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Quick answer: If you loved Fablehaven, try Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star, Dragonwatch, The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Keeper of the Lost Cities. Each one combines a hidden magical world, brave siblings or friends and plenty of creatures and danger.
Brandon Mull's first Fablehaven novel follows siblings Kendra and Seth, who discover that their grandparents' estate is a secret preserve for magical creatures, from fairies to trolls to demons. When Seth breaks the rules on Midsummer's Eve, dark forces are unleashed. Kids love its creatures, its humor and its sibling teamwork. These books share the same sense of hidden magic and adventure.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | kids who want more Fablehaven |
| Dragonwatch | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | kids who finished Fablehaven |
| The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide | Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black | 7-11 | younger readers |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | kids who like mythology |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J. K. Rowling | 8-12 | kids who like magic |
| Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger | 9-13 | kids who like hidden worlds |
| The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell | Chris Colfer | 9-12 | kids who like fairy tales |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | 9-12 | kids who like magical cities |
| The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | 9-13 | kids who like puzzles |
| Artemis Fowl | Eoin Colfer | 10-14 | kids who like clever heroes |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C. S. Lewis | 8-12 | kids who like classic fantasy |
| Beyonders: A World Without Heroes | Brandon Mull | 10-14 | kids who want more Mull |
| Amari and the Night Brothers | B. B. Alston | 9-13 | kids who like secret bureaus |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-13 | kids who love dragons |
| The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones | Rick Riordan | 8-12 | kids who like treasure hunts |
1. Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth face a secret society that wants to open the preserves.
Best for: kids who want more Fablehaven.
2. Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
The sequel series brings dragons and new threats.
Best for: kids who finished Fablehaven.
3. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Three siblings discover a guide to fairies.
Best for: younger readers.
4. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
A boy learns he is the son of a Greek god.
Best for: kids who like mythology.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
A boy goes to wizard school.
Best for: kids who like magic.
6. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie discovers she is an elf.
Best for: kids who like hidden worlds.
7. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a world of fairy tales.
Best for: kids who like fairy tales.
8. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
A cursed girl joins a magical society.
Best for: kids who like magical cities.
9. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Gifted kids go undercover.
Best for: kids who like puzzles.
10. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A boy mastermind kidnaps a fairy.
Best for: kids who like clever heroes.
11. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Siblings enter Narnia through a wardrobe.
Best for: kids who like classic fantasy.
12. Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
A boy falls into a world ruled by an evil emperor.
Best for: kids who want more Mull.
13. Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston
A girl joins a supernatural bureau.
Best for: kids who like secret bureaus.
14. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five dragonets are destined to end a war.
Best for: kids who love dragons.
15. The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
Siblings race around the world for clues.
Best for: kids who like treasure hunts.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Fablehaven: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
Continue with the five Fablehaven books, then the Dragonwatch sequel series. For more hidden magic, try Spiderwick, Keeper of the Lost Cities or The Land of Stories. Kids who love mythology should pick Percy Jackson. If your child enjoyed the sibling teamwork, The 39 Clues and The Mysterious Benedict Society both have kids working together to solve big problems. For more Mull, read Beyonders.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Fablehaven for?
It is usually recommended for ages 9 to 13.
How many Fablehaven books are there?
There are five in the main series, followed by the five-book Dragonwatch series.
Is Fablehaven scary?
It has some scary creatures and demons, but it is suitable for most middle-grade readers.
Is Fablehaven like Harry Potter?
It shares a hidden magical world, but it is set on a nature preserve rather than a school.
Do I need to read Fablehaven before Dragonwatch?
Yes. Dragonwatch continues the story.
Is Fablehaven a good read-aloud?
Yes. It has short chapters, humor and suspense.