If your kids have read and enjoyed C.S. Lewis's classic series, The Chronicle of Narnia, they will enjoy the titles on this list of books featuring magical and fantastical tales.
Lewis's series begins with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in which readers are introduced to Pevensie siblings and their adventures with talking beasts, mythical creatures and the fight between good and evil. Similar themes, along with time travel, portals to other worlds, and moral conundrums run through the books on this list of books like Narnia.
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The House of Arden, by E. Nesbit. Edred and Elfrida Arden are the heirs to Arden Castle, and just before he turns 10, Edred becomes Lord Arden, but he won't inherit the missing fortune unless he finds it before his birthday. The siblings set off on a time traveling adventure to find the treasure. Edred and Elfreda squabble like normal siblings and a grouchy magical creature, Mouldiwarp adds a quirky touch to this fun tale.
Bed-Knob and Broomstick (series) by Mary Norton. Full confession: I adored this movie when I was a kid and it wasn't until many years after seeing the film that I read the book. You are probably familiar with the premise: three siblings in possession of a magical bed-knob travel through time and space. Like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the real world backdrop of the movie is World War II, but that's not a feature of the book. The Price children are visiting their aunt and discover that the neighbor is a witch. The witch buys their silence with the magic token and the children set off in hopes of finding their mother. The book is quite different from the movie and quite delightful and full of old-fashioned, gentle fun. It is also a fun read aloud.
Carbonel: The King of Cats (series) by Barbara Sleigh. Young Rosemary buys a second hand broom and a cat at the market. At first it seems like it was a foolish purchase, but things are not always as they seem! The new cat turns out to be royalty! Rosemary and her friend, John, get caught up in an adventure and mystery in their quest to break the witch's spell. I discovered this book as an adult, thanks to the New York Review Children's Collection, which republishes lesser known classic gems. I would have adored it as a kid.
Mio, My Son by Astrid Lindgren. I was quite ecstatic to discover that Astrid Lindgren had a few books I'd never read. This one is lovely book about 9-year-old adoptee Karl Anders Nilsson, who dreams that his real father is a king. Then one day he finds himself in Farawayland, where his father actually is the king! But the evil Sir Kato has kidnapped the children, and Mio and his friend Pompoo must stop him.
Storybound (series) by Marissa Burt. In the land of Story, kids go to school in order to learn their rôle, such as hero, or villain, or sidekick. But their way of life is disturbed when Una, a seemingly ordinary girl from the ordinary world drops -- or rather, she is written in–into Story. Una, her new friends, Peter and Snow, must unravel the plot twists of the mystery of why she is there.
The Blue Sword (series) by Robin McKinley. This Newbery honor book (and Newbery award winner) is an elaborate fantasy with a strong female protagonist. I love author Robin McKinley's books and any kid who is a fan of fantasy or science fiction will gobble up McKinley's books.
Story Thieves (series) by James Riley. When Owen discovers his new friend Bethany is half-fictional and has the ability to jump into books, he convinces her to take him into his favorite book. Even though Bethany is adamant that Owen be very careful not to change any part of the story, he secretly decides to try and affect the outcome of the plot by thwarting the villian, thereby winning himself glory with his peers. As you can imagine, such a disruption sets in motion a serious of chaotic and potentially disastrous events!
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet) by Madeline L'Engle. This classic series hardly needs an introduction. Meg Murry's father has gone missing so she, her brother Charles Wallace, and a friend, Calvin O'Keefe, go on an incredible journey through space and time in hopes of rescuing him.
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald is a gem from 1872. C.S. Lewis sited MacDonald as an influence on his work. Eight-year-old Princess Irene is lonely. One day when she is out wandering she meets an mysterious woman who turns out to be her great-great grandmother. In the nearby mountains, a boy, Curdie, overhears plans by the goblins to flood the mine. The stories of Curdie, Irene and her great-great grandmother converge as Curdie travels to the goblin's domain and Irene finds him with the help of a magical thread. The story contains themes of courage and faith and thankfully, despite the book's age, the heroine is a strong one.
I read The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards out loud to the kids and both boys (ages 9 and 5) absolutely loved it. Three siblings travel to a magical land with the help of their "scrappy caps" and a wise Professor. Along the way they meet fantastical creatures, some of whom do not want them to arrive at their destination.
Half Magic (series) by Edward Eager. This classic series should be read by everyone. A group of siblings discover a coin that grants only half a wish. The children must work together to make complete wishes and then navigate the unexpected outcomes. Delightful.
The Castle in the Attic (series) by Elizabeth Winthrop. The idea of a miniature castle coming to life was irresistible to me as a kid. William’s housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips gives him a model castle set but things go awry when Mrs. Phillips is shrunk down to the size of the castle and William must shrink himself down to rescue her. Dragons, wizards, magic forests and knights make this a wonderful fantasy quest kids who love Narnia will also enjoy.
Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones. Jones wrote loads of fantasy novels and you might recognize the title of this one because it was made into a successful animated movie. However, it’s such a captivating book, don’t limit yourself to the film version. Young Sophie is transformed into an old woman by The Witch of Waste and the only way to break the spell is to seek out the Wizard Howl in his bizarre moving castle.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (series) by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. This well-loved series has everything you need for a great fantastical story: mystery, magical creatures, and lots of fun. It was also turned into a movie that's great to watch with kids.
The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials Trilogy) by Philip Pullman. Interestingly, Pullman dislikes Lewis's works, but there's no reason why we can't appreciate both authors! Two kids, Lyra and Will, cross parallel universes in a world where their souls (for lack of a better word) exist outside of their bodies as animal companions. The plot is complex and is heavily involved with philosophy and theology. It is a fantastic trilogy and I recommend it for ages 11 and up.
Half Upon a Time by James Riley is the first book in a clever trilogy staring Jack, the son of "Jack of the Beanstalk" fame. Jack, firmly rooted in fairy tale world is trying to restore his family's good name when suddenly May, a "punk princess" with a cell phone, falls from the sky. It turns out May's grandmother is Snow White and the two pair up to rescue the kidnapped grandma. Riley brings in material from several familiar fairy tales to create a story that is more of a fractured fairy tale than a retelling per se. But all three books are tons of fun, with humor, and clever plot twists.
More book lists that include books for kids who like The Chronicles of Narnia:
Sarah Hartman says
Pullman doesn't like Lewis because Pullman hates Lewis's christian theology. Pullman is explicitly anti-Christian in his novels. I've read them, and I think he's an amazing writer, but I disagree emphatically with the philosophy and view of the world he is trying to make attractive. I personally would not introduce those books to my children until they are older highschool and in the stage where they can analyze and discern the difference between plot and philosophy behind plot.
From the WP article interviewing Pullman: "Just a short walk away from the Pullmans' house is the grave of another Oxford master of fantasy: J.R.R. Tolkien. Comparisons, notes Pullman with a heavy sigh, are inevitable. There's the Oxford connection, and the invented worlds, and both Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and "His Dark Materials" consist of one (very) long story in three volumes. But Pullman insists the similarities stop there. "What I'm doing is utterly different," he says. "Tolkien would have deplored it."
So, too, would have another famous Oxford fantasy writer, C.S. Lewis, a devout Christian whose children's series "The Chronicles of Narnia" exemplified his religious convictions. "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief," says Pullman. "Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil's work.""
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/02/19/the-last-word/4bad376f-4ab7-441c-9c50-afc7e63dd192/?utm_term=.da39a05f353a
Jessica Sager says
It could also be said that Lewis, and enthusiasts, are trying to undermine the basis of secular, perhaps humanist belief. So there’s a little bit for everyone. I wouldn’t discourage younger kids from reading it specifically over the concern that they can’t analyze its intents. Middle schoolers, or even older elementary kids who developed reasoning skills earlier than most (mom of one of those kids right here) could benefit from a shared discussion with parents or others, if you’re concerned about it. Be careful not to be blind to your own bias!
Tiffany says
Inkheart is another amazing series for fantasy lovers. It remains one of my all time favorite middle grade series. There are definitely moments of intensity that a sensitive kiddo on the younger end of middle grade might not quite be ready for, but I highly recommend it! We’re also enjoying the 100 Cupboards series & The Wingfeather Saga (though we haven’t finished them yet).
Erica says
Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Rylee says
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I am 24 and have been trying to remember the name of a book that was read to my class in the second grade. I have been searching for a book about “whatchamacallits” on and off for years each time I would remember and try to find the book. The word I have been looking for is Whangdoodle! I am very excited to finally read it again.