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Quick answer: The best fantasy Books for Seventh Graders include Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Seventh graders who love fantasy are ready for bigger worlds, darker villains and heroes who have to make hard choices. These novels range from timeless classics to modern favourites, and many begin long series.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | 12+ | dragon lovers |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | 10-14 | classic fans |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | 12+ | thoughtful readers |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | 10-14 | fans of funny magic |
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | 10-13 | lyrical fantasy fans |
| Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow | Jessica Townsend | 9-13 | whimsical world fans |
| Inkheart | Cornelia Funke | 10-14 | book lovers |
| Artemis Fowl | Eoin Colfer | 10-14 | heist fans |
| Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan | John Flanagan | 10-14 | adventure fans |
| The False Prince | Jennifer A. Nielsen | 11-14 | twisty plot fans |
| Dealing with Dragons | Patricia C. Wrede | 10-14 | fans of funny fairy tales |
| The Hero and the Crown | Robin McKinley | 12+ | brave heroine fans |
| Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger | 10-14 | hidden world fans |
| Amari and the Night Brothers | B.B. Alston | 10-13 | mystery fans |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | 9-13 | magic school fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon finds a dragon egg and becomes a Rider. Recommended ages: about 12+.
Best for: dragon lovers.
2. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo joins a quest to face the dragon Smaug. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: classic fans.
3. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ged must face the shadow he released. Recommended ages: about 12+.
Best for: thoughtful readers.
4. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie is cursed and moves into a wizard's castle. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: fans of funny magic.
5. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Luna grows up with extraordinary magic. Recommended ages: about 10-13.
Best for: lyrical fantasy fans.
6. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan escapes a curse in a magical city. Recommended ages: about 9-13.
Best for: whimsical world fans.
7. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Meggie's father can read characters out of books. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: book lovers.
8. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A boy genius kidnaps a fairy. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: heist fans.
9. Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Will trains as a Ranger. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: adventure fans.
10. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
An orphan is trained to impersonate a lost prince. Recommended ages: about 11-14.
Best for: twisty plot fans.
11. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
A princess runs away to live with dragons. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: fans of funny fairy tales.
12. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Aerin becomes a dragon slayer. Recommended ages: about 12+.
Best for: brave heroine fans.
13. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie learns she is an elf. Recommended ages: about 10-14.
Best for: hidden world fans.
14. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Amari joins a secret bureau. Recommended ages: about 10-13.
Best for: mystery fans.
15. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry discovers he is a wizard. Recommended ages: about 9-13.
Best for: magic school fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For classic fantasy, start with The Hobbit and A Wizard of Earthsea. Readers who love dragons should try Eragon, Dealing with Dragons and The Hero and the Crown. For twists and intrigue, The False Prince and Artemis Fowl are page-turners.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Eragon by Christopher Paolini is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 9 to 14, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.