Recommended Fantasy/Adventure novels

Recommended Fantasy/Adventure novels


The Borrowers series by Mary Norton
Adventures of cute little mouse sized people. Great for young readers elementary and above.

Redwall series by Brian Jacques
Cute woodland animals must defend their home against evil invading vermin. Violence and some death. The first book is hard to get through, but most of them are really good

anything by Eva Ibbotson
Light hearted, fun fantasy stories similar to Harry Potter without the evil.

books by Roald Dahl
We all know Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but Roald Dahl wrote a number of charming stories including Witches and James and the Giant Peach

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Much different from the movie but the premise is the same and the books are a good read for elementary school aged children and up.

Collected Tales of Nurse Matilda by Christianna Brand and Edward Ardizzone
Roald Dahl meets Mary Poppins! These stories were recently turned into the movie Nanny McPhee. Amusing stories about very naughty children and their magical nanny.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater and Florence Atwater
I loved this book in elementary school. A man wishes for more out of life and gets what he wished for when a penguin moves in... and then another and another... Lots of fun for kids and grown ups.

Dr. Doolittle by Hugh Lofting and Ellen Mile
Another early favorite. Not much like the movie except in the basic premise. Dr. Doolittle can talk to animals! Very cool for the elementary school age.

Bed-Knob and Broomstick by Mary Norton and Erik Blegvad
I remember the Disney movie more, but the basic premise is the same: Three children come to stay with an apprentice witch and her flying bed takes them on magical adventures. Lots of fun for elementary readers.

Half Magic (series) by Edward Eager
Elementary school age reading level fantasy series about four children who encounter magical coins, time-travel herb gardens, and other unlikely devices

Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit
Another book I enjoyed in elementary school. Four brothers and sisters discover a sand-fairy and discover it can make their wishes come true.

The Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris
Tongue in cheek Arthurian legends, good for upper elementary and up.

Land of Elyon series by Patrick Carman
Lord of the Rings for kids. The hero is a 12 year old girl who must go on a quest to save the world. Occasional unrealistic introspective narrative but good for pre-teen girl. Some violence and death.

Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede
Humerous stories about a plucky princess and some dragons

Tales of the Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
Cute take on the frog prince story. Good for young and old. Some violence.

Fairy tales by Gail Carson Levine
Cute, quick twists on well known fairy tales

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Every girl needs this book! This is not your typical Cinderella story but it's nothing like the movie. Ella is a Felicity type herione and a good role model for girls.

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Wacky adventures of three kids who try to escape an evil villain. Sophisticated humor and complicated plots are enjoyed by adults. Kids love the adventure.

Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize by Esther Friesner
Helen of Troy as a spunky child.

Bloody Jack Adventures by L. A. Meyer
Hilarious adventures of girl pirate and sometimes lady, Jacky Faber in the early 19th century

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Another book every girl needs! Miri shows that even the smallest can make a difference.

Wizard's Hall by Jane Yolen
Shorter, less intense Harry Potter with a Neville type character as the hero.

Chronicles of Prydian by Lloyd Alexander
Another hero myth questing adventure story. Some cute lighthearted moments and fun characters. The evil may be too much for sensitive younger readers and there is a lot of violence and death.

The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
British mythology, including King Arthur. A different take on the hero myth. Some are quite good, others, not so much.

Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke
Fantasy adventure stories about characters from a story who threaten the heroine and her family. Situations may be too intense for younger readers. The books are filled with suspense, drama, violence and death. Well-written translations.

The Legend of Lady Ilena and Lady Ilena: Way of the Warrior by Patricia Malone
YA novels, King Arthur, druids, prophecies, female heroine.

Pirates by Celia Rees
Two young women, one slave, one a wealthy and white, in the early 18th century set sail on the high seas and become pirates. Serious adventure for young adults.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Some people love him, some people hate him, I enjoyed them and I'm picky about fantasy

Anything by Tamora Pierce
Her stories are set in medieval type worlds similar to our own and based on world history with some fantasy/mythology. I prefer her Tortall series. Younger readers should stick with the Circle of Magic books.