Awaken Your Inner Hero with These Young Reader Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books

In a world not unlike our own, 13-year-old Skandar dreams of becoming a respected unicorn rider and competing in the Chaos Cup. You see, unicorns are very real in Skandar’s world — and in fact, they are deadly, bloodthirsty creatures who are extremely dangerous unless bonded to a rider. But shortly after Skandar bonds with his unicorn, he learns an even greater danger is afoot — and it’s up to them to stop it. This adventure of epic proportions is set to take the world by storm. 

Book two in Graci Kim’s Gifted Clans trilogy picks up a few months after the events of the first volume, with Riley navigating her new life as the Godrealm’s last fallen star. This magical story weaves seamlessly between the spirit realm and the modern world, with plenty of fast-paced action to keep young readers enthralled until the very end. 

Bestselling YA author Xiran Jay Zhao’s action-packed middle grade debut is about a boy who learns that he descends from the first emperor of China. To save the mortal realm from dangerous spirits escaping the underworld, Zachary Ying must journey across China collecting artifacts and defeating fabled figures one by one. This thrilling adventure combines history, fantasy, and myth to deliver a tale for the ages. 

For most of us, hair is just hair. But for Onyeka, her hair is the key to her psychokinetic powers. This thrilling story about a young British Nigerian girl coming into her powers as a Solari is perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. 

Arcanum Training Institute is known for celebrating magical cultural traditions from around the world, but Conjurors have never been allowed to attend. That is, until 11-year-old Ella is accepted. The Marvellers is a spellbinding tale about friendship, belonging, and self-love set against the backdrop of a magical school in the sky that is perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil. 

Amari Peters is back at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs in this long-awaited sequel to our 2021 Children’s & YA Book Award Winner, Amari and the Night Brothers. Chock full of even more twists, turns, and of course, magic, Amari and the Great Game is a must-read for fans of fast-paced fantasy tales. 

This movie tie-in edition of The School for Good and Evil is coming your way as the book comes to life on your Netflix screens! This story of two best friends living through a fairy tale and finding themselves along the way will capture readers’ hearts with its magic, adventure, and schools for heroes and villains.  

J. Elle’s whimsical middle grade debut about a 12-year-old girl who enters a baking contest to save her inner-city magic school is a sweet contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers. Young readers will eat this charming tale right up.