10+ Best Fantasy Books for 9-12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape into magical realms for your young reader? Look no further! Our curated selection of fantasy books for 9-12-year-olds promises to whisk them away on unforgettable adventures. Dive into this blog as we explore various enchanting worlds that are just waiting to be discovered by eager young minds. Keep reading to find the perfect fantastical read that will ignite their imagination!

Fun Fantasy Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young Harry Potter, who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a magical gateway to the world of reading, sparking imagination and encouraging a love for stories and adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of magic and adventure, and anyone who loves a good underdog story.

• 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 accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt. He must embark on a quest across the United States to find it and restore order to Olympus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines exciting adventures with Greek mythology, making it both fun and educational.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy action-packed stories and learning about mythology.

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Christian Allegory
  • Synopsis: Four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—are evacuated to the countryside during WWII and discover the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe. There they join the mystical lion Aslan in the fight against the evil White Witch.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a captivating escape into a fantastical world, promoting themes of courage, loyalty, and truth.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love epic tales and magical realms.

• 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 for ransom to exploit the magical Fairy People and restore his family's fortune.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling mix of magic and modern technology with a clever young protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Tech-savvy tweens and those who like their fantasy with a side of high-tech espionage.

• The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi (Illustrator)
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After moving into the decrepit Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twins Jared and Simon and their sister Mallory find themselves pulled into an unseen world of fantastical creatures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with adventure and mystery, engaging young readers with its detailed illustrations and captivating plot.
  • Perfect for: Children who love exploring and solving mysteries.

• Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Siblings Kendra and Seth Sorenson visit their grandparents' estate, only to discover it's a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's full of magical creatures and thrilling adventures, perfect for sparking a love of reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about magical worlds hidden within our own.

Educational Fantasy Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest, hoping she won't terrorize their town. But the witch, Xan, is kind and rescues the children, delivering them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, empathy, understanding of consequences, and moral reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully intertwines themes of magic, love, and the power of the unknown, wrapped in a captivating narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magical tales and exploring deep, meaningful themes.

• The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this tale, two best friends, Sophie and Agatha, are taken to an enchanted school where young heroes and villains are trained to preserve the balance between Good and Evil. Sophie expects to be picked for the School of Good, and Agatha seems a natural fit for the School of Evil. However, their fortunes are reversed, leading to a deep exploration of their true natures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of moral complexities, friendship dynamics, and character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges traditional notions of good and evil, encouraging readers to think critically about stereotypes and morals.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a twist on classic fairy tales and exploring the gray areas in life.

• The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Twins Alex and Conner Bailey fall into a magical book of stories their grandmother gave them and find themselves in a land where fairy tales are real. To return home, they embark on a perilous quest to collect magical items from various fairy tale figures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Literary knowledge, problem-solving skills, and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fresh take on classic fairy tales, weaving them into a new and exciting adventure.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy classic stories with a modern twist and imaginative plots.

• The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Dystopian
  • Synopsis: In the land of Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the creative Unwanteds are sent to their deaths. Alex, an Unwanted, discovers that the fate that awaits him is not death but an invitation to a magical place called Artime.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, artistic expression, and challenging societal norms.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends elements of magic with the harsh realities of a dystopian world, making it a compelling read.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids and those who feel different or misunderstood.

• The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
  • Synopsis: When Kara Westfall was five years old, her mother was convicted of the worst of all crimes: witchcraft. Years later, Kara and her little brother Taff are still shunned by the people of their village, who believe that nothing good can come from a family that consorts with the Black Arts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of social ostracism, and resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping fantasy with a dark edge, perfect for readers who like their tales with a bit of spookiness.
  • Perfect for: Older children who enjoy complex stories with a darker atmosphere.

Challenging Fantasy Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, summons the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus to assist him in a dangerous revenge plot against a powerful magician. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two very different challenges, and Nathaniel finds himself in over his head.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel features complex characters and a sophisticated plot, interwoven with political intrigue and historical references that require a higher level of reading comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor, magic, and adventure in a unique setting, offering a rich and layered reading experience that challenges young minds.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories with clever protagonists and a mix of humor and fantasy.

• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Meggie learns that her father Mo, a bookbinder, has the unusual ability to bring characters from books into the real world when he reads aloud. When an evil ruler named Capricorn, freed from the confines of the fictional world, seeks to exploit Mo's power, Meggie must learn to harness her own newfound abilities.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is dense with descriptions and a complex cast of characters, both human and literary, which demands attentive reading and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that celebrates the power of books and reading, encouraging readers to imagine the possibilities beyond the written word.
  • Perfect for: Young book lovers and anyone intrigued by the idea of literary characters coming to life.

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Steampunk
  • Synopsis: Lyra Belacqua, a young girl living in a parallel universe in which science, theology, and magic are entwined, embarks on a perilous journey to the Arctic North to save her kidnapped friend and other abducted children from terrible experiments.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces complex themes such as freedom and predestination, and it features a unique and elaborate world that includes a variety of creatures and an invented vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a profound narrative that questions authority and addresses profound ethical issues, wrapped in a captivating adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are not only looking for adventure but also for a story that makes them think deeply about the world around them.

• A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the early years of a wizard named Ged, who attends a school of wizardry where he learns that his magical powers may be more dangerous than he realized. As he grows, he must confront a shadow creature that he unleashed during a reckless youth spell.
  • Why this book is challenging: Le Guin's use of language is both beautiful and complex, and the story delves into deep philosophical questions about identity and power.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thought-provoking exploration of growth and responsibility, set in an intricately detailed fantasy world that encourages readers to explore their own potential.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate deep storytelling and the complexities of character development in a fantasy setting.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children, led by the intelligent Reynie Muldoon, are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict for a dangerous mission to infiltrate a mysterious institution called L.I.V.E. to thwart a diabolical plot.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story is filled with puzzles and riddles that challenge not only the characters but the readers' intellect and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an engaging mix of mystery and adventure that promotes critical thinking and teamwork.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love solving puzzles and mysteries while enjoying a good adventure.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the magical world of fantasy books, especially designed for 9-12-year-olds, you're in for an adventure. But how can you make the most of your reading experience? Here are a few exercises that can help you develop solid reading habits while enjoying every moment of your fantasy journey. Let's get started!

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable spot dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes reading time something to look forward to.
  • Tips: Add some cozy pillows, good lighting, and maybe a small shelf for your favorite books.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much time you want to spend reading each day or how many pages you want to read.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and helps track your reading progress.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them as you get more comfortable.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family who are interested.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and allows you to see different perspectives.
  • Tips: Try to form a small book club or have a weekly 'book talk' with a friend.

• Map Out the Story
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the story’s setting and plot.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding and remembering the sequence of events and the relationship between characters.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map more engaging and easier to understand.

• Predict What Will Happen Next
  • What it is: Before you continue reading, try to guess what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances engagement with the text and stimulates critical thinking.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many of them were right as you read.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of different characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the characters and enhances empathy.
  • Tips: Choose characters that you like or dislike to see the story from new angles.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enhance your enjoyment of fantasy books but also boost your reading skills significantly. Remember, the key is consistency and having fun with what you read. So, grab your next fantasy book, and let's put these exercises into action. Happy reading!