Hi y’all!

I am excited to share a fun book list with you today. It’s been a while since I posted one of these and I’ve been thinking of several fun ideas for future ones. Lately, I read a lot with my kids and I enjoy middle grade and children’s fiction on my own. Perhaps it’s my stage of life or simply my interests now. But I am loving so much of what I’m reading lately!

Today, I want to share a few favorites for kids that have magic. Not all these are strictly fantasy novels but they all have some sort of magical element in the story. Enjoy!

The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley // I read this lovely little story recently and loved it! I definitely want to read it to my kids. Louisa must clear her father’s name with the help of a new neighbor and an unexpected magical ally. I have heard this book called a mashup of Little House on the Prairie and The Spiderwick Chronicles– I like that description!

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton // This book is absolutely delightful! Persimmony goes on a quest to prove if there is a giant sleeping under the island where she lives. And when she discovers the truth, it will take all her courage, creativity and a few magic pots to save her home! I loved the quirky characters and the clever plot of this novel.

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett // A recently favorite of ours, I read this book and its sequels to my kids after Christmas. Elmer Elevator (best protagonist name ever) goes on an adventure to free a baby dragon from Wild Island. This story is so sweet and clever. We loved the ways Elmer tricks the animals on the island and the beautiful illustrations. The sequels are quite fun too!

Half Magic by Edward Eager // One of my favorites as a kid, I read this one this past summer to my kids and we loved it. Four siblings find a magic coin that only grants wishes by half. Many fun and alarming adventures ensue! A classic and the first in a series of books about children and magic.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine // I love this Newbery Honor book and look forward to reading it with my kids when they are a bit older. Ella is given the “gift” of obedience by a fairy; and so begins a quest to rid herself of that curse and a myriad of magical adventures unfold. Not at all like the movie, but absolutely enjoyable!

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson // I loved this Newbery Medal winner when I read it a few years ago. The story of two neighbors and unlikely friends who create a magical world in the woods near their homes and forge a friendship that changes their lives. The magic is so beautiful in this novel because the children create it themselves.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley // I’ve raved about this book on my blog before. And it is still one of my all time favorite reads. Micah goes in search of a magical circus in search of a miracle for his dying grandfather. I love everything about this book especially the clever, powerful ways magic comes into the story. And there is a fantastic sequel too!

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson // This is another of my childhood favorites. It is such a fun story reminiscent of Harry Potter (although it was actually published 3 years before the first Harry Potter book!). When the prince of a magical kingdom goes missing in our world, a team of unlikely rescuers is sent here to find him and bring him home. I love this book so much and definitely want to read it aloud soon. Ibbotson has so many fun fantasy novels — I aspire to read them all!

I feel like I must also give a bonus shout out to what I like to call the big four series in magic/fantasy. Of course, if you are a novice to books with magic for kids, I recommend starting here 🙂

• Harry Potter books 1-3 are great for kids. They are a good length for read aloud and are simpler and lighter than the later books in the series. Of course, I love Harry Potter so I highly recommend them all!
• Narnia is a perfect series for readers of all ages. The stories are simple yet deep. And the magic is fantastic!
• The Hobbit is a great read for middle grade readers. And while I love The Lord of the Rings, it’s a complex and long story that might be better for older kids.
• Fablehaven and its sequel series Dragonwatch are absolutely fantastic magical adventures. I love these so much! My nephew is listening to the Dragonwatch books now and I love hearing what he thinks about them!

What are some of your favorite books with magic for kids?