In the world of books, the month of March is known for reading and advertising middle-grade books. Even though middle-grade books are usually targeted towards 8-12 year olds, they are stories that people of all ages can enjoy.
I really love to read middle-grade books along with young adult books and adult books. If you are looking for a book that is not so heavy, I highly recommend giving middle-grade a try. You might be surprised with the outcome.
Don’t be fooled, middle-grade books might be an easier reading level, but they still have the potential to be emotional and moving. Here is a list of 10 middle-grade fantasy books for you to check out during the month of March or anytime of the year!
I have another post on middle-grade book recommendations that you can read if you want to learn about more middle-grade books.
1. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie Foster is a senior in high school. She also happens to only be 12 years old which means she doesn’t fit in very well. Her ability to read minds sets her apart even more. Sophie is on a school field trip when Fitz, a mysterious and good looking boy, comes to talk to her and she finds out that he can read minds too.
The reason Sophie feels like she doesn’t belong is because she doesn’t. She is an elf and doesn’t belong in the human world. Fitz brings Sophie to the Lost Cites, the home of the elves, and Sophie is forced to leave her family and everything she has known behind and adjust to this new world.
It turns out that Sophie’s whole existence is a mystery and she has to find out what her true identity is and why she was hidden in the human world. This is an a great series to get into because it currently has 9 books with 9.5 coming soon. If you love the first book, you can rest assured knowing that there are plenty more stories of Sophie and her friends.
2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow is cursed all because of her birthday falling on Eventide. This means that everyone immediately blames Morrigan whenever anything bad happens in her town. It also means that she is fated to die on her 11th birthday.
Before this can happen, Jupiter North comes and whisks her away to a magical land where she is to go through a series of trials to be accepted into the Wondrous Society. I absolutely love this series and could not recommend it enough.
3. Wings Of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
Clay is among the 5 dragons who are destined to end the war. The young dragons were raised in secret by the Talons of Peace under a mountain after the mysterious prophecy was told. When one of the dragons are threatened, Clay and his friends decide to escape.
Maybe they can break free and save the world at the same time. If you love dragons, then you should check out this book. They are short reads and the series is 15 books long at the moment so it will be easy to get sucked in. I recommend this series if you read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and are looking to try out middle-grade.
4. The House At The Edge Of Magic by Amy Sparkes
Nine is an orphan and a skilled pickpocket. She steals a tiny house from a woman’s purse, knocks on the door, and watches it grow into a huge house. When she goes inside she finds a host of magical and funny characters who were put on a spell.
They are desperate for Nine to break the spell and, in turn they offer a new life for Nine. This book sounds so wholesome and magical. It’s short and perfect to read for middle-grade March. Not to mention the cover is beautiful.
5. The Dragon and the Girl: True North by Laura Findley Evans
This is another book to read if you love dragons. Eliana was told that all the dragons in the kingdom were killed half a century ago. She believed this until she came face-to-face with a dragon one morning.
The dragon’s father is missing and Eliana vows to help. They go to the king for help only to realize that the king has many problems of his own. The kings treasure is missing and now Eliana has to find it before the king’s next payment is due or else the kingdom will be lost.
6. The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Janner and his siblings are loved well by their noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. The Fangs of Dang has crossed the dark sea to rule with malice and the gifted siblings hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather.
7. The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi
Yara’s mother passes away leaving a letter behind with a strange set of instructions. She is to travel off the map to Zehaira, a world full of magic. But the land is not as it used to be as magic is outlawed and the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a scheme. Yara must summon her courage to find out the truth of her mother’s past and her own true identity.
8. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Peter rescued Pax when he was a kit and they have been inseparable ever since. Then Peter’s dad enlists in the military and Peter is forced to release Pax into the wild. Peter knows that he needs to be with Pax so he goes on an adventure to be reunited with Pax. While Peter hunts for Pax, Pax goes on many adventures of his own. This is an inspiring and lovable book that can be enjoyed by all ages.
9. When You Trap A Tiger by Tae Keller
Lily and her family just moved in with her sick grandmother when a magical tiger right out of Korean folktale showed up. The tiger tells Lily that she has to unravel a secret family history.
Her grandmother stole something from the tigers and Lily is offered a deal to get it back. If she brings back what was stolen, the tiger will heal her grandmother. Making deals with a tiger is risky and Lily must find her voice and the courage to face a tiger.
10. The Castle of Tangled Magic by Sophie Anderson
Olia’s parents are the owners of Castle Mila. It is a magical castle with countless rooms that appear and disappear at random. Olia is the only one that can access all the rooms since she seems to have a special bond with the castle.
Then a mysterious storm comes and wraps around the castle. Olia is pushed down a secret passage in the castle that she’s never been down before. The passage leads to a place where the castle’s secrets are hidden and the answer to who is trying to destroy it.