Cornelia Funke's Top Book Recommendations

Want to know what books Cornelia Funke recommends? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Cornelia Funke's favorite book recommendations of all time. At Shortform, we know books. Our book guides are the best in the world. Learn why.

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The Petrified Flesh (Mirrorworld #1)

Cornelia Funke

4.4

Jacob has uncovered the doorway to another world, hidden behind a mirror. It is a place of dark magic and enchanted objects, scheming dwarves and fearsome ogres, fairies born from water and men born from stone.

Here, he hunts for treasure and seeks adventure in the company of Fox - a beautiful, shapeshifting girl, who guides and guards him.

But now Jacob's younger brother has followed him into the m

Recommended by Cornelia Funke and Zoe.

Cornelia Funke

Reckless is my journey around the world in fairy tales. [source]

Zoe

These books are mostly about boys, for a change. The Mirrorworld is a place where fairytale creatures are real and the impossible is possible. [source]

Inkheart Trilogy Collection

Cornelia Funke

4.5

Titles In This Set: Inkdeath, Inkheart, Inkspell

Inkheart

Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. They live quietly until the night a stranger knocks at their door He has come with a warning that forces Mo to reveal an extraordinary secret - a storytelling secret that will change their lives forever

Recommended by Cornelia Funke.

Cornelia Funke

Inkworld is about my obsession with books. [source]

The Thief Lord

Cornelia Funke

4.3

Two orphaned children are on the run, hiding among the crumbling canals and misty alleyways of Venice. They are soon befriended by a gang of street children and their mysterious leader, the Thief Lord. The greatest threat to their freedom is a beautiful magical treasure with the power to spin time itself.

Recommended by Cornelia Funke.

Cornelia Funke

I owe this book to the children I worked with as a social worker. [source]

Dragon Rider

Cornelia Funke

4.3

With lonely Ben aboard, brave dragon Firedrake seeks mythical place where silver dragons can live in peace. Over moonlit lands and sparkling seas, they meet fantastic creatures, summon up surprising courage - and cross a ruthless villain with an ancient grudge determined to end their quest. Only a secret destiny can save the dragons and bring them the true meaning of home.

Recommended by Cornelia Funke.

Cornelia Funke

This book is my love song to all the fabulous creatures of this planet. [source]

Igraine the Brave

Cornelia Funke

4.2

Igraine dreams of being a famous knight like her great-grandfather, but castle life is boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door plans to capture the castle for their singing spell books. At the moment of the siege, her parents mistakenly turn themselves into pigs. Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, Igraine must be brave, and save the day -- and the books.

Recommended by Cornelia Funke.

Cornelia Funke

Oh Igraine! It was so much fun to write this book, and I think I did some of my best illustrations for this story. I owe it all to T. H. White and my love for his book the Once and Future King. Originally, I wanted to just write a short story about magical books and a girl who wishes to be a knight (the kind of girl I am!) but then it grew and grew. [source]