It's not surprising that kids love Erin Hunter's Warrior Cats series; they are exciting adventures about rival clans of feral cats. Kids who have read every book and are eagerly awaiting the next installment can fill their reading time with these animal fantasy books like Warriors!
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Books by Erin Hunter
The Warriors series boasts more than forty books, but kids keep clamoring for more and the publisher has responded with additional series. Book series by Erin Hunter to read after Warriors:
- Survivors, an "epic dog animal adventure" series
- Seekers, an epic journey of survival starring three bears
- Bravelands, stories about animals of the African plains
- Bamboo Kingdom, after a great flood, three pandas struggle to survive
Animal Fantasy Books like Warriors
Choose the books below to satisfy your kids who love Warriors, then visit our Read Alike Book List Hub to find lists for fans of other popular series like Wings of Fire or Harry Potter.
Endling: The Last (series) by Katherine Applegate
This popular series tells the story of Byx, a "dairne," which is a dog like creature who can walk upright and glide like a flying squirrel. Thinking she may be the last of her kind after her pack has been hunted down, she goes on a quest to find a new home and search for others like her.
The Unwanteds (series) by Lisa McMann
My son loved this series. Every year, in the authoritarian country of Quill, 13-year-olds are sorted into categories according to their abilities. The artistic children, or "Unwanteds" are sent away to their deaths. This year, Alex is separated from his twin, Aaron. Aaron goes off with the Wanteds to university but Alex heads off to what he thinks is his doom. However, after he passes through "the Purge," he discovers that, instead of meeting his end, he finds himself in Artimé, a place where creativity and magic are nourished. However, war breaks out between Quill and Artimé, and the brothers are pitted against one another.
MORE: Books like Percy Jackson
The Secret of Glendunny (series) by Kathryn Lasky
A superbly crafted tale full of secrets, ghosts, friendship and important lessons. In the 15th century, beavers escaped extinction by absconding to Glendunny, a secret location in Scotland. Their survival depends on never being seen by a two-leg. However, Dunwattle is accidentally photographed and their secret is threatened. A great choice for readers who like Warriors and other animal fantasies.
Silverwing (graphic novel version/series) by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Christopher Steininger
Shade, a young bat, is separated from the other silverwing bats during the winter migration. His journey is fraught with peril. Along the way, he meets other creatures, both winged and grounded, all of which are brilliantly brought to life with Steininger's illustrations. This is the graphic novel version of the original tale; I recommend both this as well as the original series.
MORE: Big List of Middle Grade Adventure Books
Redwall (series) by Brian Jacques
In the first book of the Redwall series, a group of mice must defend themselves against the marauding rats. Our hero, Matthias, prefers peace. There is a quest for a mythical weapon, riddles to solve and journeys to go on. You know... all the stuff that goes into a rollicking fantasy adventure.
Lucky by Chris Hill
Find it: Amazon
I started reading this book, and immediately knew it would be great for a list of books like Warriors. I found the story of warring squirrel clans well-written when I handed it off to my son, he pronounced it, "great." Lucky is a red squirrel who finds himself in a community of grey squirrels, named the "Cloudfoots." Lucky must pass the Squirrel Trial in order to secure his future as a member of the clan.
MORE: Big List of Fantasy Books for Tweens
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright.
Here's a fun, tongue in cheek humorous adventure that your kids will enjoy, even though the setting is very different from that of Erin Hunter's Warriors. The ragged London alley cat, Skilley, prefers cheese to mice, and becomes friends with Pip, a reading and writing mouse who also lives at the classic London tavern, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. The friends come up against a bully cat, a cheese thief, and a wise but injured raven. Cameos by famous writers will delight parents, should they choose this book as their next read aloud.
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
Bingo and J’miah are two raccoons who descend from a long line of raccoons who are entrusted with the job of alerting the mythic Sugar Man in case of an emergency. They decide to do so when a band of feral hogs invade the swamp, their sights set on the sugarcane. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Chad is dismayed to learn that the slimy Sunny Boy Beaucoup wants to convert the swamp into Gator World Wrestling Arena and Theme Park. This is a really fun book, but the folksy narrative voice may take some kids a bit of time to get used to.
MORE: Middle Grade Animal Stories Narrated from the Animal's Point of View
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Here's a classic book for every fourth grader! Mrs. Frisby must move her children to a warmer home for the winter. But her youngest, Timothy, is sick and she needs assistance. Mrs. Frisby enlists the help of a community of rats who have been bred in a lab to have superior intelligence. Winner of the 1972 Newbery Medal.
Blue Mountain by Martine Leavitt
Find it: Amazon
Tuk, a bighorn sheep has a vision of a blue mountain. When the valley where his tribe feeds in winter grows bare and domesticated sheep bring disease, Tuk decides to lead his fellow bighorn to the blue mountain. Some are doubtful of Tuk's promise of success and stay behind, but the small group of travelers set out and traverse a path beset with predators and dangers. Tuk manages to outwit bears and wolves and lead his followers in his hero's quest. When they arrive at the blue mountain, Tuk turns back to fetch the rest of the herd. With its poetical text and interesting characters, Blue Mountain is a great read aloud to tempt Warriors fans into a slower-paced but still suspenseful animal story.
The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga series) by David A. Robertson
Morgan and Eli are Cree children living with White foster parents in Winnipeg. They feel the cultural disconnect between their living situation and their cultural ancestry. After an argument with their well-meaning but misguided foster parents, the two find solace in the attic where Eli's drawing becomes a portal to Askí, a wintery world where time passes differently (yeah, I thought of Narnia, too). In Askí, they meet Ochek, a hunter along with Arik the squirrel, and together they set out to save the Misewa community.
MORE: Books for kids who like Chronicles of Narnia
Ragweed (series) by Avi
Ragweed follows the trials and tribulations of an adventurous mouse who sets out to see the world. Along the way he meets some super cool mice living the good life. Although there is the occasional encounter with a tricky kitty! The rest of the series focuses on Ragweed's friend, Poppy.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
I haven't read this book since I was a teenager, and truthfully I can't recall all the details, but most likely you've heard of it, or read it yourself. I do remember that it is about anthropomorphic rabbits who, after a vision that their home is under threat of destruction, set out on a journey to reach a new home.
Whittington by Alan W. Armstrong
Whittington is a re-imagining of the folk tale, "Dick Whittington and His Cat." It consists of three interwoven stories. First, a descendant of the legendary Whittington wanders into a barn inhabited by a motley crew of rescued animals. Secondly, the eponymous cat tells the tale of his famous ancestor and the boy who escaped servitude in the Middle Ages. And third, Ben, the grandson of Bernie (the barn's owner), overcomes dyslexia to learn how to read.
R G says
Hi there, What a great list! Is there a print button somewhere on this page I am missing? Or do you offer your lists in pdf format also somewhere? Thank you for all you do.
Erica says
I'm afraid I don't have auto-print friendly lists.
snailmecream.ru says
Semphere—who plans to study English and economics at Smith—is already hard at work on the next book in the “Ekari” series. Here’s what else she had to say about her project.
Muria says
I recall Watership Down being a fairly violent book. I thought that might be useful for a parent who doesn't know. Watership Down, in my opinion, is for older children (or maybe I was just squeamish in middle school, but I thought the cover with the bunny in a field was misleading).
Tom Triumph says
Muria, Watership Down is a violent book--but no more so than Warriors. The difference is the writing; it's a better book in that it is deeper and more immersive than the action-packed Warriors. Thus, the action seems to have higher, more emotional stakes than the simple good/bad dynamic in Warriors. My argument would be that only students ready to immerse themselves in that world should read it; kids get bored with it when they think it will be all battles.
Let me add to this list Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland. Dragons! When my son burned out on Warriors (around the sixth series) he discovered this one.
And, if you want to go in the opposite age direction, Beast Quest got my kid to read when he wouldn't back in second grade. It's as formulaic as any early chapter book, but each book has a new "beast" and a danger that goes with it.
Erica says
Thanks for chiming in!
Beck says
We just finished "The Green Ember". EXCELLENT book with both bunnies, wolves, and fighting. My kids BEGGED for more chapters. There are three books in the series.
I would highly recommend it!!
Erica says
Thanks for the recommendation!
Hanna says
Thank you for thia amazing list! I am 13 years old, and i am reaching the end of warriors/my mom wants me to find a new series. I have decided on Watership down, Wolf Hollow, Fort, and Lucky. Thank you so much!!
Katie says
Not quite sure how you can make a whole suggestion list based off of books you have admittedly never read. How very strange.
Erica says
Very strange indeed. I can't imagine how I would ever have come up with the criteria. LOL.