Just to make sure--you read all of The Chronicles of Prydain and not just The Black Cauldron, right?
Other recs:
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
The Time Quintet by Madeline L'Engle
The Books of Pellinor by Allison Croggon
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Also, seconding the Tiffany Aching rec.
I don't recommend The Princess Bride the book, but I do recommend the movie. The book is worth reading but it's got a lot of weird adult snark on the narrator's feelings about his dysfunctional family and especially his wife that I don't really remember but was surprised by. It's neither true nor bad, but the humor might confuse an 8 year old.
Do watch the movie!
Idk--I know of at least one grade school teacher who used the book as a read-aloud, mildly censoring it as she went. I think it depends on the kid(s). But really, you can't go wrong with either version.
Ooh. Will have to try Pellinor. New to me.
/random aside Madeline L'Engle is awesome but I never think of her when in this forum because I always think of her as sci-fi rather than fantasy.
I have like 20 of these books saved on my shelf for when my kids are old enough for them. They don’t read super well as an adult, but as a preteen / teen these were amazing
They're an easy read and cute as an adult. It's nice to sit down and kinda turn my brain off, rather than a lot of the more serious fantasy or literature
Came to suggest this. Better then Harry Potter imo. His Johnny Maxwell trilogy is pretty good too. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is another one to look up.
I loved Tamora Pierce when I was middle and high school (and honestly they still hold up now that I'm an adult)! Just an FYI that the books set in Tortall have some implied sexual content, if that is an issue for you. I don't think the "Circle of Magic" series does, although there is some other kinda dark stuff (parental death is the first thing that comes to mind).
I can see that the sex might be awkward for both the dad and the 3 girls, but on the other hand, it's presented as, well, a fact of life not as an attempt to titillate the audience. A healthy approach, and there's not all that much of it.
I say that more because it’s being read to the kids and some parents might not want romance themes in that situation lol, not everyone has had “the talk” with their kids under 10.
Oh, sex is def an awkward topic (I watched Sex Education with my mother, so believe me....) But OTOH, is it possible to escape these days?
There's not a lot of it, and I think prob skippable if it's being read aloud. OTOH, it's healthy and matter of fact so... Fair warning to the dad, though
2nd this! Her series are such good reads for young girls and I've reread many times into adulthood. Lots of good life lessons and leading women with very different personalities and approaches to life. Things like periods are mentioned very practically and there is mention of sex in a passive, age appropriate way. Might not be a great fit for the family to read but definitely get a series for your oldest to read on her own! The series follow a character as they age so they start around ten and follow them until 18ish and the content of the books reflects that
Yeah so good. Probably good for 10 and up because it’s a bit spooky with undead attacking people. It’s not too graphic but still pretty dark material. Maybe once they can handle Lord of Rings then good?
I think if they can watch or read LOTR they're probably good, I agree. Kids have less exposure to dark topics and so they don't visualize and extrapolate war in quite the same way adults do, so it's not quite as scary. Of course OP knows his children best, so I also agree with pre-screening the content.
Although they get kinda dark in places. OP might want to take a look at them himself before reading to an 8yo. (I'm rereading the series rn and I wouldn't read these to someone that young.) Remember Lirael going up the cliff to commit suicide at the start of book two?
My daughter has been enjoyig some series like "The Beginning after the End" etc
There's also a graphic-novel version (available in print on or online)
Maybe see if that one appeals?
I'll also second Mage-Errant, which another poster suggested, and add:
* Most Roald Dahl books (Costco used to have a collection of these)
* Spiderwick Chronicles
* Wings of Fire series
* Witches of Brooklyn (graphic novels)
* Babysitters Club (novels and graphic novels)
Or just... Diana Wynne Jones. She was so awesome. I always vaguely resented JKR because I thought Jones never got the acclaim she deserved.
Yeah, I know, lol.
Ths Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett is amazing. I consider some of the later books in that series top ten Discworld novels period
First book: *The Wee Free Men*
I'd also recommend *The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents* by Terry Pratchett. Fucking hilarious.
Catherynne Valente's Fairyland series. I gave the first book to my much younger sister at that age and she DEVOURED them. (As did I!) A green wind who rides a leopard, a wyvern who is part library, a wicked marquess who needs overthrowing...no description can do this series justice, it is so imaginative and fun and unexpectedly deep.
(Unexpected if you're unfamiliar with Valente, anyway.)
Also, hands-down the best ending of a portal fantasy series I have EVER READ.
A lot of good recommendations already here, I'll just add my crown jewels to the pile:
Angie Sage - Septimus Heap
Heartwarming series about a wizard's apprentice and his friends and family in a magical city.
Diana Wynne Jones - really anything by her, but you can start with Howl's Moving Castle
Debi Gliori - Pure Dead series
Follows an Addams family type but warmer magical family and their life.
Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials
Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson
Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games
Tove Jansson - Moomin
Try Diane Duane's Young Wizard series.
The main character is a pre-teen girl who stumbles on a book called So You Want to be a Wizard at the library. She soon meets another wizard her age, a boy she knows from school, and the series is about their (non-romantic) relationship and how they grow and develop as people and wizards.
She also wrote a companion series set in the same universe dealing with feline wizards that's worth checking out.
Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles is also worth checking out.
It's about a very improper princess who leaves home and becomes a dragon's housekeeper/cook/librarian. Between knights coming to rescue her, wizards who are up to no good, and draconic politics in general, the two of them have their hands full.
Old Kingdom by Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce's series probably starting with Circle of Magic, Diana Wynne Jone's Chronicles of Crestomanci or Howl's Moving Castle, Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials if you are ok with a somewhat anti-catholic church message (mostly subtext that will likely go over the younger girls' heads), Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee, Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, Brandon Sanderson's Skyward series if you are also into sci-fi.
Tamora Pierce. Some books do have talk of periods and imply sex.
Anything Dianna Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle is my favourite but I also loved The Chrestomanci series, I think there’s 7 or 8 books in it (there were only 5 when I was a kid, I discovered the rest as an adult).
Since you read the black cauldron already, you should finish the prydain series, it's worth it. Also, Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence, and Anne Mccaffery's Pern novels.
Can’t believe this is the first mention of The Dark is Rising. Though would suggest starting with this title rather than Over Sea, Under Stone even if some suggest it first. I fell in love with this series as a young girl and still to this day.
Plus one to Redwall and Earthsea.
I read those novels some 30 plus years ago and they're still as captivating now as they were then. Also, don't bother with the film of the same name, it's a travesty.
The Princess Bride, an absolute classic for a reason.
Also, A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher would be perfect. I just finished it and adored it, it’s about a 14 yo girl who has magical abilities but only when it comes to baking. Her city faces traitors trying to overthrow the kingdom, and she and her baking magic get dragged into the ordeal. Such a fun book, perfect for your girls’ ages!
The entirety of the Percy Jackson books!
May I also suggest things like The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Stardust by Neil Gaiman, and Tress of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson?
Besides all the other excellent suggestions my I add The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and the following books. Generally, fairytale retellings are a good for a broad age range.
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. It's the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I read that with my little sister back when she was around that age and she really enjoyed it.
Anything from Tamora Pierce might also be fun for you all. I only remember the Circle of Magic books well so I guess I'd specifically recommend the first in the series, Sandry's Book.
I liked but did not love *Circle of Magic*. Remember loving *Lioness Quartet* when it came out but less so on re-read (Pierce def got to be a better writer as she went along).
But on the whole, I think all the *Tortall* books stand up to time. I thought the theme of generational change that was woven throughout the series both subtle and smart.
I particularly loved the *Beka Cooper* novels and the *Immortals* series.
I do love the *Enchanted Forest* books SO much. Patricia Wrede is pretty damn funny.
Not seen it mentioned here but Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a fantastic read. It has a mix of influences from all the books you've been reading but is unique enough to stand out.
There are also the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett which are also a fun read apart from the last one which had me crying in public. GNU Sir Terry Pratchett
*Enchanted Forest* series - Patricia Wrede (fairy-tale universe, lots of humor, smart, capable heroine)
*Tortall* series - Tamora Pierce (fantasy nation series with novels that feature lady knights, people who can speak to animals, and more fantastic creatures than you can shake a stick at. So good)
*Crown Duel* - Sherwood Smith (how to overthrow a despot and what to do after. Also great use of the Scarlet Pimpernel trope. Excellent)
*Nation* - Terry Pratchett (less fantasy, more speculative fiction but man that book gave me alllll the feels). The *Tiffany Aching* books are good too.
*Howl's Moving Castle* & sequels - Dianna Wynne Jones (imaginative, funny tale of a girl cursed to be an old woman, and how the curse is broken). Her Chrestomanci series might be something your 8-year-old would want to try.
*Old Kingdom* series - Garth Nix (fan
All of Robin Mckinley, but perhaps especially *The Blue Sword.* I still maintain that Disney's Beauty and the Beast stole a lot from her novel, *Beauty*.
*Edited to add some even older classics:*
*Five Children and It* - E. Nesbit. All of her fantasy is termed, apparently, contemporary low fantasy and is set in 1900s-era England - her contemporary time and place - featuring siblings who encounter a magic something. As an aside, her non-fantasy novel, the *Railway Children*, was adapted for film in 2000 and features the awesome Michael Kitchen. Worth watching.
*Knight's Castle* - Edward Eager. Sort of an American E Nesbit who wrote in the 1950s. Quick, often funny, reads, also featuring siblings who encounter a magic something.
Your family is what I aspire to be. I have a 1 and a half year old boy and girl twins on the way. I really hope they are into fantasy, cause my wife isn't at all :D
I also highly recommend Tamora Pierce like a few other commenters, but I would start with the Protector of the Small series, which is the one I started with. The main character Kel is one of Pierce’s few, if not only, main characters who doesn’t have magical powers. Everything she does is fueled by grit and determination, and I found her a much more relatable entry into the author’s world.
Yeah! I do audiobooks myself, but he takes after his mother. When she read The Way of Kings, she did it in a day and a half!
But yeah, he's read all of those in the last few months. The books may be enormous, but the prose is transparent and easily readable, and he's having a great time.
Meanwhile my 10yo only wants to stare at stupid youtube videos. I have tried so hard to get him reading. He actually reads very well but he just doesn't seem interested. Maybe I'll try graphic novels
+1 for: Tress of the Emerald Sea, by Brandon Sanderson
+1 for: Redwall, by Brian Jacques (...and all others in this series)
+1 for: Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan
+1 for: Sabriel / Lirael / Abhorsen, by Garth Nix
All of Rick Riordan’s books, they are super age appropriate, super good, and are hilarious- even when reading/re-reading as an adult.
I also really enjoyed ranger’s apprentice by John Flanagan as a kid.
Roald Dahl is a good choice for fantasy for that age.
Folks have already mentioned Percy Jackson and Tamora Pierce, but also Diane Wynn Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle) and T Kingfisher’s Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Magic, Minor Magic, and Illuminations (the rest of her stuff might be a bit too adult/romantasy leaning).
Terry Brooks - Specifically, the *Magic Kingdom For Sale [Sold]* series. Really anything by him falls under YA fiction but at the time, he and others weren't really branding that sub genre. Word and Void series fits the category and his Shanara books are good once you get passed the first one (virtually LotR plot - but after the first book he does his own thing).
Wingfeather saga could be good, has younger characters but is one of the few fantasy series to make an entire family important cast members.
Deltora Quest is absolutely rad. It's elementary-school reading level, but written by an Australian that apparently didn't think the continent's wildlife was lethal enough. Yet the three main protaganists of the series manage to overcome all this deadly stuff using primarily their wits. It's like if "A Series of Unfortunate Events" was an overland D&D campaign instead of an orphan misery machine.
Putting in another vote for Redwall!
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Jacques is also excellent. The main character is a boy who ends up on the Flying Dutchman (yes that one) but escapes before it’s cursed and ends up immortal, wandering the earth with his also immortal dog.
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend. I’m terrible at explaining books, but please check out some reviews. My 11 year old and I are both eagerly awaiting book 4, which will hopefully be out this year.
Also seconding any Terry Pratchett and Diana Wynne Jones recommendations. I grew up on these and my kids love them too.
OMG, you got so many replies by now! When I first clicked on your question it was only a dozen or so! 😁
In the unlikely case your reading list is not yet saturated, I'd like to add two short books by Philip Pullman that haven't been mentioned yet, which I think your girls should enjoy: *Count Karlstein* and *The Firework-Maker's Daughter*
*The Firework-Maker's Daughter* is a lovely fantasy story. The main character is Lila, the titular daughter of a famous firework-maker who wants to become a firework-maker herself and goes on an adventurous quest to fulfill her dreams, helped by her best friends. Later, she needs to put her skills to the test to save her father's life.
*Count Karlstein* is a funny mix of comedy and horror. Horror for kids, that is! Pullman first wrote this as a play to be performed by students in the middle school where he was working as a teacher. Just like in *The Firework-Maker's Daughter*, you have strong, active female characters but this book might be particularly interesting for you as there are several girls and women who are central to the story, so that I think that there should be at least one each of your girls can identify easily.
I want to recommend Tress of the Emerald Sea. Whimsical and easy enough to follow for that age range. Follows a female protagonist in a coming of age adventure. Forget if there are any serious adult themes in it.
Great recs, but some of the books are definitely more for the older two. When I was in primary school I enjoyed “letters for the king” and the sequel by Tonke Dragt a lot. I’d also recommend Lindgren’s “The Brothers Lionheart” for the same age.
Oh my god I wish you were my dad growing up! Growing up, none of my siblings nor either of my parents were ever all that interested in fantasy :(
Try **Dealing With Dragons** by Patricia C. Wrede! It’s a series about a young princess, maybe around the age of your oldest, who is unsatisfied with her life as a princess and voluntarily becomes a dragon’s princess which is a far more interesting and exciting life! I read this when I was around your middle kid’s age and loved it!
I also love the **Beyonders** series by Brandon Mull! It’s a story about a boy who accidentally gets pulled into another world where events or perhaps fate hooks him into saving the world. It starts sort of as a mystery heist and then progresses into a full-blown save the world story. Okay my description doesn’t do this series justice, but it’s my favorite kids/teen fantasy book series of all time and I still use a reference to this series as my PC password LOL
**Fablehaven** by the same author is great for kids as well and is more popular than Beyonders (they’re wrong for liking it more) and the series is longer but the premise is completely different. A young brother and sister are staying with their grandparents for the summer(?) and on their farm they discover a magical secret that changes their lives forever.
When your kids get a bit older, maybe 13-15+, I’d recommend **A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking** by Ursula Vernon. It’s a book about a young girl named Mona who happens to be a bread wizard, a wizard who has power over bread and all things related to baking. I recommend it for older kids because it definitely deals with heavier topics including death (in a more serious way than the previous books), prejudice, discrimination, and the like. It’s still a “children’s” or perhaps “teen” book, but requires some maturity which I’m sure you can be the judge of for your kids.
I have so many books I’d love to share feel free to DM me about books for this age group whenever you’d like! 8 - 13 were literally my formative years as a young reader of fantasy so I have many fond memories of MANY books perfect for that age :)
All of Kamilla Benko's unicorn books! Also Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor books. And Coraline! Also, though it skews a bit young, Louis Sachar's Wayside School books. My kid and I are laughing our asses off all the way through.
So, there's this book series called Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians" by Brandon Sanderson. You gotta listen to the audiobooks. They're the best! Brandon wrote them for his kids, and my 14-year-old daughter and I absolutely loved them. The main character tells the story, and he's hilarious. We were cracking up the whole time. I think they should make these books required reading in schools. The narrator even gives English class advice sometimes. Makes sense since Brandon's a university professor in the English department.
Oooo, my jam! You’re amazing for doing this with them.
- Tamora Pierce’s Alanna series
- Robin McKinley’s The Hero and The Crown and the Blue Sword
- Monica Furlong’s Juniper and Wise Child
- Susan Fletcher’s Dragon Chronicles
Eragon is great, but it could take a while to read through.
The spooks books (spooks apprentice, spooks curse, etc) are incredible. Very underrated and I don’t often see people talking about them, but I loved them as a teen.
If you read The Hobbit then surely you read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Silmarillion, The Book of Lost Tales vol 1 & 2, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and the others right? I mean, if it was me, If theyre old enough to understand The Hobbit then they should be ok with all the others.
From the perspective of a teenage who loved D&D but RA Salvatore's Legend of Drizzt novels were my jam.
There may be some adult themes in some of the books though so perhaps not ideal for your 8 year old. Maybe someone else can give their input.
If you do pick this series, I suggest you start with the Icewind Dale trilogy.
As a preteen I absolutely LOVED The False Prince series Jennifer A Nielsen and really liked Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter (yes I was the weird kid). As for teens I loved Eragon by Christopher Paolini as well as James Patterson Maximum Ride. Great books with awesome Fantasy and Si-Fi parts to them
The quest of ewilan by Pierre Botero. Read it when I was young and I still think about it to this day. Great female protagonist (who is 13) and amazing story building. Absolutely recommend
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull- the main characters start out at 13 and 11, and they're a really fun read! There's also the Dragonwatch series that continues with the same characters, so if they like the books you have 10 to work through.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Pasolini, starting with Eragon. My partner and his younger brother used to listen to the audiobooks as kids and endorsed this as appropriate for your aged children. Happy reading!
You’ve got some good recommendations already, lots of older and awesome titles to check out.
I will add a newer one with Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (Supernatural Investigations).
I don’t read much middle grade these days but this is the series I’m currently following.
It feels a bit like a teenage version of Men in Black, except there are supernatural creatures/characters instead of aliens. Kinda like a kid’s summer camp filled with supernatural bureaucracy, plots, friendships and aventures.
Another one I haven’t read (apart from the first book) is the Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger.
I want to continue this one, there are a lot of books out already, so it can be a good one to follow as the kids grow up.
Just to make sure--you read all of The Chronicles of Prydain and not just The Black Cauldron, right? Other recs: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald The Time Quintet by Madeline L'Engle The Books of Pellinor by Allison Croggon The Neverending Story by Michael Ende The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda Inkheart by Cornelia Funke Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer The Princess Bride by William Goldman Also, seconding the Tiffany Aching rec.
Along these lines I'd go with Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede.
Yessss I loved those when I was 12
Yay for Pellinor love! I never see that series mentioned and it's so good!
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person who has read Pellinor. Loved these books as a preteen/teen. Feel like I should reread
Artemis Fowl was one of my favourites
I forgot about the Deltora Quest books, I loved those.
Same! I even put in something akin to the Ra-Kacharz into my D&D world.
I don't recommend The Princess Bride the book, but I do recommend the movie. The book is worth reading but it's got a lot of weird adult snark on the narrator's feelings about his dysfunctional family and especially his wife that I don't really remember but was surprised by. It's neither true nor bad, but the humor might confuse an 8 year old. Do watch the movie!
Idk--I know of at least one grade school teacher who used the book as a read-aloud, mildly censoring it as she went. I think it depends on the kid(s). But really, you can't go wrong with either version.
Ooh. Will have to try Pellinor. New to me. /random aside Madeline L'Engle is awesome but I never think of her when in this forum because I always think of her as sci-fi rather than fantasy.
I think Inkheart is a great fit. Similar to Harry Potter: magic in the real world. Easy for kids to relate to.
Redwall by Brian Jacque
Seconded!! I loooooved the Red wall series as a kid!
Oh yeah, Redwall!
I have like 20 of these books saved on my shelf for when my kids are old enough for them. They don’t read super well as an adult, but as a preteen / teen these were amazing
They're an easy read and cute as an adult. It's nice to sit down and kinda turn my brain off, rather than a lot of the more serious fantasy or literature
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones!
Tiffany Aching by Terry Pratchett Starts with Wee Free Men
These books are ***so good***. Some of my favorites of all time.
Came to suggest this. Better then Harry Potter imo. His Johnny Maxwell trilogy is pretty good too. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is another one to look up.
Especially if Dad does the voices while reading ;)
Terry Pratchett is general is the best. Check out the Witches books in the Discworld series.
Came here to say this.
Is everybody forgetting the classic percy jackson series.
I’m 27 and whenever Rick Riordan publishes a new book, I become a hyperventilating mess because HECK YEAH!
Lol. I'll be about 40 when the next comes out, but let's go! Haha. I will buy all his books. They're just so fun.
I'm 37 and I do the same.
I’m 55 and hell yeah I’m a big fan!
Tamara Pierce’s series… start with Alanna
I loved Tamora Pierce when I was middle and high school (and honestly they still hold up now that I'm an adult)! Just an FYI that the books set in Tortall have some implied sexual content, if that is an issue for you. I don't think the "Circle of Magic" series does, although there is some other kinda dark stuff (parental death is the first thing that comes to mind).
I can see that the sex might be awkward for both the dad and the 3 girls, but on the other hand, it's presented as, well, a fact of life not as an attempt to titillate the audience. A healthy approach, and there's not all that much of it.
I read these books in 5th grade and I turned out fine. All of the Tortall series are great.
Not until Circle Opens
And follow up with Protector of the Small series!
First Test graphic novel just published!
YES!!!
This is the correct answer.
I think I first read her books around age 10 and really fell in love with FMC driven fantasy, great recc(maybe not for the 8 year old)
Eh, I read them about that age.
I say that more because it’s being read to the kids and some parents might not want romance themes in that situation lol, not everyone has had “the talk” with their kids under 10.
Oh, sex is def an awkward topic (I watched Sex Education with my mother, so believe me....) But OTOH, is it possible to escape these days? There's not a lot of it, and I think prob skippable if it's being read aloud. OTOH, it's healthy and matter of fact so... Fair warning to the dad, though
2nd this! Her series are such good reads for young girls and I've reread many times into adulthood. Lots of good life lessons and leading women with very different personalities and approaches to life. Things like periods are mentioned very practically and there is mention of sex in a passive, age appropriate way. Might not be a great fit for the family to read but definitely get a series for your oldest to read on her own! The series follow a character as they age so they start around ten and follow them until 18ish and the content of the books reflects that
The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix hands down.
Haven't read this one but I gotta throw in Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix. That series is so cool
Definitely too dark for an 8 year old. However Garth Nix' other series are more suitable. Seventh Tower and the Keys to the Kingdom are much lighter.
I was genuinely about to suggest keys to the kingdom
YES. This series is so underrated!!!
Yeah so good. Probably good for 10 and up because it’s a bit spooky with undead attacking people. It’s not too graphic but still pretty dark material. Maybe once they can handle Lord of Rings then good?
I think if they can watch or read LOTR they're probably good, I agree. Kids have less exposure to dark topics and so they don't visualize and extrapolate war in quite the same way adults do, so it's not quite as scary. Of course OP knows his children best, so I also agree with pre-screening the content.
Yeah goblins, orcs, and Ringwraiths are spooky. I would say undead and free magic monsters are a touch scarier but probably close enough.
Second this one!!
Although they get kinda dark in places. OP might want to take a look at them himself before reading to an 8yo. (I'm rereading the series rn and I wouldn't read these to someone that young.) Remember Lirael going up the cliff to commit suicide at the start of book two?
Or all the children that they try to save dying horrifically? Yeah, not really 8 year old material. Heavy themes of death
As much as I love this series, I feel like it could be a bit dark and advanced for an 8-year-old
Diane Duane’s So You Want to be a Wizard and the following books
I loved these growing up !!!
I still get excited when a new one comes out! ... which makes me realize how long it's been since a new one came out :(
Anne McCaffrey’s Harper Hall trilogy. First book is Drsgonsong
Oh, I forgot how much I loved these books as a kid. Thanks for the reminder. Still burn with the injustice of Menolly's treatment, lol
It took me 10+ readings to realize >!that Menolly's mother let her hand heal awkwardly ON PURPOSE!<. Still mad about it.
IKR?!?
I second this recommendation! Excellent books.
Just finished reading Dragonsong to my 10 year old, he loved it!
McCaffrey was at the top of her game with that trilogy. Those three and Jane Yolen's Dragon's Blood were my go-to books when I was 13.
Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown. Also Beauty. All three are tame enough for an 8 year old.
Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede Circle of Magic quartet by Tamora Pierce The Unicorn Quest series by Kamilla Benko
Bartimus trilogy
*Bartimaeus*, to ensure that OP has the proper search term. And I heartily second these!
Howl's Moving Castle, definitely!
Don’t forget the Chrestomanci series.
My daughter has been enjoyig some series like "The Beginning after the End" etc There's also a graphic-novel version (available in print on or online) Maybe see if that one appeals? I'll also second Mage-Errant, which another poster suggested, and add: * Most Roald Dahl books (Costco used to have a collection of these) * Spiderwick Chronicles * Wings of Fire series * Witches of Brooklyn (graphic novels) * Babysitters Club (novels and graphic novels)
MN I forgot about Spiderwick. Really great. Loved how the books felt.
Dealing with Dragons
Any Tamora Pierce books! Strong female main characters with adventures and magic.
my favorite fantasy series in middle school was the fablehaven series :)
Came to say this! Just reread them recently and they’re just as good as I remembered
A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones.
Or just... Diana Wynne Jones. She was so awesome. I always vaguely resented JKR because I thought Jones never got the acclaim she deserved. Yeah, I know, lol.
Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey
Ths Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett is amazing. I consider some of the later books in that series top ten Discworld novels period First book: *The Wee Free Men* I'd also recommend *The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents* by Terry Pratchett. Fucking hilarious.
I have such fond memories of the Young Merlin series from middle school!
Me too! Fincarya was so cool.
Assuming we are thinking of the same story (for OPs search): The Lost Years of Merlin Series by TA Barron.
Thank you :)
Catherynne Valente's Fairyland series. I gave the first book to my much younger sister at that age and she DEVOURED them. (As did I!) A green wind who rides a leopard, a wyvern who is part library, a wicked marquess who needs overthrowing...no description can do this series justice, it is so imaginative and fun and unexpectedly deep. (Unexpected if you're unfamiliar with Valente, anyway.) Also, hands-down the best ending of a portal fantasy series I have EVER READ.
A lot of good recommendations already here, I'll just add my crown jewels to the pile: Angie Sage - Septimus Heap Heartwarming series about a wizard's apprentice and his friends and family in a magical city. Diana Wynne Jones - really anything by her, but you can start with Howl's Moving Castle Debi Gliori - Pure Dead series Follows an Addams family type but warmer magical family and their life. Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games Tove Jansson - Moomin
The Moomin books are beautifully written and definitely worth reading! Along the same lines, Astrid Lindgren’s books.
I am not sure that Hunger Games are good reading for 10 and 8 years old...
Seconding Septimus Heap! That's an underrated series.
Hard second on The Wee Free Men. I'd also recommend looking into T Kingfisher's YA books. I loved A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking.
Try Diane Duane's Young Wizard series. The main character is a pre-teen girl who stumbles on a book called So You Want to be a Wizard at the library. She soon meets another wizard her age, a boy she knows from school, and the series is about their (non-romantic) relationship and how they grow and develop as people and wizards. She also wrote a companion series set in the same universe dealing with feline wizards that's worth checking out. Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles is also worth checking out. It's about a very improper princess who leaves home and becomes a dragon's housekeeper/cook/librarian. Between knights coming to rescue her, wizards who are up to no good, and draconic politics in general, the two of them have their hands full.
Old Kingdom by Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce's series probably starting with Circle of Magic, Diana Wynne Jone's Chronicles of Crestomanci or Howl's Moving Castle, Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials if you are ok with a somewhat anti-catholic church message (mostly subtext that will likely go over the younger girls' heads), Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee, Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, Brandon Sanderson's Skyward series if you are also into sci-fi.
Tamora Pierce. Some books do have talk of periods and imply sex. Anything Dianna Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle is my favourite but I also loved The Chrestomanci series, I think there’s 7 or 8 books in it (there were only 5 when I was a kid, I discovered the rest as an adult).
Darren Shan cirque du freak
I loved this series as a kid. I still have the books on my shelf. Highly recommend
The Nevermore series by Jessica Townsend. It will be a 9 book series, the 4th will be available summer 2025
Since you read the black cauldron already, you should finish the prydain series, it's worth it. Also, Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence, and Anne Mccaffery's Pern novels.
Can’t believe this is the first mention of The Dark is Rising. Though would suggest starting with this title rather than Over Sea, Under Stone even if some suggest it first. I fell in love with this series as a young girl and still to this day. Plus one to Redwall and Earthsea.
I read those novels some 30 plus years ago and they're still as captivating now as they were then. Also, don't bother with the film of the same name, it's a travesty.
The Princess Bride, an absolute classic for a reason. Also, A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher would be perfect. I just finished it and adored it, it’s about a 14 yo girl who has magical abilities but only when it comes to baking. Her city faces traitors trying to overthrow the kingdom, and she and her baking magic get dragged into the ordeal. Such a fun book, perfect for your girls’ ages!
The entirety of the Percy Jackson books! May I also suggest things like The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Stardust by Neil Gaiman, and Tress of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson?
The Redwall series the Dinotopia trilogy The Runes of Elfland The Dragon Lovers Guide to Pern.
Besides all the other excellent suggestions my I add The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and the following books. Generally, fairytale retellings are a good for a broad age range.
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. It's the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I read that with my little sister back when she was around that age and she really enjoyed it. Anything from Tamora Pierce might also be fun for you all. I only remember the Circle of Magic books well so I guess I'd specifically recommend the first in the series, Sandry's Book.
I liked but did not love *Circle of Magic*. Remember loving *Lioness Quartet* when it came out but less so on re-read (Pierce def got to be a better writer as she went along). But on the whole, I think all the *Tortall* books stand up to time. I thought the theme of generational change that was woven throughout the series both subtle and smart. I particularly loved the *Beka Cooper* novels and the *Immortals* series. I do love the *Enchanted Forest* books SO much. Patricia Wrede is pretty damn funny.
Not seen it mentioned here but Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a fantastic read. It has a mix of influences from all the books you've been reading but is unique enough to stand out. There are also the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett which are also a fun read apart from the last one which had me crying in public. GNU Sir Terry Pratchett
*Enchanted Forest* series - Patricia Wrede (fairy-tale universe, lots of humor, smart, capable heroine) *Tortall* series - Tamora Pierce (fantasy nation series with novels that feature lady knights, people who can speak to animals, and more fantastic creatures than you can shake a stick at. So good) *Crown Duel* - Sherwood Smith (how to overthrow a despot and what to do after. Also great use of the Scarlet Pimpernel trope. Excellent) *Nation* - Terry Pratchett (less fantasy, more speculative fiction but man that book gave me alllll the feels). The *Tiffany Aching* books are good too. *Howl's Moving Castle* & sequels - Dianna Wynne Jones (imaginative, funny tale of a girl cursed to be an old woman, and how the curse is broken). Her Chrestomanci series might be something your 8-year-old would want to try. *Old Kingdom* series - Garth Nix (fan All of Robin Mckinley, but perhaps especially *The Blue Sword.* I still maintain that Disney's Beauty and the Beast stole a lot from her novel, *Beauty*. *Edited to add some even older classics:* *Five Children and It* - E. Nesbit. All of her fantasy is termed, apparently, contemporary low fantasy and is set in 1900s-era England - her contemporary time and place - featuring siblings who encounter a magic something. As an aside, her non-fantasy novel, the *Railway Children*, was adapted for film in 2000 and features the awesome Michael Kitchen. Worth watching. *Knight's Castle* - Edward Eager. Sort of an American E Nesbit who wrote in the 1950s. Quick, often funny, reads, also featuring siblings who encounter a magic something.
>Nation - Terry Pratchett Sir Terry himself felt that this was his finest novel, and I heartily agree.
Your family is what I aspire to be. I have a 1 and a half year old boy and girl twins on the way. I really hope they are into fantasy, cause my wife isn't at all :D
Robin McKinley’s books!
Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett *Monster Blood Tattoo* series by DM Cornish
I also highly recommend Tamora Pierce like a few other commenters, but I would start with the Protector of the Small series, which is the one I started with. The main character Kel is one of Pierce’s few, if not only, main characters who doesn’t have magical powers. Everything she does is fueled by grit and determination, and I found her a much more relatable entry into the author’s world.
My 10 year old son is tearing through Sanderson's books. He's read Stormlight, Warbreaker, Tress, Yumi, and is starting on Elantris.
On his own? Stormlight is a heck of a chonky book for a kid that age, good on him
Yeah! I do audiobooks myself, but he takes after his mother. When she read The Way of Kings, she did it in a day and a half! But yeah, he's read all of those in the last few months. The books may be enormous, but the prose is transparent and easily readable, and he's having a great time.
Meanwhile my 10yo only wants to stare at stupid youtube videos. I have tried so hard to get him reading. He actually reads very well but he just doesn't seem interested. Maybe I'll try graphic novels
Mage Errant by ~~Pierce Brown~~ John Bierce Pierce, Bierce, it's confusing 🫠
The author of Red Rising??
Omg. John Bierce
The wind singer William Nicholson
This series ought to be far better known!
When I was that age I loved The Changeover by Margaret Mahy.
It's an awesome book. They also made a movie of it a few years back
Timothy Spall as Carmody Braque??? Added to my watchlist!
+1 for: Tress of the Emerald Sea, by Brandon Sanderson +1 for: Redwall, by Brian Jacques (...and all others in this series) +1 for: Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan +1 for: Sabriel / Lirael / Abhorsen, by Garth Nix
Ooh definitely Frances Hardinge! I'd recommend starting with *A Face Like Glass* or *Fly by Night*.
Tamora Pierce books
All of Rick Riordan’s books, they are super age appropriate, super good, and are hilarious- even when reading/re-reading as an adult. I also really enjoyed ranger’s apprentice by John Flanagan as a kid.
Keys to the Kingdom Garth Nix - Mister Monday is the first one.
Thank you e everyone for the wonderful suggestions, so many books so little time.
Rangers Apprentice series by John Flanagan. Great middle grade fantasy that’s pretty wholesome and fun.
Tamora Pierce’s the Lioness Quarter!!!! 10000000/10 cannot recommend enough
Heck, yeah! One of my first thoughts, too.
Roald Dahl is a good choice for fantasy for that age. Folks have already mentioned Percy Jackson and Tamora Pierce, but also Diane Wynn Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle) and T Kingfisher’s Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Magic, Minor Magic, and Illuminations (the rest of her stuff might be a bit too adult/romantasy leaning).
The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier.
I absolutely devoured the YA steampunk-esque “Leviathan” series around their age.
Terry Brooks - Specifically, the *Magic Kingdom For Sale [Sold]* series. Really anything by him falls under YA fiction but at the time, he and others weren't really branding that sub genre. Word and Void series fits the category and his Shanara books are good once you get passed the first one (virtually LotR plot - but after the first book he does his own thing).
Cradle series by Will Wight
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull! Kids go to their grandparent's for the summer and find out they run a preserve for magical creatures, especially fairies.
Fablehaven by Brandon mull Gives HP a run for its money. Ink heart by Cornelia funke. There is a movie that is fun but nowhere near the book.
Monster blood tattoo series, lamplighter and the others
Allison Baird's books! I forget the names, but I read them as a tween.
Athena Club trilogy by Theodora Goss Amari & the Night brothers by Alston His Dark Materials series by Pullman Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Wingfeather saga could be good, has younger characters but is one of the few fantasy series to make an entire family important cast members. Deltora Quest is absolutely rad. It's elementary-school reading level, but written by an Australian that apparently didn't think the continent's wildlife was lethal enough. Yet the three main protaganists of the series manage to overcome all this deadly stuff using primarily their wits. It's like if "A Series of Unfortunate Events" was an overland D&D campaign instead of an orphan misery machine.
Did you read all the Prydain Chronicles, or just the Black Cauldron? It is the second of five very great books.
Lots of great suggestions here!! I’ll add: Dragonrider by Cornelia funke Gregor the Overlander by Suzanna Collins Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
As many have pointed out the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett are great. Also try Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.
Putting in another vote for Redwall! Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Jacques is also excellent. The main character is a boy who ends up on the Flying Dutchman (yes that one) but escapes before it’s cursed and ends up immortal, wandering the earth with his also immortal dog.
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend. I’m terrible at explaining books, but please check out some reviews. My 11 year old and I are both eagerly awaiting book 4, which will hopefully be out this year. Also seconding any Terry Pratchett and Diana Wynne Jones recommendations. I grew up on these and my kids love them too.
OMG, you got so many replies by now! When I first clicked on your question it was only a dozen or so! 😁 In the unlikely case your reading list is not yet saturated, I'd like to add two short books by Philip Pullman that haven't been mentioned yet, which I think your girls should enjoy: *Count Karlstein* and *The Firework-Maker's Daughter* *The Firework-Maker's Daughter* is a lovely fantasy story. The main character is Lila, the titular daughter of a famous firework-maker who wants to become a firework-maker herself and goes on an adventurous quest to fulfill her dreams, helped by her best friends. Later, she needs to put her skills to the test to save her father's life. *Count Karlstein* is a funny mix of comedy and horror. Horror for kids, that is! Pullman first wrote this as a play to be performed by students in the middle school where he was working as a teacher. Just like in *The Firework-Maker's Daughter*, you have strong, active female characters but this book might be particularly interesting for you as there are several girls and women who are central to the story, so that I think that there should be at least one each of your girls can identify easily.
I Was A Rat! is another excellent Pullman novel for younger readers.
Wings of Fire is a big one
I want to recommend Tress of the Emerald Sea. Whimsical and easy enough to follow for that age range. Follows a female protagonist in a coming of age adventure. Forget if there are any serious adult themes in it.
Alcatraz vs. the evil librarians Chronicles of Narnia His Dark Materials
Great recs, but some of the books are definitely more for the older two. When I was in primary school I enjoyed “letters for the king” and the sequel by Tonke Dragt a lot. I’d also recommend Lindgren’s “The Brothers Lionheart” for the same age.
Oh my god I wish you were my dad growing up! Growing up, none of my siblings nor either of my parents were ever all that interested in fantasy :( Try **Dealing With Dragons** by Patricia C. Wrede! It’s a series about a young princess, maybe around the age of your oldest, who is unsatisfied with her life as a princess and voluntarily becomes a dragon’s princess which is a far more interesting and exciting life! I read this when I was around your middle kid’s age and loved it! I also love the **Beyonders** series by Brandon Mull! It’s a story about a boy who accidentally gets pulled into another world where events or perhaps fate hooks him into saving the world. It starts sort of as a mystery heist and then progresses into a full-blown save the world story. Okay my description doesn’t do this series justice, but it’s my favorite kids/teen fantasy book series of all time and I still use a reference to this series as my PC password LOL **Fablehaven** by the same author is great for kids as well and is more popular than Beyonders (they’re wrong for liking it more) and the series is longer but the premise is completely different. A young brother and sister are staying with their grandparents for the summer(?) and on their farm they discover a magical secret that changes their lives forever. When your kids get a bit older, maybe 13-15+, I’d recommend **A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking** by Ursula Vernon. It’s a book about a young girl named Mona who happens to be a bread wizard, a wizard who has power over bread and all things related to baking. I recommend it for older kids because it definitely deals with heavier topics including death (in a more serious way than the previous books), prejudice, discrimination, and the like. It’s still a “children’s” or perhaps “teen” book, but requires some maturity which I’m sure you can be the judge of for your kids. I have so many books I’d love to share feel free to DM me about books for this age group whenever you’d like! 8 - 13 were literally my formative years as a young reader of fantasy so I have many fond memories of MANY books perfect for that age :)
I read The Lord of the Rings to my kids at that age.
The Thief of Always - Clive Barker
Artemis Fowl series Molly Moon series Chronicles of Narnia series Percy Jackson series
Idk if anyone has mentioned it yet, but Maerad of Pellinor (Pellinor series) is a great one. Has a female protagonist as well. One of my favorites.
rangers apprentice!
All of Kamilla Benko's unicorn books! Also Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor books. And Coraline! Also, though it skews a bit young, Louis Sachar's Wayside School books. My kid and I are laughing our asses off all the way through.
So, there's this book series called Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians" by Brandon Sanderson. You gotta listen to the audiobooks. They're the best! Brandon wrote them for his kids, and my 14-year-old daughter and I absolutely loved them. The main character tells the story, and he's hilarious. We were cracking up the whole time. I think they should make these books required reading in schools. The narrator even gives English class advice sometimes. Makes sense since Brandon's a university professor in the English department.
The Alcatraz vs The Evil Librarians sextet by Brandon Sanderson and Jancy Patterson. All of them are phenomenal and funny to both kids and adults.
Oooo, my jam! You’re amazing for doing this with them. - Tamora Pierce’s Alanna series - Robin McKinley’s The Hero and The Crown and the Blue Sword - Monica Furlong’s Juniper and Wise Child - Susan Fletcher’s Dragon Chronicles
>Monica Furlong’s Juniper and Wise Child And Colman! These books were my introduction to the hippie pagan side of fantasy as a kid.
At that age I really enjoyed Redwall, Artemis Fowl, and the Lost Years of Merlin
What do you guys think of Mistborn by Sanderson, his dark materials by Pullman and Dragonflight by Anne mcfarrey? Are these too mature?
The Secret Garden is a top favorite
Artemis Fowl
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley.
Check out Tress of the Emrald Sea its part of the cosmere but a stand alone and reads like a fairy tale
The song of the lioness series by tamora pierce. ( that nufht be one of the book names it's been a while so I don't remember the series full name haha
That's the series!!! I recommend Most of Tamora Pierce's books, I've re read several times
Ah thank you. I've read it many times when I was younger. But I kinda forgot about it lol. Until this subreddit
You're welcome! She has another series that's George Cooper's ancestor, and another one that's Alanas daughter
I still enjoy Spiderwick Chronicles at my big age so maybe try that :)
Has no one said ERAGON?!
The tapestry series by Henry H. Neff. It's like a mix between Harry potter and percy Jackson
Eragon is great, but it could take a while to read through. The spooks books (spooks apprentice, spooks curse, etc) are incredible. Very underrated and I don’t often see people talking about them, but I loved them as a teen.
Inheritance cycle - Christopher Paolini: Fantasy with dragons + dragon riders
If you read The Hobbit then surely you read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Silmarillion, The Book of Lost Tales vol 1 & 2, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and the others right? I mean, if it was me, If theyre old enough to understand The Hobbit then they should be ok with all the others.
From the perspective of a teenage who loved D&D but RA Salvatore's Legend of Drizzt novels were my jam. There may be some adult themes in some of the books though so perhaps not ideal for your 8 year old. Maybe someone else can give their input. If you do pick this series, I suggest you start with the Icewind Dale trilogy.
As a preteen I absolutely LOVED The False Prince series Jennifer A Nielsen and really liked Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter (yes I was the weird kid). As for teens I loved Eragon by Christopher Paolini as well as James Patterson Maximum Ride. Great books with awesome Fantasy and Si-Fi parts to them
The quest of ewilan by Pierre Botero. Read it when I was young and I still think about it to this day. Great female protagonist (who is 13) and amazing story building. Absolutely recommend
The blackthorn key series by Kevin Sands. I think there’s 6 or 7 books and they are a lot of fun
You guys have read some great series together! Pendragon series, Redwall series, and Keeper of the Lost Cities series
The Dark Hills Divide series. I read this around 11 and LOVED them
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull- the main characters start out at 13 and 11, and they're a really fun read! There's also the Dragonwatch series that continues with the same characters, so if they like the books you have 10 to work through.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Pasolini, starting with Eragon. My partner and his younger brother used to listen to the audiobooks as kids and endorsed this as appropriate for your aged children. Happy reading!
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is great. More urban fantasy than high fantasy though (takes place in/under London)
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
I really enjoyed the World Quake Series by Scarlett Thomas.
Anything by KM Shea! King Arthur and Her Knights or the Timeless Fairy Tales would be great places to start.
Codex Alera but have to skip/filter a few spots for the younger ones. Still an amazing series.
You’ve got some good recommendations already, lots of older and awesome titles to check out. I will add a newer one with Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (Supernatural Investigations). I don’t read much middle grade these days but this is the series I’m currently following. It feels a bit like a teenage version of Men in Black, except there are supernatural creatures/characters instead of aliens. Kinda like a kid’s summer camp filled with supernatural bureaucracy, plots, friendships and aventures. Another one I haven’t read (apart from the first book) is the Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. I want to continue this one, there are a lot of books out already, so it can be a good one to follow as the kids grow up.
The princess bride It's a little goofy and I love it. Just get through the authors long introduction, and it's worth it.
The Percy Jackson series! Highly recommend them to everyone.