Best Fantasy Books for Girls (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A girl who has just finished a favorite series wants her next fantasy, so this guide to the best fantasy books for girls compares picks by listed reading age, grade level, page count and series. We compared each Amazon listing’s title, author, publisher, page count, reading age, grade level and description, so you can match a book to the reader in front of you.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Ella Enchanted by Levine	9.8/10	Buy
2	A Tale of Magic by Colfer	9.7/10	Buy
3	True North by Evans	9.7/10	Buy
4	Dragon Girls Box Set by Mara	9.6/10	Buy
5	Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon by Mara	9.4/10	Buy

1

Ella Enchanted by Levine

Gail Carson Levine·9.8/10 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 girl born under a curse to obey every order sets out to break it, a good fit for readers who like a bold heroine and fairy-tale fantasy.

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Pros

• The listing states it won a Newbery Honor, and the description calls it a fairy-tale retelling
• Grade level 3 to 7 and a reading age of 9 to 12 years both cover a middle grade reader
• Book 1 of 4 gives a clear place to start if the reader wants the series

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Published July 16, 1998, so it is older than the other picks
• Its quest includes ogres, giants and wicked stepsisters, which some younger readers may find tense

2

A Tale of Magic by Colfer

Chris Colfer·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 girl who learns she is a fairy is enrolled in a magic academy in this boxed set of three books, for readers who want a long fantasy.

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Pros

• Three titles named in the description come in one paperback boxed set
• The lead character, Brystal, is a girl who discovers she has magic, which fits a girl-led fantasy
• Grade level 3 to 7 and a reading age of 9 to 11 years both sit in the middle grade range

Cons

• The 1488 pages cover the whole set, a long commitment for a reluctant reader
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The description mentions a sinister plot and a correctional facility, which younger readers may find intense

3

True North by Evans

Laura Findley Evans·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 girl who finds a young dragon in the forest agrees to help search for its missing father and a lost kingdom treasure.

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Pros

• The main character is a twelve-year-old girl, which suits readers who want a girl lead
• The listed reading age of 8+ covers a middle grade reader, though it is marked as from customers
• At 368 pages it is a substantial read for a confident reader

Cons

• Book 1 of 2, so the story continues in a second book
• No grade level is stated, and the reading age is marked as from customers
• The description mentions dragons being killed and people and dragons perishing, so a sensitive reader may want to preview it

4

Dragon Girls Box Set by Mara

Maddy Mara·9.6/10 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 ›

Six books in one box follow girls who turn into dragons in a magic forest, a fit for younger readers who enjoy dragon fantasy.

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Pros

• Six books in one box, covering the Glitter Dragons and Treasure Dragons story arcs
• The girls can soar above the treetops and breathe magical fire, a direct fit for readers who want girl dragon heroes
• The 864 pages are split across six books, so each story stays short

Cons

• Reading age of 7 to 8 years, marked as from customers, sits below middle grade
• Part of a 22-book series, so the box covers only the first six
• The description centers on dragons and a magic forest, so readers who want realistic fiction should skip it

5

Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon by Mara

Maddy Mara·9.4/10 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 first Dragon Girls book, where three girls learn they can become dragons, suits readers who want one volume before a box set.

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Pros

• A single 144-page volume is a short commitment for a reader trying the series
• The listing states an Accelerated Reading Level of 4.2 in its description
• Book 1 of 22 makes it clear where the series begins

Cons

• Book 1 of 22, so a reader who enjoys it faces a long series
• Reading age of 6 to 9 years, marked as from customers, sits younger than middle grade
• Covers only dragons and a magic forest, so it suits fans of that setting only

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More picks to compare

• Naomi Rainbow Glitter Dragon by MaraFor girls who want a dragon fantasy in the Dragon Girls series.Check 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 where one is given. All five picks list a reading age, and four also list a grade level; True North gives no grade level. 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 books for girls

Match the reading age to the reader

Ella Enchanted lists 240 pages and a reading age of 9 to 12 years, marked as from customers, while the Dragon Girls box set lists 864 pages across six books with a reading age of 7 to 8 years. Page count alone does not show difficulty, so check the grade level and reading age together. Readers who want more options by level can browse fantasy books for elementary students.

Know how long the series runs

Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon is Book 1 of 22, so a reader who enjoys it faces a long series. True North is Book 1 of 2, a shorter commitment, and the Dragon Girls box set covers Books 1 to 6 in one purchase.

Check the edition and format

The Ella Enchanted listing shows a Reprint edition with a 1998 publication date, so check the edition line before buying. A Tale of Magic is a paperback boxed set, so confirm the contents on its listing before ordering. For more girl-focused picks, see best books for girls.

Before you buy

• Check the format: A Tale of Magic is a paperback boxed set, and the Dragon Girls listing is a box set of Books 1 to 6.
• For a series, confirm the series number: Ella Enchanted is Book 1 of 4, and Azmina is Book 1 of 22.
• Compare the grade level and reading age with the reader, since several reading ages are marked as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start the Dragon Girls series?

Start with Azmina the Gold Glitter Dragon, listed as Book 1 of 22. The Dragon Girls Box Set covers Books 1 to 6 if the reader wants more in one purchase.

What age does Ella Enchanted suit?

The listing gives grade level 3 to 7 and a reading age of 9 to 12 years, marked as from customers. Use the grade level as a starting point and check the description for themes.

Which edition of Ella Enchanted should a buyer check?

The listing states a Reprint edition published July 16, 1998. Check the edition line before ordering, since it is the oldest title on this list.

Still deciding? Our top pickElla Enchanted by Levine

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Related lists

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

More lists: fantasy books for children, fantasy books for kids and chapter books for girls.