Fantasy books for 9+

Aya and the Star Chaser

Fantasy books can transport you to completely new worlds. To worlds filled with magic, mythical creatures, heroism and adventure.

The fantastical elements of these books encourage children to think creatively – to imagine themselves beyond the confines of reality. They also allow readers to explore real-life issues through unusual perspectives and allegory.

These are some of our favourite contemporary fantasy titles for readers aged 9+ to enjoy.

  • Impossible Creatures

    Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Tomislav Tomić

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Impossible Creatures

    Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Tomislav Tomić

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

    Katherine Rundell has created an incredibly real-feeling magical world and story to rival classics like Narnia, with writing that …

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  • I Am Wolf

    Author: Alastair Chisholm

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • I Am Wolf

    Author: Alastair Chisholm

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    pacy dystopian page-turner.

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  • Wolf Brother

    Author: Michelle Paver

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Wolf Brother

    Author: Michelle Paver

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    Twelve-year-old Torak sees his father murdered by a terrible demon in the form of a bear. With his dying breath, Torak's father te…

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  • Pirates of Darksea

    Author: Catherine Doyle

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Pirates of Darksea

    Author: Catherine Doyle

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    When Max answers the call to join Captain O’Malley’s pirate ship instead of his brother, who’s ill, it’s the start of a rip-roarin…

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  • Flame Chasers

    Author: Julie Pike

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Flame Chasers

    Author: Julie Pike

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Julie Pike’s writing conjures a rich, magical world full of ancient secrets and mystery. As with her widely acclaimed debut T…

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  • The Last Dragon

    Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Charis Loke

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • The Last Dragon

    Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Charis Loke

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    An encounter with a real-life dragon in Milton Keynes helps 12-year-old Yara learn who she is.  

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  • Aya and the Star Chaser

    Author: Radiya Hafiza Illustrator: Kaley McKean

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Aya and the Star Chaser

    Author: Radiya Hafiza Illustrator: Kaley McKean

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Mixing Bengali folklore with elements from classic fairytales, this coming-of-age fantasy revolves around a falling star, a young …

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  • Cogheart

    Author: Peter Bunzl Illustrations by Becca Stadtlander

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Cogheart

    Author: Peter Bunzl Illustrations by Becca Stadtlander

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 10+

    This ambitious debut is set in 1896, but in an alternative history - almost steampunk - with clockwork servants, silver airships a…

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  • Howl's Moving Castle

    Author: Diana Wynne Jones

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Howl's Moving Castle

    Author: Diana Wynne Jones

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    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…

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  • The Wizards of Once

    Author: Cressida Cowell

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • The Wizards of Once

    Author: Cressida Cowell

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Wish is a girl from a warrior tribe and Xar is a boy from a wizard tribe, living in a world loosely based on Ancient Britain at th…

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