Fantasy books for 9+
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.
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Nura and the Immortal Palace
Author: M T Khan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11
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Nura and the Immortal Palace
Author: M T Khan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11
A thrilling, magical adventure following a girl’s journey from modern Pakistan into the enchanted land of the jinn. It highlights …
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Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Author: A. F. Steadman
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Author: A. F. Steadman
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
This compelling fantasy adventure, the first in an epic series, is a gripping read. With imaginative characters and an exhilaratin…
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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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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
In this leftfield comic fantasy novel, 12-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that the Greek gods of Olympus are alive and living in …
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Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
Author: Maple Lam
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 7+
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Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
Author: Maple Lam
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 7+
Sun Wukong, legendary monkey king and warrior, faces an ancient evil which threatens the world. Join him on a wild and comical adv…
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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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Evenfall: The Golden Linnet
Author: Alexander Armstrong
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Evenfall: The Golden Linnet
Author: Alexander Armstrong
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
Sam must battle against the forces of evil to discover his true power as the destined leader of a secret society of storytellers i…
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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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Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons
Author: Abi Elphinstone Illustrator: Kristina Kister
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons
Author: Abi Elphinstone Illustrator: Kristina Kister
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
A cracking fantasy adventure featuring devious baddies, a golden flying bathtub, a host of magical creatures, a conspiratorial tea…
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Author: Kelly Barnhill
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10+
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Author: Kelly Barnhill
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10+
When babies are left in the forest as an offering, the witch Xan protects them and feeds them on starlight. But one day, Xan feeds…
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In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen
Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen
Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
When Ysolde’s sister is kidnapped, to get her back Ysolde strikes an impossible bargain with the terrifying Wolf Queen. An immersi…
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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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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces
Author: Carlos Sánchez
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 7+
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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces
Author: Carlos Sánchez
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 7+
Chiri and Dai discover a hidden world filled with secrets and magic. After discovering their own hidden powers, the pair team up w…
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Asha and the Spirit Bird
Author: Jasbinder Bilan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Asha and the Spirit Bird
Author: Jasbinder Bilan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
Asha’s quest across India to find her father brings her into danger before love, faith and friendship finally provide a happy endi…
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Amari and the Night Brothers
Author: B B Alston
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Amari and the Night Brothers
Author: B B Alston
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
Amari is a scholarship student at a supernatural summer school, investigating magical crimes as she tries to solve the mystery of …
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Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters
Author: Ciannon Smart
Interest level: 12+
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Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters
Author: Ciannon Smart
Interest level: 12+
Reading age:
A complex and sinuous fantasy adventure set in a world of monsters where being bad isn’t just good, it’s compulsory.
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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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