Best Fantasy Books for High Schoolers (2026): Picks Compared

A high schooler who has run out of familiar series often starts searching for the best fantasy books for high schoolers, and the right pick depends on reading level as much as taste. We compared each listing’s description, listed reading age, grade level, page count and series position, so you can see who each book suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	unOrdinary Vol. 2 by uru-chan	9.5/10	Buy
2	The Giver by Lowry	9.4/10	Buy
3	Monster by Myers	9.2/10	Buy
4	Island of the Blue Dolphins by O'Dell	9.2/10	Buy
5	Escape Room by Stoffels	9.2/10	Buy

1

unOrdinary Vol. 2 by uru-chan

uru-chan·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 superpowered high school series for readers 14 and up, who should begin with Volume 1 rather than this Book 2 of 4.

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Pros

• Set at a high school, and the listing gives grade 9 to 12, which matches the reader
• Grade level and reading age both point to high school, with no mismatch in the listing
• A hidden past and a conspiracy give the plot a fantasy-style premise built on superpowers

Cons

• Book 2 of 4, so the first volume comes before this listing
• The description mentions bullying and a troubled past, which parents may want to discuss first
• The listing gives 320 pages but describes the format only as a comic series, so check the preview

2

The Giver by Lowry

Lois Lowry·9.4/10 Shelf Score

i

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 dystopian Book 1 for readers who like a thoughtful story about a boy who questions an orderly community.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Newbery Medal
• Book 1 of 4 in the Giver Quartet, with companion novels named for readers who want to continue
• At 240 pages, it is a manageable length for a high school reader

Cons

• Grade level 8 to 9 sits below most high school readers, and the reading age of 10+ is marked as from customers
• Dystopian rather than magical, so readers who want a fantasy world may find it a different genre
• The description points to themes of control and conformity, which some families will want to discuss

3

Monster by Myers

Walter Dean Myers·9.2/10 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 courtroom novel told as a script, for older high schoolers who can handle a murder trial and prison themes.

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Pros

• Grade 8 to 12 and a reading age of 13 to 16 years, marked as from customers, both fit a high school reader
• A standalone book: Book 1 of 1, with no second volume to buy
• Written as a trial script, so the story moves in short scenes and dialogue

Cons

• Not fantasy: a realistic story about a murder trial, with no magic or invented world
• The description covers a murder trial and the threat of prison, so parents should check it first
• The listing is a 2001 reprint and does not say whether a newer edition exists

4

Island of the Blue Dolphins by O'Dell

Scott O'Dell·9.2/10 Shelf Score

i

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 survival story based on a true account, for a reader in grade 3 to 7 rather than a high schooler.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Newbery Medal
• 192 pages, a short length for a complete survival story
• Based on a true story, which the description states

Cons

• Grade 3 to 7 and a reading age of 8 to 11 years sit below a high school reader
• Historical survival rather than fantasy, so it fits a different reading goal
• The description describes the death of a younger brother and a struggle with wild dogs, mature themes to discuss

5

Escape Room by Stoffels

Maren Stoffels·9.2/10 Shelf Score

i

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 short thriller about a group of teens trapped in an escape room, for a reader in grade 7 to 9 rather than a high schooler.

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Pros

• The large-type edition is stated, which can help a reader who prefers bigger print
• The description describes a fast, puzzle-driven plot set in one room
• Short 224 pages with a clear, single-setting plot

Cons

• Not fantasy: a thriller about a game that may not let its players leave
• The description says the teens are held captive, which parents of younger readers may want to check
• Series position is Not stated, and grade 7 to 9 is below most high school readers

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More picks to compare

• The Sapphire Eruption by RedwrightFor readers 13 to 18 who want action fantasy with magical swords and kingdoms.Check on Amazon
• Dream Keeper Saga Set by ButlerBetter for younger readers: ages 9 to 12 per the description, with Christian themes.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 a high school reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. The grade level and reading age agree for unOrdinary and Monster, while Island and Escape Room list grades below high school. 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 high schoolers

Compare grade level with reading age

Each listing shows its levels separately, and they do not always match. The Giver lists grade 8 to 9 with a reading age of 10+, while unOrdinary lists grade 9 to 12 and 14 and up. For more fantasy grouped by age, see best fantasy books for teens.

Check whether the book is a standalone or a series

Monster is a single volume, while The Giver is Book 1 of 4 and unOrdinary is Book 2 of 4, so its first volume comes earlier. For a broader set of teen fantasy picks, see best fantasy books for young adults.

Before you buy

• Check the series number on the listing, since unOrdinary is Book 2 of 4 and The Giver is Book 1 of 4.
• Compare the listed grade level with the reader’s current grade, especially for Island of the Blue Dolphins (grade 3 to 7) and Escape Room (grade 7 to 9).
• Read the description for mature themes, which Monster, Island of the Blue Dolphins and unOrdinary all mention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start the unOrdinary series?

Start with Volume 1, because this listing is Book 2 of 4. The listing gives grade 9 to 12 and a reading age of 14 years and up.

Is The Giver a fantasy book?

It is a dystopian story about a controlled community rather than a magic story. The listing states it won the Newbery Medal, and it is Book 1 of 4 in the Giver Quartet.

Which picks suit readers below high school level?

Island of the Blue Dolphins lists grade 3 to 7, and Escape Room lists grade 7 to 9. Both fit younger readers better than a high schooler.

Still deciding? Our top pickunOrdinary Vol. 2 by uru-chan

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Related lists

See every young adult list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse books for high school, fantasy books and fantasy box sets.