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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape into a world of magic and wonder for your youngster? Look no further! Our roundup of unicorn books for 9-year-olds is packed with enchanting reads that promise to spark imagination and joy. From tales of adventure to heartwarming friendships, these books are sure to keep your child hooked. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks in the magical realm of unicorns!

Fun Unicorn Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Humor
  • Synopsis: This delightful comic series starts with Phoebe, who skips a rock across a pond and accidentally hits a unicorn in the face. The unicorn, named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, grants Phoebe one wish, leading to an unbreakable bond of friendship and adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s packed with humor and heart, perfect for encouraging reading through engaging, relatable scenarios and magical adventures.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics, humor, and magical creatures.

• Unicorn Academy: Sophia and Rainbow by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sophia attends the Unicorn Academy, a magical school where every student gets their own unicorn. Together with her unicorn, Rainbow, Sophia uncovers a mystery at the academy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantasy with mystery and adventure, making reading fun and engaging while enhancing problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of going to school with magical creatures and solving mysteries.

• The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Elliot and Uchenna stumble upon a secret group, The Unicorn Rescue Society, and quickly find themselves helping to protect mythical creatures. Their first mission involves a Jersey Devil, leading to thrilling adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters a love for adventure and mystery while teaching values like courage and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who enjoy fast-paced stories and learning about mythical creatures.

• The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Claire and her sister Sophie find a ladder in their late great-aunt's home that leads to the magical land of Arden. There, they become involved in an epic quest involving a war between the magical creatures of the land.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an enchanting tale that promotes bravery and loyalty, perfect for immersive reading that sparks imagination.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love thrilling quests and exploring new, fantastical worlds.

• My Secret Unicorn: The Magic Spell by Linda Chapman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Lauren discovers that her pony, Twilight, is actually a magical unicorn. Together, they use their magic to help their friends and those in need around them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces themes of kindness and helping others, wrapped in a magical and compelling story that encourages frequent reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about friendship and magic.

Educational Unicorn Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Unicorn Whisperer by Linda Chapman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Tess has always believed in the magic of unicorns. When she discovers a hidden valley inhabited by these mystical creatures, she becomes their protector and learns more about their powers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, environmental awareness, and imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating story that not only fuels the imagination but also teaches important values about caring for others and our environment.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in nature conservation and mythical creatures.

• Unicorn School: The Treasure Hunt by Linda Chapman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Willow attends a school for unicorns where she embarks on a treasure hunt that teaches her about teamwork and trust.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, problem-solving, and trust-building
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of a treasure hunt with learning valuable life lessons, making it both educational and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy puzzles and teamwork in a magical setting.

• Nora and the Little Blue Rabbit by Martin Berdahl Aamundsen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Nora finds a magical blue rabbit in her garden, leading her on adventures that teach her about the importance of friendship and courage.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, courage, and the value of friendship
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that encourages children to explore their own relationships and the courage within themselves.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animal friendships and magical adventures.

• The Secret of the Unicorn Queen by Josepha Sherman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: When Sheila is transported to a land where unicorns are real, she joins a group of rebel warriors to save the unicorns and their world from evil forces.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Leadership skills, ethical decision-making, and imaginative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: This series offers an exciting blend of adventure and fantasy with strong moral lessons, ideal for engaging young minds.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love epic battles and heroic quests involving fantastical creatures.

Challenging Unicorn Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the journey of the last unicorn left in the world, who leaves her enchanted forest to search for others of her kind, encountering a diverse array of characters along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The language is rich and layered, often incorporating poetic elements and complex themes such as immortality and loss.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully written tale that not only captivates the imagination but also offers profound insights into love and life.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate poetic storytelling and deep, philosophical themes.

• The Unicorn Chronicles: Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Cara Hunter is swept into the magical land of Luster, the world of the unicorns, where she embarks on a quest to help save the unicorn queen.
  • Why this book is challenging: This series features complex narrative structures and introduces a sophisticated fantasy world with its own history and rules.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a thrilling adventure and a detailed, immersive world that challenges and expands the reader’s imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young fantasy lovers looking for a deep dive into a complex otherworldly adventure.

• The Unicorn Prince by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jane Ray
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Folklore
  • Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of a magical forest, this story tells of a prince who befriends a unicorn, and together they embark on a journey to save the prince’s kingdom.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book blends traditional folklore with a narrative style that includes rich, descriptive language and complex moral lessons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a captivating blend of magic and folklore that also teaches important lessons about loyalty and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy tales of royalty and mythical creatures, with a moral lesson woven through.

• Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Sam arrives on Unicorn Island to find that it holds more secrets than she imagined, including mysterious creatures hidden beneath the sand.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story involves layered plot twists and a deeper look into emotional and ethical dilemmas.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a mix of mystery and fantasy that keeps readers engaged while challenging them to think critically about the characters’ decisions.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love a good mystery combined with the enchanting appeal of unicorns.

• Unicorns of Balinor: The Road to Balinor by Mary Stanton
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After a terrible accident, Princess Arianna finds herself in a strange world with no memory of her past. With her magical unicorn, she must rediscover her identity and the secrets of her homeland, Balinor.
  • Why this book is challenging: The series introduces complex themes of identity and destiny, woven into a narrative with a richly developed fantasy setting.
  • Why we recommend this book: Offers an intriguing exploration of self-discovery and adventure in a well-crafted fantasy world, ideal for advanced young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about self-discovery and fantastical quests.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! Diving into the magical world of unicorn books is a fantastic way for 9-year-olds to expand their imagination and improve their reading skills. To make the most out of their reading adventures, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits while exploring these enchanting stories.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading by creating a cozy and inviting environment.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with cushions, a favorite blanket, or even some unicorn-themed decorations!

• Chapter Summaries
  • What it is: Write a short summary of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Keep the summaries brief and fun; they can even draw a picture to depict the chapter!

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Take turns reading the book aloud with a parent or a sibling.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading out loud.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging and fun.

• Book Club Discussions
  • What it is: Form a small book club with friends who are also reading unicorn books.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and sharing different perspectives.
  • Tips: Prepare a few questions in advance to spark discussion and keep the conversation flowing.

• Reading Tracker
  • What it is: Maintain a log to track the number of pages or books read.
  • How it helps: Motivates continual reading and setting goals.
  • Tips: Set achievable goals and celebrate when they are reached, perhaps with a small reward.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Choose a favorite character and write about why they are relatable.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of character development and personal empathy.
  • Tips: Encourage them to think about how they would react in similar situations as the character.

By incorporating these exercises into their reading routine, your child can enhance their engagement with unicorn books and develop a lifelong love for reading. Have fun exploring the magical realms that books provide, and watch as your young reader grows and learns through their fantastical journeys!