Best Fantasy Series for Kids (2026): Picks Compared

A reader who has just finished a fantasy book and wants the next one, or a parent choosing a first series, needs the best fantasy series for kids sorted by reading level. We compared these picks by listed reading age, grade level, page count and what each listing says is inside.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Wildwood Chronicles by Meloy	9.7/10	Buy
2	Keeper of the Lost Cities by Messenger	9.7/10	Buy
3	Dragon Masters by West	9.7/10	Buy
4	Dragonwatch by Mull	9.7/10	Buy
5	The Lion, the Witch by Lewis	9.5/10	Buy

1

Wildwood Chronicles by Meloy

Colin Meloy·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A paperback box set for readers who want a long, illustrated fantasy adventure, with a reading age of 9+ listed.

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Pros

• Over eighty illustrations per book, including maps, as the listing states
• Three books in one box, 1760 pages in total
• Grade level 3 to 6 covers a wide range of middle grade readers

Cons

• Description mentions an abduction and violent upheaval, so check for sensitive readers
• 1760 pages for three books is long for a reluctant reader
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

2

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Messenger

Shannon Messenger·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A boxed set of the first five books in a telepathy fantasy series, for readers who want them all at once.

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Pros

• The listing names all five titles in the set
• Five books in one box of 3136 pages
• Grade level 3 to 7 gives a wide range for middle grade readers

Cons

• Reading age of 10 to 12 is marked as from customers, and the grade band of 3 to 7 is wide
• Covers Books 1 to 5 only, so later titles are not in this set
• At 3136 pages, it is a large purchase for a reader who wants a single book

3

Dragon Masters by West

Tracey West·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Dragon adventures from the Branches early chapter book line, for newly independent readers who want a series in a single set.

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Pros

• Artwork on every page, in black and white, as the listing states
• Five books in one box of 480 pages, from the Branches line
• Reading age 6 to 8 and grade 1 to 3 agree with each other

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Aimed at younger readers, so a strong older reader may find it too easy
• The publisher says it boosts reading confidence, a claim the listing does not measure

4

Dragonwatch by Mull

Brandon Mull·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The sequel to Fablehaven in one boxed set, for older middle grade readers who want dragons, wizards and battles.

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Pros

• All five books of the sequel series in one boxed set
• Continues the Fablehaven world for readers who know it
• Reading age of 10+, marked as from customers, points to older readers

Cons

• Called a sequel to Fablehaven, and the listing does not say which earlier books are needed
• Battles, revenge and threats of destruction, so check for sensitive readers
• 2496 pages in one set, and a wide grade band of 3 to 8

5

The Lion, the Witch by Lewis

C. S. Lewis·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A single paperback of the Narnia fantasy, for a reader who wants a single volume before committing to the series.

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Pros

• A 224-page paperback, the shortest total page count on this list
• Book 2 of 7 in The Chronicles of Narnia, so the series position is clear
• Grade level 3 to 6 and a reading age of 6+ start with younger readers

Cons

• Published 1994, an older edition than the other picks
• Description calls it stand-alone, but the listing gives Book 2 of 7
• Description mentions a great sacrifice and a land held by a witch, a theme to preview

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More picks to compare

• The Unwanteds Quests by McMannFor ages 8 to 12 who like magic, dragons and a complete boxed seriesCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five picks list a grade level and a reading age marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy series for kids

Match the grade band to the reader

Listed grade levels run from 1 to 3 for Dragon Masters up to 3 to 8 for Dragonwatch, so the grade band is a better guide than the title alone. A reader who likes short early chapter books will fit Dragon Masters better than the 2496-page Dragonwatch set. For a long read in one purchase, see our box set books for kids list.

Check whether a series is a sequel or a set

Dragonwatch continues the Fablehaven world, and its listing calls it a sequel, so check whether earlier books are needed. Wildwood Chronicles arrives as a three-book box set. For younger readers, see our fantasy books for elementary students list.

Before you buy

• Check the format: Wildwood Chronicles, Keeper of the Lost Cities, Dragon Masters and Dragonwatch are all boxed sets, so confirm the title list on each listing.
• Check the series position: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is listed as Book 2 of 7, so read the series line before buying.
• Compare the listed grade level with the reader’s current grade, and read the description for mature themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the box sets include every book in the series?

Keeper of the Lost Cities lists Books 1 to 5 in one set, and Dragonwatch includes all five books of its sequel series. Check the listing for the titles before you buy.

What reading age do these books suit?

Dragon Masters lists a reading age of 6 to 8 years, and Dragonwatch lists 10+ years, both marked as from customers. Use the listed grade level as a starting point.

Is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a stand-alone book?

The description calls it a stand-alone novel, but the listing gives Book 2 of 7 in The Chronicles of Narnia. Check the series line before buying.

Still deciding? Our top pickWildwood Chronicles by Meloy

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Related lists

See every Middle Grade list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: fantasy books for kids, fantasy books box set and fantasy books for children.