Magical stories for teens

In a world where everything has to be blue, what happens if you like yellow? A joyous celebration of being individual.

Sophie Hatter is cursed with an old body by the Witch of the Waste and the spell can only be broken by the dreaded Wizard Howl who lives in his moving castle and likes to eat the souls of young girls.

A story of death, magic and the afterlife told by Marinka, who is desperate not to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and wants to find her own destiny. Loosely based on the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga, this story is delightfully macabre and utterly engrossing.

Thirteen-year-old twins, Felix and Lee, live in the same house but lead very separate lives. Skilfully combining a gripping plot, intriguing characters and a convincing alternative world, populated by sinister beings, this is a dark and compelling novel.

Fans of Philip Pullman’s sophisticated fantasy will love Juman Malouf’s intricate, strange world of urchin children in a shadowy world full of evil cats, mysterious spheres, circus performers and a remarkable cast of ragtag characters.

Fifty warriors partake in a competition to decide which of them will rule the kingdom. An enthralling graphic novel packed with magic, adventure, and action.

Moss has always believed that the island she lives on is all that is left, after the great floods have swallowed the world. But a new arrival forces her to question all that she has ever known and loved. Lyrical and dreamlike, this is a unique and beautiful novel. 

The first book of a fantasy adventure series set in contemporary Nigeria, this book is full of jeopardy, juju and mythical monstrosities. 

In Patrick Ness’ amazing homage to Moby Dick, the worlds of ocean and sky are upturned, and it’s a whale that tells her version of the story of hunter and hunted. The writing is as beautiful as you might expect and the illustration is exceptional. 

Set in an alternative post-World War II, a shape-shifting death camp survivor tries to win a cross-continent race in order to kill Adolf Hitler.

Real and supernatural threats mingle as a girl saved from a shipwreck tries to find justice for her dead parents. Romance and magic combine with a powerful setting and subject to make a unique, enjoyable read for teens.

Elin’s mother has a very special job – caring for the magical Toda which protect their kingdom. But when something goes wrong, Elin must flee and discovers an astonishing talent for communicating with creatures. A sophisticated fantasy that will have teen readers gripped.

The final Terry Pratchett novel shows there is something menacing in the air, change is coming and the veil between worlds is dangerously thin. Tiffany Aching knows she must be ready for whatever battle is ahead but with all her new found responsibilities she has no time to prepare for the fight.

Malcolm is drawn into a dangerous world of secrets and intrigue – and a mission to protect baby Lyra, whatever the cost. La Belle Sauvage gives readers a not-to-be-missed chance to be back in the world of His Dark Materials: full of peril, magic and thrills. 

This is the first book in a new fantasy thriller series characterised by thwarted love, fraud, trickery and a ruthless battle for power. Startling plot twists will keep you gripped until the last page and impatient for the next instalment.

Magic has been gone from the world for years, destroyed by a vengeful king. Zelie joins forces with a rebel princess to bring it back and save her people from domination. Adeyemi has created a thrilling rollercoaster ride of a book.