10+ Best Fantasy Books for 12-13-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape into magical realms for your tween? Look no further! Our curated list of fantasy books for 12-13-year-olds is packed with enchanting tales that are sure to captivate their imagination and keep them hooked. From epic adventures to mystical creatures, we've got everything to keep your young reader mesmerized. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to be a hit!

Fun Fantasy Books for 12-13-Year-Olds

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the first book in the renowned Harry Potter series, where young Harry learns that he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here, he makes friends and enemies and uncovers a dark mystery tied to his past.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces readers to a magical world full of possibilities, encouraging imagination and a love for reading through its engaging narrative and relatable characters.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magic, mystery, and adventure.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods by finding the stolen lightning bolt of Zeus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling mix of modern adventure and ancient mythology, making it a captivating read that also educates about Greek legends.
  • Perfect for: Fans of adventure stories and mythology.

• The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: In this book, best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves taken to a school where young heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil. They must choose their paths wisely and discover their true destinies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of friendship and the nature of good and evil, wrapped in a magical, fairy-tale setting that keeps the reader guessing.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy tales with a twist and stories about friendship and self-discovery.

• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year-old genius and criminal mastermind, captures a fairy and holds her ransom to exploit the magical Fairy People and restore his family's fortune.
  • Why we recommend this book: Combines magic, technology, and crime into an exhilarating read that challenges the mind and entertains with its clever plot and witty dialogue.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a mix of fantasy and high-tech intrigue.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magical Realism
  • Synopsis: This story revolves around a young girl named Luna, who is accidentally enmagicked as a baby. She is raised by a witch and must learn to control her powers while uncovering the truths of her past.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's beautifully written with complex characters and a unique plot that emphasizes the power of love and the importance of questioning the world around us.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate beautifully crafted narratives and strong, complex characters.

Educational Fantasy Books for 12-13-Year-Olds

• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, summons the powerful djinni Bartimaeus and plunges into a perilous adventure involving magical artifacts and political intrigue.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of political and social structures, vocabulary expansion
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor, magic, and a fast-paced plot to keep readers engaged while subtly educating them on themes of power and morality.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy dynamic characters and a blend of humor and fantasy.

• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Meggie learns that her father Mo, a bookbinder, can "read" fictional characters into life. One of these characters abducts them to fulfill a dark agenda, leading Meggie into a struggle within the realms of fiction and reality.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, understanding of narrative structures, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating story that celebrates the power of books and reading, while offering a thrilling adventure.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love stories about books and magical adventures.

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: After the murder of his family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, historical knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique blend of horror and fantasy that explores complex themes like life and death in an accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in ghost stories and mysteries with a heartwarming twist.

• Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Princess Cimorene tires of her conventional royal duties and runs away to live with a dragon, encountering magic, witches, and other dragons as she carves out her own place in the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, independence, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It flips traditional fairy tale clichés on their heads, offering a humorous and empowering story.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy strong female protagonists and unconventional fairy tales.

• The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Tiffany Aching, a young witch-in-training, must use her wits and the help of a rowdy group of tiny blue pictsies to rescue her brother and stop an invasion from Fairyland.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, humor, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with wit and wisdom, providing laughter as well as lessons about personal responsibility and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate a mix of humor and adventure in their fantasy reading.

Challenging Fantasy Books for 12-13-Year-Olds

• Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Sabriel, raised outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, finds herself drawn back to her father's world where spirits roam and the dead walk. She must use her father's necromancy to battle the evil that threatens the kingdom.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel introduces complex themes of life and death, and a sophisticated magic system that requires attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a strong female lead and a rich, intricately built world, providing a deep narrative that challenges and captivates.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a strong, capable heroine.

• A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This tale follows the adventures of Ged, a young boy with innate magical power, as he attends a school of wizardry, and battles against forces that he inadvertently unleashes.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its narrative depth and the philosophical underpinnings challenge readers to think critically about themes of power and responsibility.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a foundational text in fantasy literature, offering a profound exploration of growth and identity that resonates with young readers.
  • Perfect for: Those who enjoy classic fantasy tales with deep philosophical questions.

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Steampunk
  • Synopsis: Lyra Belacqua, a young girl, embarks on a journey to the Arctic in search of her missing friend and uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex themes including theology and philosophy, intertwined with advanced vocabulary and political intrigue.
  • Why we recommend this book: The book encourages critical thinking and questioning of authority, wrapped in a thrilling adventure.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories that combine fantasy with real-world issues and deep moral questions.

• Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: In a world where dragons can fold themselves into human shape, Seraphina, a gifted musician, becomes embroiled in a royal murder mystery that threatens the fragile peace between humans and dragons.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into complex issues of identity and social prejudice, with a sophisticated writing style.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique take on dragons and integrates a compelling mystery with rich, musical descriptions.
  • Perfect for: Those who appreciate a blend of fantasy, mystery, and intricate world-building.

• The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper, embarks on a quest to find a stolen pig, leading to a much larger adventure involving an evil enchantress and the fight for his homeland, Prydain.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates elements of Welsh mythology, offering a deeper cultural experience and a complex plot.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic hero's journey filled with adventure and lessons about bravery and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in mythology and epic fantasy tales.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the enchanting world of fantasy books, you're in for quite the adventure. To make the most out of your reading experience, especially if you're around 12-13 years old, developing good reading habits is key. Here are some fun and effective exercises to help you do just that:

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Keeps you consistent and motivated to continue reading.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and increase them as you get more comfortable.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner or area in your home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes reading time something to look forward to.
  • Tips: Make it cozy with pillows, good lighting, and maybe even a 'Do Not Disturb' sign.

• Discuss with Friends
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends who are reading it too.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Try starting a small book club or schedule regular book discussions.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Draw maps or diagrams to track the settings and journeys in the story.
  • How it helps: Helps visualize and remember the fantastical worlds and adventures.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map more informative and fun.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next after every chapter.
  • How it helps: Engages your analytical thinking and keeps you hooked.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many come true as you read.

• Character Diary
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Improves empathy and understanding of characters' motivations and feelings.
  • Tips: Choose a different character each time to explore various viewpoints.

These exercises aren't just about improving your reading skills; they're about making reading fun and immersive. By integrating these activities into your reading routine, you'll not only enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the books but also develop habits that will benefit your overall literacy. So, grab your book, find your nook, and let the magic begin! Happy reading!