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Modern Children's Fantasy Books Every Child Should Read

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Discover today’s most-loved modern fantasy books for kids—filled with magic, adventure, and life lessons.


Modern Children's Fantasy Books Every Child Should Read

What are modern children's fantasy books?


Modern children's fantasy books are works produced from the early twentieth century onward, especially those influenced by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who are credited with shaping the "Oxford School" of children's fantasy [1]. This period marks a shift from traditional fairy tales and folklore to more complex, internally consistent fantasy worlds that often reflect contemporary concerns, such as identity, nationalism, and the challenges of modernity [1, 3].


Modern children's fantasy is characterized by its engagement with both the enchantment of magical worlds and the realities of the modern era, often using fantasy as a way to address or critique social, cultural, and even colonialist ideologies [1, 3]. The genre continues to evolve, with recent works expanding beyond the original English-centric and medievalist roots to include more diverse voices and themes, while still maintaining the core elements of magic, adventure, and the journey of self-discovery [1, 2].


Modern Children's Fantasy Books Every Child Should Read


Top picks

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

A beautifully written fantasy about Luna, a child accidentally filled with magic, the witch who rescues her, and a world where fear, memory, and hope clash. Rich themes and lyrical storytelling make this a modern classic.


When 12-year-old Percy discovers he’s a demigod, he embarks on a dangerous quest filled with Greek gods, monsters, and adventure. Perfect for children who love myth, humor, and coming-of-age stories.


Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Magical curses, moving castles, and unforgettable characters: Sophie is transformed into an old woman and must seek out the wizard Howl to break the curse. A richly imaginative exploration of identity and magic.


Morrigan Crow, cursed to die on her eleventh birthday, escapes to the magical city of Nevermoor and must pass dangerous trials to join the prestigious Wundrous Society. Full of whimsy, danger, and found family.


Coraline by Neil Gaiman

A dark, atmospheric fantasy where Coraline discovers a hidden parallel world with eerie doubles and must use her courage, wit, and resourcefulness to save her family. Best for older children who like spooky fantasy.


Two best friends are kidnapped to the School for Good and Evil, where heroes and villains are trained. Themes of friendship, identity, and destiny blend with magical adventure.


The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini

A teen finds a dragon egg and is thrust into a world of war, magic, and dragons. Eragon kicks off a sweeping fantasy saga with high stakes, magical creatures, and epic landscapes.


Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

While more YA & mature, this fantasy’s beautiful prose, mythic imagination, cross-world conflict, and themes of love and identity make it a standout for older kids/tweens ready for the next step.


A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Blending fantasy with intense emotional themes, this book follows a young boy who sees a monster – both literal and metaphorical – as he navigates grief and healing. Powerful and poignant.


The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

An unlikely fantasy about a robot named Roz who survives a shipwreck and tries to live among wild animals — questioning what it means to be alive, to belong, and to adapt to nature.


References

  1. Greenwell, A. (2021). Re-Enchanted: The Rise of Children's Fantasy Literature in the Twentieth Century by Maria Sachiko Cecire (review). Children's Literature, 49, 266 - 271. https://doi.org/10.1353/chl.2021.0018.

  2. Levy, M., & Mendlesohn, F. (2016). Children's Fantasy Literature: An Introduction. .

  3. Nel, P. (2022). Re-Enchanted: The Rise of Children’s Fantasy Literature in the Twentieth Century by Maria Sachiko Cecire (review). American Literary History, 34, 1195 - 1197. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362166183_Maria_Sachiko_Cecire_Re-Enchanted_The_Rise_of_Children's_Fantasy_Literature_in_the_Twentieth_Century


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