Fantasy is one of the best genres for hooking young readers, because immersive worlds, magic, and high stakes pull a child in and keep them turning pages. The real magic is in the series: once a child loves the characters, the next book is an easy yes, and one great fantasy can turn into months of reading. Below are eleven series full of magic, adventure, and big worlds, plus what to recommend after favorites like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.
Why Fantasy Works So Well for Young Readers
Fantasy offers escape and wonder, which is a powerful draw for a young reader. A fully built world with its own rules, magic, and dangers gives a child a place to get lost, and the stakes keep them invested. That pull is exactly what carries a reader through a longer book.
Fantasy also lends itself to series, and series are engines of reading habits. A child who finishes one book and immediately wants the next is building momentum without even trying, which is why a beloved fantasy series can do more for reading than any assignment.
11 Fantasy Books for Kids Who Love Magic, Adventure, and Big Worlds
1
Harry Potter
- Author
- J. K. Rowling
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids ready for a rich, immersive magical series
2
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- Author
- Rick Riordan
- Genre
- Fantasy Adventure
- Good for
- Kids who like fast, funny mythology
3
Wings of Fire
- Author
- Tui T. Sutherland
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids obsessed with dragons and epic conflict
4
The Land of Stories
- Author
- Chris Colfer
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids who love fairy tales come to life
5
Keeper of the Lost Cities
- Author
- Shannon Messenger
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids who want a huge series to sink into
6
Amulet
- Author
- Kazu Kibuishi
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Reluctant readers who prefer visual fantasy
7
The Chronicles of Narnia
- Author
- C. S. Lewis
- Genre
- Classic Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids who love timeless magical adventure
8
Amari and the Night Brothers
- Author
- B. B. Alston
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids who want a fresh, fast magical mystery
9
Dragon Masters
- Author
- Tracey West
- Genre
- Early Fantasy
- Good for
- Younger fantasy fans and newer readers
10
The School for Good and Evil
- Author
- Soman Chainani
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Tweens who like fairy-tale twists and humor
11
Fablehaven
- Author
- Brandon Mull
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Good for
- Kids who love secret worlds and magical creatures
What to Recommend After Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Wings of Fire
When a child finishes a beloved series, the trick is to match the feeling they loved. Fans of Harry Potter often love Keeper of the Lost Cities and Fablehaven for their big worlds. Percy Jackson fans tend to enjoy Riordan’s other mythologies and Amari and the Night Brothers, while Wings of Fire lovers often move on to Keeper of the Lost Cities or The School for Good and Evil.
Graphic-novel fantasy like Amulet is a great bridge for a reader who wants something a little lighter between big series. Ask what your child loved most, then find a read-alike that delivers the same hit.
How Series Reading Can Help Kids Build Reading Momentum
Series turn reading into a habit almost automatically. Each finished book leaves a built-in next step, so a child does not have to decide what to read next, they just keep going. That steady momentum builds fluency, vocabulary, and stamina without any of it feeling like work.
To keep the momentum, have the next book ready before the current one ends and let your child binge as much as they like. For older readers, see books for 12-year-olds, and for teens, fantasy books for teens who don’t love reading yet.
6 min read
