TL;DR: The Quick List If you’re looking to move past the Wizarding World, here are the top fantasy series to keep your kids reading as they grow:
- Ages 6-9: Dragon Masters — Perfect for early readers who want magic without the nightmares.
- Ages 8-12: Percy Jackson & The Olympians — The gold standard for middle-grade snark and adventure.
- Ages 9-13: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow — The closest thing to that "first time reading Harry Potter" feeling.
- Ages 10-14: Wings of Fire — Dragons, politics, and surprisingly deep lore.
- Ages 12+: The Hunger Games — For when they’re ready for high stakes and social commentary.
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We’ve all been there. You finish the last page of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with your kid, and there’s this palpable "now what?" silence. You’ve spent months (or years) in that world, and everything else feels a little... thin.
Fantasy is often the "gateway drug" to a lifelong reading habit. It’s where kids learn about heroism, empathy, and the fact that adults don’t always have the answers. But the jump from a talking mouse to a dystopian rebellion is huge. If you give an 8-year-old The Hunger Games, you’re looking at weeks of "can this actually happen?" anxiety. If you give a 13-year-old Magic Tree House, they’ll roll their eyes so hard they might see their own brain.
The goal is to find series that grow with them—books that start whimsical and safe but gradually introduce the complex, messy reality of being a human (or an elf).
At this stage, we’re looking for "high interest, low frustration." Your kid is likely still mastering the mechanics of reading, or they’re listening to you read aloud before bed. They want magic, but they don't want the protagonist’s parents to die in the first chapter (looking at you, Disney).
This series is a powerhouse for a reason. The chapters are short, the illustrations are plentiful, and it hits that "special kid chosen for a big task" trope that children absolutely eat up. It’s essentially the Pokemon of chapter books. It’s not Shakespeare, but it builds the "I can finish a whole book" confidence that is crucial at this age.
If your kid prefers knights and fairies over dragons, this is the one. It’s incredibly gentle. The stakes are usually "find the lost jewel" rather than "save the world from eternal darkness." It’s a great way to introduce the concept of a "map in the front of the book," which we all know is the hallmark of true fantasy.
This is the golden age of fantasy. This is where the humor gets sharper, the world-building gets deeper, and the characters start to feel like real friends.
If your kid hasn't started Percy yet, start today. Rick Riordan figured out the secret sauce: take ancient mythology, move it to modern-day New York, and give the protagonist ADHD and dyslexia (which turn out to be signs of being a demigod). It’s funny, it’s fast-paced, and it’s genuinely educational. By the time they finish the first five books, they’ll know more about Greek myths than you do. Parent Tip: If they finish these, there are about 400 other books in the "Riordanverse" covering Roman, Norse, and Egyptian myths.
I will shout about this series from the rooftops. It follows Morrigan, a "cursed" child who is whisked away to a magical city. It has that whimsical, slightly weird British vibe (think Roald Dahl meets Harry Potter). The world-building is spectacular—giant talking cats, magical hotels, and a "Wunderground" transit system. It deals with belonging and identity in a way that feels very relevant to pre-teens.
Don't be fooled by the "it's just about dragons" covers. This series is a political thriller for 10-year-olds. It covers war, prophecy, and complicated family dynamics. Kids love it because it treats them like they’re smart enough to handle a complex plot. Warning: there is some "dragon-on-dragon" violence, so if your kid is particularly sensitive to animals getting hurt, maybe skim the first one first.
Check out our guide on why kids are obsessed with Wings of Fire
This is the hardest transition. They’re "over" kids' books but not quite ready for the "adult themes" (read: graphic romance and gore) found in modern YA. We call this "Upper Middle Grade."
Yes, it’s dark. Yes, kids fight each other. But The Hunger Games is a masterclass in teaching media literacy and social justice. If your kid is starting to ask questions about the news or why the world is unfair, Katniss Everdeen is a great conversation starter. It’s the perfect series to read with them so you can talk about the heavy stuff.
In a world where death has been "cured," certain people (Scythes) are tasked with "gleaning" (killing) people to keep the population in check. It sounds grim, but it’s a brilliant philosophical look at morality. It’s "Fantasy-Lite" (more sci-fi), but it appeals to that same sense of wonder and world-building that fantasy fans love.
Once they hit high school, fantasy often shifts into two camps: Epic Political Fantasy or "Romantasy."
The "Grishaverse" is a Russian-inspired fantasy world that is incredibly lush and atmospheric. It has magic, but it also has muskets and class warfare. It’s a great step up for kids who loved the "chosen one" trope in Harry Potter but want something more sophisticated.
A Note on "BookTok" and "Spice"
If you have a teen on TikTok, they have likely seen books like A Court of Thorns and Roses or Fourth Wing. Heads up: These are often marketed as "Young Adult" but are actually "New Adult." They contain explicit sexual content. There’s no judgment here—every family has different boundaries—but just know that "fantasy book with a pretty dragon on the cover" doesn't always mean "safe for a 13-year-old."
Learn how to check if a book is "spicy" before your teen buys it
You might be wondering why a digital wellness assistant is talking about paper books. Here’s the "Screenwise" take: Reading is the ultimate "slow-dopamine" activity.
In a world of Skibidi Toilet and 15-second TikTok loops, a fantasy series requires a kid to sustain attention, build a mental map of a world, and empathize with characters over hundreds of pages. It’s the perfect antidote to "brain rot."
Furthermore, many of these series have massive online communities. Whether it's Roblox role-playing servers for Wings of Fire or fan art on Pinterest for Percy Jackson, these books often drive their digital habits in a more creative, community-focused direction.
If you have a "reluctant reader" who would rather play Minecraft than pick up a book, try the audiobook.
- Ages 6-10: The Dragon Masters audiobooks are great for car rides.
- Ages 10+: Stephen Fry or Jim Dale narrating Harry Potter is a rite of passage. Listening to a story activates the same parts of the brain as reading it. If they’re "reading" with their ears while building a castle in Minecraft, that’s still a win in our book.
Fantasy isn't just about escapism; it's about giving kids a sandbox to play with big ideas.
- Start small and whimsical. Don't rush the "dark" stuff.
- Follow their interests. If they love animals, go with Wings of Fire. If they love humor, go with Percy Jackson.
- Read the first chapter with them. Sometimes they just need a little "on-ramp" to get into the world.
- Watch the adaptation together. Many of these are now shows on Netflix or Disney+. Use the "read the book, then we watch the movie" rule—it works every time.
- Take the Screenwise Survey: Understand how books and media fit into your family's specific routine.
- Visit the Library: Let them pick out three different "Book 1s" and see which one sticks.
- Ask your kid: "If you could have any superpower from a book, what would it be?" Their answer will tell you exactly which series to buy next.
Ask our chatbot for more fantasy series recommendations for your specific age group