Magical stories (9-12)

City of Stolen Magic.jpg

These books are brilliant for older children who want to get lost in a magical journey.

There are classics and new titles, picture books and chapter books and some books containing magic realism rather than traditional fantasy.

See our list for 5-8s

See our list for teens

  • Inkheart

    Author: Cornelia Funke

    Interest level: 8+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Inkheart

    Author: Cornelia Funke

    Interest level: 8+

    Reading age: 9+

    12-year-old Meggie and her father, Mo, a bookbinder, both love reading, but since the disappearance of Meggie's mother, they no lo…

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  • City of Stolen Magic

    Author: Nazneen Ahmed Pathak Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • City of Stolen Magic

    Author: Nazneen Ahmed Pathak Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    It is 1855 and the practice of magic is being eradicated from India under British rule. Many magical folk are going missing, and w…

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  • A Pinch of Magic

    Author: Michelle Harrison

    Interest level: 9-13

    Reading age: 9+

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  • A Pinch of Magic

    Author: Michelle Harrison

    Interest level: 9-13

    Reading age: 9+

    Desperate for an adventure, Betty plans an outing to neighbouring Marshfoot on her 13th birthday. But then Granny breaks the devas…

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  • Arkspire

    Author: Jamie Littler

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Arkspire

    Author: Jamie Littler

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Juniper Bell, relic thief and trickster, needs to pretend she has magic to avoid jail. If only the strange shadowy creature she’s …

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  • The Marvellers

    Author: Dhonielle Clayton

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • The Marvellers

    Author: Dhonielle Clayton

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Ella Durant is the first Conjuror to attend the Marveller school in the sky, but not everyone is welcoming. And then her favourite…

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  • A Riddle for a King

    Author: Mark Forsyth Illustrator: Matthew Land

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • A Riddle for a King

    Author: Mark Forsyth Illustrator: Matthew Land

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    When Philo discovers a strange new world through a secret door in the grandfather clock, he embarks on an utterly bonkers, magical…

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  • A Most Improper Magick

    Author: Stephanie Burgis

    Interest level: 10-12

    Reading age: 10+

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  • A Most Improper Magick

    Author: Stephanie Burgis

    Interest level: 10-12

    Reading age: 10+

    A 21st-century take on Jane Austen's world, entertainingly viewed through the eyes of a 12-year-old heroine who discovers she has …

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  • The Last Dragonslayer

    Author: Jasper Fforde

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • The Last Dragonslayer

    Author: Jasper Fforde

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

    Times are tough for Jennifer Strange, manager of Kazam Mystical Arts - then predictions of a new Dragonslayer coming to slay the L…

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  • The Wonder Brothers

    Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • The Wonder Brothers

    Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    A funny, glitter-spangled, mystery thriller for anyone who likes a dose of danger with their magic.

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  • Marvin and the Book of Magic

    Author: Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Aleksei Bitskoff

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Marvin and the Book of Magic

    Author: Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Aleksei Bitskoff

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 7+

    When Marvin discovers a book which grants magic wishes, he decides to use it to secure a win at the school talent show. This hilar…

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  • Oksa Pollock: The Last Hope

    Author: Anne Plichota and Cendrine Wolf Translator: Sue Rose

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 11+

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  • Oksa Pollock: The Last Hope

    Author: Anne Plichota and Cendrine Wolf Translator: Sue Rose

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 11+

    The Oksa Pollock series has legions of fans all over the world, and this first installment leaves us in no doubt why.

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  • The Hidden Star

    Author: K Sello Duiker

    Interest level: 10-13

    Reading age: 10+

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  • The Hidden Star

    Author: K Sello Duiker

    Interest level: 10-13

    Reading age: 10+

    Part mystery, part quest, this book uses magic realism to tell an absorbing story about friendship and courage, which is filled wi…

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  • Twister

    Author: Juliette Forrest

    Interest level: 10-12

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Twister

    Author: Juliette Forrest

    Interest level: 10-12

    Reading age: 10+

    Twister's father has gone missing. Her mother is depressed, and people are accusing her father of starting a fatal fire. Even scho…

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  • Blackberry Blue

    Author: Jamila Gavin Illustrator: Richard Collingridge

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

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  • Blackberry Blue

    Author: Jamila Gavin Illustrator: Richard Collingridge

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

    A stunning collection of mystical fairy tales that are at once exotic and fresh, and traditionally heartening.

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  • Scales and Scoundrels

    Author: Author Sebastian Girner Illustrator: Galaad and Jeff Powell

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10-12

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  • Scales and Scoundrels

    Author: Author Sebastian Girner Illustrator: Galaad and Jeff Powell

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10-12

    Luvander and her companions go on an expedition to find The Hall of Dreaming Teasures. Their journey is like a cross between India…

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  • The Thief of Farrowfell

    Author: Ravena Guron Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • The Thief of Farrowfell

    Author: Ravena Guron Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Jude is infuriated when she realises that the rare magic she has stolen to impress her criminal family is protected by a curse. Da…

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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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