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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect spark to ignite a love of reading in your young one? Look no further! Our carefully curated selection of magic books for 9-year-olds is here to whisk your child away on enchanting adventures they'll never forget. From tales of wizards and witches to mysterious magical realms, each book promises to be a gateway to wonder and excitement. Keep reading to discover our top picks of magic books for 9-year-olds that are sure to captivate and inspire young readers!

Fun Magic Books for 9-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 beloved Harry Potter series, where young Harry discovers he's a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Adventures and mystery follow as he makes new friends and uncovers his destiny.
  • Why we recommend this book: It ignites imagination with its magical world, teaching values like bravery, friendship, and the importance of choices.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fantasy and adventure, and anyone new to the magical world of Hogwarts.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and around the world with the help of a magical tree house. Each book combines magic, history, science, and adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes history accessible and exciting, encouraging a love of reading and learning about different times and cultures.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who enjoy series and learning about new places and times through adventurous tales.

• The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this book, best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves in a school where students are trained to become fairy tale heroes or villains. Their friendship is tested as they discover their true destinies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of friendship, identity, and the nature of good and evil, all wrapped up in a thrilling, magical tale.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love fairy tales and exploring the gray areas between good and evil.

• Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Siblings Kendra and Seth discover their grandparents' property is a sanctuary for mythical and magical creatures. They must navigate through various adventures to keep the sanctuary safe from threats.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with magical creatures and thrilling adventures, promoting courage and responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about magical creatures and secret worlds.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is swept into a world of Greek mythology. He embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun, action-packed adventure with Greek mythology, making it educational in a very entertaining way.
  • Perfect for: Fans of adventure and mythology, and readers who enjoy fast-paced, humorous stories.

• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Romance
  • Synopsis: Cursed with obedience, Ella must navigate her world without revealing her curse, all while falling in love and seeking a way to break the spell.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique twist on the Cinderella story, promoting themes of self-reliance and determination.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy strong female protagonists and a mix of romance and fantasy.

Educational Magic Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three siblings, Jo, Bessie, and Fanny, discover an enchanted wood near their new home and find the Faraway Tree with magical beings. Each visit brings them to different magical lands at the top of the tree.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, creativity, and introduces basic concepts of cause and effect.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captivates the imagination with whimsical adventures and magical creatures, ideal for sparking a love of reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical adventures and exploring new, fantastical worlds.

• The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Mildred Hubble attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, where despite her best efforts, she often finds herself in chaotic situations, usually due to her clumsiness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading fluency, understanding of narrative structure, and character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with lessons on perseverance and the importance of accepting one's mistakes.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about school life and magic, with a good dose of humor.

• The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Twins John and Philippa Gaunt discover they are descendants of a long line of djinn and embark on a thrilling adventure to find a lost artifact in Egypt.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, geographical awareness, and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an exciting mix of magic and real-world history, encouraging curiosity about different cultures and past civilizations.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who are fascinated by history and mythology, wrapped in a magical adventure.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: A girl named Luna, who is accidentally infused with moon magic, must figure out how to handle the magical powers she was given as a baby and uncover the truth about her family.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and ethical reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's beautifully written with complex characters and a compelling plot that addresses deep themes like love, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate beautifully crafted narratives and deep, meaningful stories with magical elements.

• The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology, Folklore
  • Synopsis: Marinka dreams of a normal life, but her house has chicken legs and moves at its own will, isolating her from the world. She seeks to break free from her destiny as a Yaga, a guardian who guides spirits between this world and the next.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, empathy, and imaginative thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces readers to Slavic folklore in a creative and engaging way, exploring themes of identity and belonging.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in folklore and stories that blend the real world with magical elements.

Challenging Magic Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Magic
  • Synopsis: Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, summons the powerful djinni Bartimaeus to aid him in a risky revenge plot against a powerful magician, but soon finds himself in over his head.
  • Why this book is challenging: This novel features complex characters and a sophisticated plot with political and magical intrigue, requiring a higher level of reading comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling and witty narrative with a mix of humor and fantasy, encouraging critical thinking about authority and ethical dilemmas.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy complex fantasy worlds and clever, sardonic humor.

• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Meggie learns that her father Mo, a bookbinder, can "read" fictional characters into life. One of these characters abducts them to fulfill a dangerous scheme which unfolds throughout the Inkworld trilogy.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story involves multiple layers of narrative and meta-narrative, including a wide range of characters and subplots that intertwine.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the love of books and reading, while offering a gripping adventure that tests its characters' bravery and loyalty.
  • Perfect for: Book lovers and young readers who enjoy stories about magical adventures involving other worlds.

• The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Bastian finds a mysterious book that immerses him into the magical world of Fantastica, a land being destroyed by a mysterious force called The Nothing.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores complex themes such as escapism, the nature of reality and fiction, and the psychological growth of the protagonist.
  • Why we recommend this book: This is a deeply imaginative novel that allows readers to explore their own perceptions of reality and fantasy.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are introspective and enjoy stories that blend reality with fantasy.

• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure
  • 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 this book is challenging: The book features high-tech and magical elements combined with complex plots and moral ambiguities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fast-paced, clever book that combines technology with fantasy, offering a fresh twist on the magic genre.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy anti-heroes and a blend of sci-fi and fantasy.

• 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 a country house during WWII and discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the land of Narnia.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes allegorical content and a deeper narrative that explores themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic novel provides a captivating adventure full of rich symbolism and profound themes.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories with deep moral and spiritual questions, set within a magical realm.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Diving into the magical world of books can be an enchanting experience for any 9-year-old. To make this journey even more captivating, here are a few exercises that can help develop strong reading habits while exploring the realms of magic books. These activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and educational.

• Create a Magic Word Glossary
  • What it is: Make a personalized glossary of new or interesting words found in magic books.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of the magical genre.
  • Tips: Use a notebook or a digital app to add new words along with their meanings and a sentence using the word.

• Magic Book Club
  • What it is: Start a book club focused on magic books with friends or family.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion and deeper understanding of the readings.
  • Tips: Choose a regular time to meet and discuss a predetermined section of the book.

• Draw Your Favorite Scene
  • What it is: Sketch or draw your favorite scene from a magic book you are reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Share your drawings with others to explain why you chose that particular scene.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Before finishing the book, try to predict how the story will end or what will happen next.
  • How it helps: Enhances analytical thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and compare them with the actual outcomes after finishing the book.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of different characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of characters and their motivations.
  • Tips: Choose characters that differ from each other to explore various viewpoints and thoughts.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a short summary of each chapter after reading it.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and comprehension of the text.
  • Tips: Keep summaries brief and highlight key events or turning points.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about interacting with the magical worlds that books create. By engaging in these activities, young readers can enhance their enjoyment and understanding of what they read. So, grab your favorite magic book, and let's make reading even more magical!