to save the day.

Oh and guess what. The Oracle has predicted that not all of us…


Book cover of Zeus: King of the Gods

James L. Fitzsimmons Author Of Living with the Dead: Mortuary Ritual in Mesoamerica

From James' 9-year-old's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Professor Archaeologist Mayanist Writer

James' 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, James' 9-year-old's favorite books.

James L. Fitzsimmons Why did James' 9-year-old love this book?

My kid loves this graphic novel series because of its accurate, imaginative portrayal of the Greek gods.  There are various levels of adult themes in Zeus and its successors, but the author manages (for the most part) to present them in ways that scale with the age of the reader. 

By George O'Connor,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Zeus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

George O'Connor is a Greek mythology buff and a classic superhero comics fan, and he's out to remind us how much our pantheon of superheroes (Superman, Batman, the X-Men, etc) owes to mankind's ORIGINAL superheroes: the Greek pantheon.

In Olympians, O'Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren't sedate, scholarly works. They're action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures, with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O'Connor's vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life, in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.

Volume 1 of Olympians, Zeus: King…


Book cover of Juliet Dove, Queen of Love

Liz Montague Author Of The Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic #1)

From my list on Magical worlds for young readers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I struggled a lot with reading as a kid, I would not call myself a natural reader at all. When I was young, fantasy and magic stories were one of the few genres that could grip me enough to make me actually focus and attempt to read but I always hated the ones that took themselves too seriously (they always felt impossibly long to get through). Now, as a children’s author, myself, it’s my hope and passion to serve fellow young-readers-who-don’t-consider-themselves-readers with fun accessible stories. I hope you enjoy!

Liz's book list on Magical worlds for young readers

Liz Montague Why did Liz love this book?

A school drama with a dash of Greek Mythology when Helen of Troy’s amulet gets into a young girl's hands.

Juliet is suddenly doused with attention and does her best to navigate it. The story is very funny and lighthearted, this was another one of my favorite school reads.

I love contemporary Greek Mythology!

By Bruce Coville, Gary A. Lippincott (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Juliet Dove, Queen of Love as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

Juliet Dove is a girl who doesn't like to be noticed. But though she may be shy, she has a wickedly sharp wit. Whenever someone does take notice of her, she tears into the person with a savagery that's earned her the nickname Killer.
Juliet ends up leaving Mr. Elives' magic shop with Helen of Troy's amulet--that is, a virtual man magnet. Juliet doesn't know what she's got, but the boys in her class do--they start to notice her. Soon every boy in town is swoony for her. Yet, much as she'd like to lose all the unwanted attention, she…


Book cover of This Poison Heart

Kelly Vincent Author Of Uglier

From Kelly's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Agender person LGBTQ+ advocate Reader Wordsmith Data nerd

Kelly's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Kelly Vincent Why did Kelly love this book?

This book surprised me, and I do love a pleasant surprise.

I originally wasn’t that interested in This Poison Heart because I knew it had something to do with plants, and I don’t care much about plants. But I picked it up because Bayron’s first book had a twist I enjoyed, and it turned out that Briseis — the teenage star of this book— was awesome and engaging, and the story was full of twists, with a feminist twist on classical mythology, a healthy spattering of diverse characters, and LGBTQ+ relationships.

This is my kind of book because Briseis learns a lot about herself and discovers an inner strength she never knew was there. I love to read and write stories like this.

By Kalynn Bayron,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked This Poison Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

_______________ 'Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairy-tale ... She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after' - Brigid Kemmerer 'Brings much-needed inclusivity and contemporary flavor to the teen fantasy genre' - Kirkus Reviews 'A delicious mix of intoxicating fantasy and coming of age, steeped in Greek mythology and peppered with references to the Jordan Peele films Get Out and Us' - Observer New Review _______________ Ever since she can remember, Briseis has had power over plants. Flowers bloom in her footsteps…


Book cover of The Oracle Betrayed

Gill Arbuthnott Author Of The Keepers' Daughter

From my list on fantasy based on legends without dwarfs or dragons.

Why am I passionate about this?

I hoovered up fairytales when I was small, and when I learned to read on my own, I moved on to myths: British, Norse, Greek, Celtic... the Mabinogion, Edda, Ragnarok, Gilgamesh, Beowulf, you name it, I devoured it. From there it was a short hop for a voracious reader to fantasy fiction based on myths and when I began to write, that became a theme in my fiction. My first couple of books were influenced by Susan Cooper’s writing, and The Keepers’ Daughter draws on the Atlantis legend. Myths last for a reason: they may not be real, but at some level, they’re true.... 

Gill's book list on fantasy based on legends without dwarfs or dragons

Gill Arbuthnott Why did Gill love this book?

Catherine Fisher uses myths brilliantly in all her books, but best of all in the trilogy of which The Oracle is the first volume. It’s a wonderful mash-up of Egyptian and Greek legends with characters you will grow to care about more and more with every page. Junior priestess Mirany begins to doubt the existence of the God she serves. The land where she lives is dying of drought, but the God doesn’t seem to listen to his people anymore, and a struggle for power that could destroy them all is about to take place. 

By Catherine Fisher,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Oracle Betrayed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

In the distant land of deserts and islands, the servants of the god rule the land, his wishes conveyed through the Oracle and interpreted by the High Priestess. Mirany is the new Bearer, afraid of her perilous duties for the god in the rituals of the Oracle, and fearful of her secret questioning ... Does the god truly exist?

The priestess is corrupt and in secret partnership with the General, ruler, since the God-on-Earth, the Archon, has no real power - chosen as a child, his face always masked, never seen by outsiders. Should any national tragedy occur, he is…


Book cover of The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures

Jen Yoon Author Of The Greek Mythology Coloring Book: Epic Scenes from Olympus and Beyond

From my list on start the Greek Mythology journey.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been fascinated by Greek Mythology since I read a book about it in childhood. There was a popular graphic novel series about Greek and Roman Mythology in Korea, and I was one of many kids obsessed with these books. That passion continued and became stronger when I moved to New York. It had various mythology books, including novels and picture books, and there were tons of references, such as paintings, sculptures, and authentic vases. I hope you enjoy the books on the list and feel the same thrill I felt!

Jen's book list on start the Greek Mythology journey

Jen Yoon Why did Jen love this book?

I was fascinated by illustrations at first. Then, the variety of characters and their stories mesmerized me. As a person always curious about other culture’s mythologies, this is an essential encyclopedia for my shelf.

I love that it has an illustration on one side that instantly catches your eyes. On the other, you explore where the tale started and find similarities with folk tales you already know.

By DK, Stephen Krensky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

Meet your favorite monsters, fairies, heroes, and tricksters from all around the world in this guide to mythical creatures.

Enter the enchanting world of mythical creatures from all around the world and explore the history behind them in this illustrated mythology book for children aged 5-9.

Say hello to Bigfoot in the forests of North America and learn about the Native American traditions that inspired its story. Voyage to Japan to meet kitsune, supernatural nine-tailed foxes that can turn into humans. Then jump onboard an ancient storm-battered ship to learn why mermaids were the last thing a sailor wanted to…


Book cover of Starcrossed
Book cover of The Lightning Thief
Book cover of The Girl Games

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