Epic Fantasy Books for Middle Schoolers That Will Excite Tweens
Make sure you add some of these epic fantasy books for middle schoolers to your tween’s reading list this year. They’re full of magic, unique creatures, and magical lands. It’s an amazing genre and just some of the best books for middle school.
My oldest daughter reads as many fantasy stories as she possibly can. She loves how they transport her to another time and place, and that they’re full of challenging and dangerous quests.
If your middle schooler hasn’t read many fantasy books, see if one of these amazing titles grabs their attention.
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Middle School Fantasy Books
If you’ve been trying to get your tween to read more, the best way is to introduce them to books that they’ll find challenging and interesting. Luckily, there are many great middle grade books out there, written with the interests and issues of middle schoolers in mind.
These six fantasy titles will seize your tween’s imagination.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
For over 200 years, the residents of Ember have lived together in a domed city created to keep the human race alive. They have survived, thanks to the multitude of supplies filling the vast storerooms, however, there are now empty shelves. Void of natural light, the city receives its artificial daylight from lights powered by an ancient generator which is also beginning to fail.
Over the generations, the way out has been lost and forgotten, and their only hope for survival seems to rest with the only residents who are worried about the future – twelve-year-olds Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet.
The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott
Back in the 16th century, famous astronomer, Copernicus, built a time-traveling astrolabe. To keep it out of the hands of evil men, he pulled out 12 essential parts and spread them around the world.
Now, Wade, Lily, Darrell, and Becca are sent on a quest to reclaim all of the magical components in order to save themselves. Along the way they’ll be faced with puzzles and clues they’ll need to solve as they try to stay out of danger as they get pulled further and further into ancient secrets.
The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning) by John Stephens
Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in and out of orphanages since they were babies. Now they’re in Cambridge Falls, and in their current home, they discover a secret door and after passing through, they find a magic book that allows them to travel through time when the place photos on to the blank pages.
Hopefully, they’re up for the thrilling adventures that await them.
Kingdom Keepers: The Return Book One Disney Lands by Ridley Pearson
If your child enjoyed the Kingdom Keepers series, they’ll love this next installment.
The 5 Kingdom Keepers thought their jobs were done since they defeated the Overtakers. However, Finn isn’t convinced they’re finished and that the parks are truly safe. So he starts to investigate Wayne’s last message, which separates him from his friends, the other Keepers.
This story takes readers back to the beginning, back to when Disneyland began.
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1) by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy constantly finds himself in trouble while at the various schools he’s attended thanks to the fact that he’s regularly forced to battle mythical creatures only he can see. To keep him safe while he learns the truth of who he really is, Percy’s mom sends him to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods. It seems that Percy is the child of Poseidon. Faced with a mystery, Percy and his friends must travel on a quest across the United States to keep the gods from starting a war.
Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
In this story, we are introduced to Rusty, an everyday house cat who lives on the edge of a forest. Within the forest are four groups of wild cats who share the land according to ancestry law. But things have changed and the four clans are no longer living in harmony with one another. The balance of power has shifted. The ThunderClan cats are weaker while the threatening ShadowClan is growing stronger.
Then Rusty meets Graypaw, a warrior cat, who convinces him to leave his home and join the ThunderClan in their time of need. Rusty becomes Firepaw, a warrior cat, who is now in the middle of a turf war and who must summon the courage to not back down in order to help his new friends take back their part of the forest. While some will be lost, Firepaw will learn a lot about friendship and bravery.
Fantasy and science fiction stories are thrilling to read because you never know what’s going to happen. Hopefully, you have found some new titles to introduce your kids to that they’ll be excited to read.
Additional Books for Middle School
Looking for even more books your middle schooler will enjoy? Check out these.
- exciting adventure titles
- classic novels tweens will want to read
- Newbery award winning books for middle school
- books that inspired Disney movies
- adventure books that are part of a series
- books we read in middle school
Using Technology to Support Reading
Do you love the idea of expanding your child’s reading list, but getting her to sit down with a book ends up being a hassle? Consider switching over to audiobooks. You can even get 2 free books to get started. They’re a lifesaver for some families, including those who love “reading” together. Kids can listen on their devices or you can play books in the car as you travel together.
If you haven’t ventured into electronic books with your tween yet (whether audiobooks or a Kindle), I encourage you to consider it, especially if you want to raise enthusiastic readers. And bonus, some classic stories can be download for free to Kindle devices from online stores and your public library.
Ultimately, when you embrace the format that fits your child best, it will help great stories, like the ones on this list, grab hold of them.
Which one of these fantasy books for middle school will your tween want to read first?
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Thanks for these! Looks like a great list. Do you know if there is anything really scary in the books? My daughter is 11 and is starting to enjoy fantasy books…I would like to give her the list to choose from, but I’m a little leery of middle school level books because I never know if the content is going to be age appropriate.
Hi Leanne. I think that the only book that your daughter might find scary is The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone because there is just more action, fighting, etc. in that book. Otherwise she should be okay. They all contain some conflict and some have death, but that is pretty common in this genre. I know what you mean. My girls have been huge readers since they were little and I’ve always struggled keeping them in books.