If your young reader loves fast-paced adventures, unforgettable characters, and spellbinding worlds where anything is possible, then this collection of children's fantasy books is the perfect place to begin. Featuring powerful magic, richly imagined settings, and sweeping, epic storytelling, these books are ideal for fans of Rooftoppers, A Pinch of Magic, and Harry Potter.

Whether it’s a thrilling new series to dive into, a beautifully crafted standalone tale, or an exciting debut from a fresh new voice, each book in this collection offers something special. Aimed at middle-grade readers aged 8-12, these stories capture the boundless imagination of childhood, a time when make-believe feels real, and suspending disbelief comes naturally.

Children love to escape into magical worlds where they’re not just reading about the heroes - they are the heroes! With compelling characters, richly illustrated pages, and immersive storytelling, these books invite young readers to lose themselves in places where anything can happen… and often does.

A Spellbinding Magical Adventure with The Hatmakers

Cordelia Hatmaker’s family has been crafting enchanted hats for generations, weaving rare and powerful ingredients into their creations using ancient, secret skills. In the first book in The Hatmakers series, set in an alternative Georgian London where the country teeters on the brink of war with France, The Hatmakers use their extraordinary millinery magic to create hats designed to spread peace. But not everyone wants harmony. Rivalries between the Maker families run deep, and someone appears to be using Maker magic to stir conflict. Our feisty heroine, Cordelia, along with her loyal friends, Bootmaker Goose and Sam, set out to uncover the truth. 

In the third book, the adventures continue as Cordelia (having reunited the Maker families and saved Maker magic in Book 2) is wrongly accused of treason. She embarks on an exhilarating journey to rescue a missing girl from the clutches of the legendary pirates known as The Troublemakers. And then we have the most recent addition to the series, The Mythmakers, that takes us back in time to the origins of Maker magic, with an enchanting story that reimagines the young lives of Merlin, Arthur, and Guinevere in a magical ancient Britain - a world where giants, mermaids, unicorns, and witches dwell. This is a breathtaking adventure series, with four exciting and brilliantly plotted stories, all illustrated throughout with magic and flair by Paola Escobar.

Fantasy Worlds that are full of Secrets

Lisette Auton’s sci-fi fantasy The Starlight Rebel catapults us into the year 3897, where Earth is ruled by the loud and dazzling Neon Government. The planet is sealed beneath a vast shield that blocks out the sky, and nobody alive remembers the stars, or what the cosmos once looked like. Enter Astrifer Nova, a neurodivergent and often overlooked rebel, who may be the one destined to save the world.

The Waters and the Wild is another beautifully written verse novel from the incredibly talented Éilish Fisher, author of Fia and the Last Snow Deer. After the death of her father, Rowan and her mother move to the cold, mystical landscape of Ireland, but something about the town feels off. Strange events unfold, and the townspeople live in fear of the Wall that surrounds them. The story is brought to life with stunning, atmospheric artwork by David Rooney.

And not to be missed is Arkspire, a thrilling, richly imagined fantasy series by Jamie Littler, set in a city utterly obsessed with magic. The powerful Arcanists (five magical rulers) have long protected and controlled Arkspire, until Juniper Bell, a bold young thief, discovers that everything isn’t as it seems. When a stolen relic explodes and conjures a mysterious creature named Cinder who bonds with her, Juniper is dragged into a web of secrets, danger and political intrigue. With her sister Elodie and her growing band of misfits, and with danger at every turn, she must challenge the Arcanists’ authority and fight to uncover the hidden truths of her city. The books are illustrated, funny and full of heart, and are perfect reading for children who like heroes who don’t always play by the rules. 

Magical Mystery with a Slice of History

Penny Boxall's witty and wonderful debut novel, Letty and the Mystery of the Golden Thread, brings a fresh new voice to middle-grade historical adventure fiction. It is the 18th century, and 12-year-old Lettice Breech embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe with her Pa, visiting the great historical sites of the continent. But when her father is suddenly accused of forgery, Letty finds herself in a thrilling race across Europe to clear his name.

And set in contemporary London with a charmingly Victorian twist, The Moonlighters is a magical, fast-paced adventure filled with memorable characters. When Theo, new at school and desperate to fit in, takes on a foolish dare during a class trip to the Natural History Museum, it sets off a chain of unexpected events. Fleeing the fallout, he ends up at his Nan’s empty house - and meets the flamboyant Alistair Goodfellow, who introduces him to the mysterious Casablanca Lily, a magical hotel that transforms by night. There, Theo joins a ragtag crew collecting enchanted artefacts in exchange for magical powers. With rich world-building, well-placed magic, and real character growth, this is an enchanting story that young readers will love.

Find all the books below, read our full reviews, and you can download a sample chapter of each book to help you choose your child's next read.

Open the door to adventure — and let the magic begin.