My 14-year-old son has devoured fantasy adventure novels since reading Harry Potter in elementary school. When asked why he keeps coming back to this story genre, he explained they are a great way to get immersed in another world, and they provide inspiring role models. The heroes or heroines often have some flaws, but at their core, they are kind, brave, and want to do good in the world. Simply put, he said, \u201cReading these types of stories gets my imagination going, which makes me think more broadly about my world and the person I want to be.\u201d <\/p>\n
Here are 20 fantasy adventure tales that will get tweens reading and thinking. <\/p>\n
no no 9780593809860 Impossible Creatures<\/i> by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie <\/p>\n
Friendship, magic, and adventure combine in this breathtaking #1 New York Times<\/i> bestseller! Christopher and his friend Mal discover a group of islands filled with magical creatures. But the islands are losing their magic, and the animals are dying. Christopher and Mal must race against the clock to discover what is causing the destruction and save the magical creatures. <\/p>\n
9780593564080 Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind<\/i> by Misa Sugiura <\/p>\n
Momo has always wanted to be ordinary, but that dream gets dashed when she learns that her mother is a Shinto goddess. With demons escaping the land of the dead, Momo must team up with old and new friends to save the world. Readers who enjoy fast-paced plots with plenty of action will find much to love about this thrilling fantasy series.<\/p>\n
9780593206973 Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom <\/i> by Sangu Mandanna <\/p>\n
Drawing is the only thing that helps Kiki escape her obsessive anxiety. She fills her sketchbook with Indian myths about evil monsters and brave warriors that her mom has told her since childhood. When her drawings come to life, she enters the fantasy world she created and faces her demons \u2013 literal and metaphorical \u2013 to save her real world. This action-packed tale is a perfect pick for fans of Rick Riordan and modern twists on mythology.<\/p>\n
9781536243574 The Secret Library<\/i> by Kekla Magoon <\/p>\n
Desperate for adventure, eleven-year-old Dally inherits a map from her grandfather that leads her to a hidden library filled with books that can transport her to other times and places. The more adventures she goes on, the further the library pulls her into its clutches. Mystery, family secrets, and magic combine in this must-read fantasy adventure novel.<\/p>\n
9780593327203 Pages and Co.: The Book Smugglers <\/i> by Anna James <\/p>\n
Tilly\u2019s bookwandering escapades continue in the fourth installment of this page-turning series<\/a>. In this book, we follow a new character, Milo, along with Tilly as they go on an adventure-filled mission to rescue Tilly\u2019s grandfather and Milo\u2019s uncle, who were poisoned. To find a cure for the poison, they dive into two beloved stories \u2014 The Railway Children<\/i> and The Wizard of Oz<\/i>. Fans of these classics will love revisiting them through Tilly\u2019s and Milo\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n 9780593708828 Witchwood: A Ravenfall Novel<\/i> by Kalyn Josephson <\/p>\n The Ravenfall series<\/a> is about two supernatural kids who live in a magical inn. Anna and Colin embark on a series of spooky and magic-filled mysteries that will captivate young readers. In the third book, the friends spend time with Anna\u2019s relatives in a town called Witchwood, where witches have been disappearing. They must figure out what is happening to the witches before Anna meets the same fate.<\/p>\n 9780593113486 The Royal Ranger: Escape from Falaise<\/i> by John Flanagan <\/p>\n The Royal Rangers<\/i> series, an offshoot of the Ranger\u2019s Apprentice<\/i> series<\/a>, is perfect for fans of action-packed hero\u2019s journey tales with a touch of romantic intrigue. In this fifth book, Will and his apprentice Maddie must use every Ranger trick they know to escape captivity and free the prince. Daring deeds, witty dialogue, and dynamic characters make this series irresistible.<\/p>\n 9780593463871 The Royal Ranger: The Ambush at Sorato<\/i> by John Flanagan <\/p>\n In the seventh installment of the Royal Ranger series<\/a>, Will and Maddie split up to tackle a formidable foe and save their kingdom from invasion. This series casts kids as heroes, encourages leadership, and keeps readers engrossed every step of the way.<\/p>\n 9780525646716 Saving Fable <\/i> by Scott Reintgen <\/p>\n Indira has been waiting her whole life to be cast as the hero of a story. She\u2019s thrilled to be sent to the town of Fable and accepted to the Protagonist Preparatory school, where she will learn to be a well-rounded character. Disappointment hits hard when she gets chosen as a side character. But soon, she realizes something dark is happening in Fable, and it\u2019s up to Indira and her friends to uncover the truth and save their world. Fans of fairy tales (and aspiring authors) will love this fast-paced, fanciful adventure tale.<\/p>\n 9780593698761 Operation Chaos (The Forgotten Five, Book 5)<\/i> by Lisa McMann <\/p>\n Kids can\u2019t get enough of this superhero-filled series from the bestselling author of The Unwanteds series. This is the fifth book in The Forgotten Five series<\/a> about a group of friends with supernatural abilities fighting against corrupt politicians. Still reeling from a recent attack on their rebellion, they must regroup and rescue their captured friends.<\/p>\n 9780593327517 Children of the Fox <\/i> by Kevin Sands <\/p>\n Mystery, magic, fables, and friendships abound in this highly bingeable book by the talented author of The Blackthorn Key<\/i>. Callan is a skilled thief who gets summoned to do a job that would pay enough for him to retire from stealing and pursue the future he wants. But, of course, no job is as simple as it looks. Described as Oceans 11<\/i> with magic for tweens, this is the perfect book for fans of stories with warm-hearted characters and unexpected plot twists.<\/p>\n 9781368081313 From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star<\/i> by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro <\/p>\n Percy Jackson fans will love this fantasy adventure centering on Nico di Angelo and his boyfriend Will as they venture into Tartarus to rescue a friend. This standalone novel is a must-read for readers who can\u2019t get enough of demigods, monsters, and daring quests.<\/p>\n 9780394820378 The Phantom Tollbooth <\/i> by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer <\/p>\n If your child complains about being bored, hand them this book. When Milo gets bored, he goes through a tollbooth that mysteriously appears in his room. It turns out to be a magical portal that leads him to meet new friends like Tock, a ticking watchdog, and go on the adventure-filled quest of a lifetime. This classic fantasy tale is full of puns and figurative language and holds up with today\u2019s young readers.<\/p>\n 9780593112106 Max in the House of Spies<\/i> by Adam Gidwitz <\/p>\n Historical fiction gets a magical twist in this novel from bestselling author Adam Gidwitz. A young Jewish boy named Max becomes a British spy during World War II so he can return to Germany and search for his family. A kobold and a dybbuk join him on his perilous journey and keep him company. Action, humor, and a thrilling narrative make this novel a must-read. Keep an eye out for the sequel, Max in the Land of Lies<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780147515544 Circus Mirandus <\/i> by Cassie Beasley <\/p>\n Micah wants to help his dying grandfather reconnect with the magical Circus Mirandus that he remembers from his youth. Unlike most others, Micah believes his grandfather’s stories and sets out to find the Light Bender, a circus member who promised a miracle to his grandfather. This story honors childlike wonder and the power of imagination while seamlessly blending fantasy with genuine emotions related to family and friendships. <\/p>\n 9780593622162 The Last Kids on Earth: The Graphic Novel<\/i> by Max Brallier, illustrated by Brian Churilla <\/p>\n The first book from the bestselling series<\/a> is now available in graphic novel format! Whether your tween is new to this series or a long-time fan, they will love this graphic novel about Jack Sullivan and his gang of misfit friends battling for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. This must-read series is jam-packed with monsters, magic, action, and humor. <\/p>\n 9781536222975 A Wish in the Dark <\/i> by Christina Soontornvat <\/p>\n This beautifully told Newbery Honor-winning fantasy centers on Pong, a wrongly imprisoned orphan, and Nok, the privileged, justice-seeking daughter of the warden. When Pong escapes prison to find his best friend, Nok pursues him to save her father\u2019s reputation. This Thai-inspired fantasy retelling of Les Mis\u00e9rables<\/i> provides fast-paced, heart-pumping action scenes and an opportunity to reflect on big ideas such as poverty, privilege, and justice.<\/p>\n 9780593810477 The Graveyard Gift<\/i> by Fern Forgettable, as told by Piper CJ <\/p>\n Rosemary can foresee people\u2019s deaths, so she enrolls in a magical school for half-human, half-fae kids like herself. At first, she loves being among other kids with unique gifts, but when a student vanishes without a trace, she realizes something sinister is happening at the school. Rosemary and her new friends pool their magical abilities to track down the missing student.<\/p>\n 9780553498462 The Uncommoners #1: The Crooked Sixpence<\/i> by Jennifer Bell <\/p>\n After their grandmother lands in the hospital and their home gets invaded by strangers, Ivy and her brother Seb get transported to a secret underground world filled with everyday objects with extraordinary powers. There, they uncover family secrets and discover more about the history of this unusual place. Excellent world-building and relatable characters make this a satisfying read.<\/p>\n 9780593898000 Murtagh: Deluxe Edition<\/i> by Christopher Paolini <\/p>\n Return to the world of Eragon or dive in for the first time with this incredible novel set one year after the events of The Inheritance Cycle series<\/a>. The story follows Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon Thorn as they tackle a new threat against their world. But as outcasts of their society, finding and defeating the deadly villain will require every ounce of their wits and strength.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Offer tweens the chance to escape real life by going on an epic journey through the pages of one of these action-packed fantasy tales.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":77308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[75,76],"coauthors":[206],"class_list":["post-76733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-fantasy","tag-adventure","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\nYou might also like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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