Atherton House of Power by Patrick Carman. Edgar discovers the book that explains the secret of the world of Atherton. 

 

May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson (grade 4 up). May Bird jumps into death by accident, and just wants to get out. Her adorable kitty (good kitty!) is the true star of the story. Sort of 6 Flags meets The Addams Family.  

The Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum - Grade 4 and up. If you’ve only read the first book, you’re missing a lot including Princess Ozma, Jack pumpkinhead, and more Dorothy tales. 

 

Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins (grade 4 up). Gregor falls underground where giant cockroaches, bats, and strange humans beg his help.

 

Chanters of Tremaris trilogy by Kate Constable (grade 5 up). Musical sorcery and unlikely friendships enliven this intense trilogy.  

 

The Runaway Princess by Kate Coombs (grade 4 up).  When her father announces a competition, his determined daughter decides to enter.

 

Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville - Into the Land of the Unicorns is book one. Grades 3-4 and up Cara enters the land of the unicorns, not knowing if she will ever return home.

 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Grades 3-4) Charlie is a poor boy with only one dream - to win a golden ticket and visit the legendary chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. 

 

Whispering to Witches by Anna Dale (grade 4 up) This book does have a sequence with a boy on a train being attacked by witches, so of course it reminded me of HP.   

 

Delaney, Joseph Last Apprentice (series) (grade 5 up).  Tom’s apprentice to the spook; he’d better get brave.

 

So You Want to be a Wizard Series by Diane Duane (Grades 5-6 and up) Kit and Nina are two ordinary children...until one day they both discover that they are wizards. Unfortunately, this new power doesn't come with directions! 

 

Little (Grrrl) Lost by Charles deLint. This is The Doll People for older readers. If you like miniature folks with a pinch of magic, this is for you.

 

Fardell, John. 7 Professors of the Far North. Picture the Hogwarts Express, underground, and ending up in Scandinavia. And add 7 professors, one of them evil. Okay, it’s wacky, but I bought it.

 

Funke, Cornelia Inkheart, Inkspell, Dragon Rrider (grade 3 up). I’m rather addicted to Cornelia Funke, and very excited InkDeath was just published. Intricate plots with magical creatures and objects and great characters.

 

Goudge, Elizabeth The Little White Horse (grade 3 up). If you’ve ever dreamt of your own magical world set in the English countryside, this Carnegie medal classic is required reading.  

 

Hunter, Erin The Warriors series (grade 4 up). Tribes of cats abound in these ever so popular series.  

 

 

Jones, Diana Wynne - Grades 5-6 and up Howl's Moving Castle (and anything else she's written! Try The Pinhoe Egg) Sophie leads an ordinary life - until she offends a witch and gets changed into an old lady. Sophie finds freedom in her new guise by becoming the housekeeper of Howl - a wizard with a moving castle.  

 

Levine, Gail Carson Ella Enchanted and Fairest (grade 4 up)

 

Lewis, C.S. - Narnia series - Grades 3-4 and up Lucy discovers a secret world where animals talk and a white witch has declared eternal winter. Lucy and her siblings must rescue Narnia from her spell.

 

McKinley, Robin - Grade 6 and up. The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, Dragonhaven – If you like to read things that make you forget your name and your homework, Robin McKinley is the QUEEN of fantasy. Her newest book is Chalice.

 

McMullan, K.H. - Grades 2 and up Dragon Slayer's Academy – Wiglaf's off to Dragon Slayer's school but can he survive princesses, dragons, wizards and pigs who speak Pig Latin? Shorter stories for fantasy on the go.

 

Meyer, Kai The Water Mirror series (grade 4 up) Egyptian mummies attack Venice (cool.)

 

Nimmo, Jenny Charlie Bone series (grade 3 and up) Charlie leaves his moldy aunts to go to magic school.

 

Nix, Garth - Grade 6 and up Sabriel (series). Sabriel uses magical bells to bind the dead. Her cat is a grumpy creature of free magic.

 

Keys to the Kingdom (series) Pierce, Tamora - Grades 4-5 and up. Arthur is a human who gets dragged into ‘The House’ to rule its seven levels … if he can.

 

Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce.  (Alanna is the first book) Alanna wants to be a knight, but only boys can be knights. Alanna plans the biggest deception of her life.

 

Circle of Magic Series by Tamora Pierce - 4 children with strange powers: Sandry makes cloth come alive; Tris can influence the weather; Daja is in touch with metal and Briar has a great gift with plants. (Sandry’s book is the first book)

 

Protector of the Small Series (First Test is the first book) by Tamora Pierce. Keladry is the first girl ever to be admitted into the knight-in-training program at court. Except, of course, for Alanna, but she was disguised as a boy. 

 

Immortals Series (Wild Magic is the first book) by Tamora Pierce. Daine’s animal magic may save the kingdom and her new friend and wizard, Numair. 

 

Wee Free Men (series) by Terry Pratchett (grade 5 and up) – Listen to the audiobook; it’s unforgettable. The book’s not bad either (ahem).

 

Riordan, Rick The Lightning Thief series (Grade 4 and up) If you haven’t heard of this book, you must have been living under a rock, out of sight of all children for at least 3 years. Shame!

 

Sage, Angie Magyk series (grade 4 and up) Magic, siblings, and dark passages. Heaps of fun from the Heap family!

 

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (and sequels) Grades 6 up. Some books you read for the ending. This is one of them. The main character is dirty, unpredictable, scheming, and, as I said, watch out for the ending. 

 

The Strictest School in the World by Howard Whitehead  (Grade 4 up)  A boy who bounces, a girl who wants to fly, and a boarding school with magical watchdogs. The Victoria era has developed fangs. 

 

Wilce, Ysabeau Flora Segunda (Grade 5 up) Flora takes her unpredictable elevator to a long-forgotten room, discovering a magic she may not be able to control. 

 

Wrede, Patricia C. - Grades 4-5 and up. Dealing with Dragons (series) A princess runs away from home to be a cook for a dragon who loves cherries jubilee.   

 

Wizard’s Hall by Yolen, Jane - Grades 3-4 and up – Considered by many to be the first Wizard school book before the hugely popular you know what series.  

 

Savvy by Ingrid Law – Grades 4 and up – A new book about a family with Savvy – sort of magical talents – and a wild road trip.