TL;DR
If your middle-grader just finished Impossible Creatures and is currently suffering from a massive "book hangover," you aren't alone. Katherine Rundell’s epic fantasy has set a high bar for world-building and mythical beasts. To keep the momentum going, check out Skandar and the Unicorn Thief for a darker take on mythical creatures, The Dragon Prince on Netflix for epic quest vibes, or Alba: A Wildlife Adventure for kids who connected with the book's themes of conservation and animal care.
It’s rare to find a middle-grade book that feels both classic and urgent. Impossible Creatures managed to channel the "secret world" magic of The Chronicles of Narnia while adding a modern layer of ecological stakes. It’s not just about flying on a griffin; it’s about the responsibility of protecting a dying ecosystem.
If your kid is obsessed, they’re likely looking for three things in their next obsession:
- High-Stakes World Building: A world that feels lived-in and has its own rules.
- Mythical Partnerships: The bond between a human and a non-human creature.
- Moral Weight: A story where the kids' choices actually matter to the fate of the world.
Ask our chatbot for more personalized fantasy recommendations based on your kid's reading level
Forget everything you know about sparkly, rainbow-farting unicorns. In this world, unicorns are bloodthirsty, immortal monsters that must be bonded to a rider to be controlled. It’s got the same "chosen one" energy as Harry Potter but with a much grittier edge. If your kid liked the danger of the Archipelago, they’ll love the elemental magic and sky-battles here.
While this is more "urban fantasy" (set in our world but with a secret magical Bureau), it captures that sense of discovering a hidden reality. Amari is a fantastic protagonist—resilient, smart, and dealing with real-world issues like prejudice alongside magical trials. It’s a great pivot for kids who want more "secret agency" vibes.
This might seem like a curveball because it’s sci-fi, but the emotional core is identical to Impossible Creatures. It’s about the intersection of nature and "the other," the beauty of the wild, and the lengths one will go to protect a found family. It’s a bit of a shorter read, but the impact is massive.
If you think your kid is ready for something slightly more sophisticated, this is the gold standard. The concept of "daemons"—animal manifestations of a person's soul—perfectly mirrors the human-creature bonds in Rundell's work. It’s a bit more philosophical and can be dark, so maybe save this for the 11-12+ crowd.
Sometimes a book inspires a kid to want to build their own Archipelago. Instead of just more reading, these games allow them to inhabit those worlds.
This is basically "Impossible Creatures: The Video Game." The sense of discovery, the strange creatures roaming the landscape, and the feeling that you are a small person in a very old, very magical world is unmatched. It rewards curiosity in the same way a good fantasy novel does.
For the kid who was most affected by the "glimmer" and the need to save the creatures, this is a beautiful, low-stress game. You play as a young girl on a Mediterranean island documenting wildlife and cleaning up the environment. It’s "cozy gaming" with a purpose.
It’s the obvious choice, but specifically, look into "Fantasy World" seeds or mods. Many kids use Minecraft to recreate the maps they see in the front of their favorite books. It’s a digital version of playing with LEGOs, but with dragons.
This is arguably the best animated fantasy series for this age group right now. It features a rich world, diverse characters, and a plot centered around returning a dragon egg to stop a war. The world-building is deep enough that there are even tabletop RPGs based on it.
If they haven't seen it, stop everything and start it tonight. It’s the benchmark for how to do "kids saving the world" with humor, heart, and incredibly cool creature design (shoutout to Appa the flying bison).
This movie captures the nautical adventure side of Impossible Creatures. It challenges the idea that "monsters" are inherently evil and focuses on the bond between a young girl and a massive creature.
You might have heard the rumblings: Disney has officially snagged the rights to Impossible Creatures for a major live-action television series. While it’s still in the early stages of development, this is a huge win for fans.
The goal seems to be a "per-book-per-season" approach, similar to what they’ve done with Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It’s worth keeping an eye on, as it will likely spark a whole new wave of merchandise and "Archipelago" fever.
Impossible Creatures is technically categorized as "Middle Grade" (Ages 8-12), but it doesn't pull its punches. There is real grief, some fairly intense descriptions of mythical creatures being "unmade," and a sense of peril that might be a bit much for a sensitive 7 or 8-year-old.
When looking at alternatives:
- For Ages 8-9: Stick with The Wild Robot or Wings of Fire. They offer the creature fix without the existential dread.
- For Ages 10-12: Skandar and Amari are the sweet spot.
- For Ages 13+: If they loved the prose and the depth, they might be ready for The Hobbit or even Earthsea.
The "fantasy" genre is often a gateway for kids to process big feelings about the environment and their own agency in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. If your kid is leaning into these stories, they aren't just "escaping"—they're practicing for a world that needs creative problem solvers.
Don't be afraid of the "darker" elements in books like Impossible Creatures. Usually, if a kid is choosing to read it, they are ready for the themes. The beauty of a book is that the reader's mind only visualizes what it can handle.
Don't let the reading streak die! If they loved the creatures, go with Skandar. If they loved the world-saving, go with The Dragon Prince. And if they just want to feel like they're in the Archipelago, fire up Zelda.
Check out our full list of epic fantasy books for middle schoolers