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Quick answer: If your child loved Rowan of Rin, read Rowan and the Travellers, Deltora Quest, Ranger's Apprentice and Redwall. All are fast fantasy adventures with brave young heroes, magical creatures and big quests.
Emily Rodda's novel follows Rowan, a timid boy chosen to climb a mountain to save his village from a drying stream. It is a short, gentle fantasy about courage and teamwork. The books below offer similar quests, brave hearts and fantasy for ages 8 to 12.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan and the Travellers | Emily Rodda | 8-12 | the sequel |
| Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence | Emily Rodda | 8-12 | more Rodda |
| Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan | John Flanagan | 9-13 | apprentice stories |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | 9-13 | animal heroes |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | All ages | classic quests |
| Inkheart | Cornelia Funke | 10-14 | book lovers |
| The Neverending Story | Michael Ende | 10-14 | story magic |
| Dealing with Dragons | Patricia C. Wrede | 9-13 | brave heroines |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | 10-14 | classic fantasy |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | 10-14 | dragon adventures |
| Fablehaven | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | creature adventures |
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | 10-14 | fairy-tale depth |
| Dragon Rider | Cornelia Funke | 9-13 | gentle dragons |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-12 | dragon tribes |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | myth adventures |
1. Rowan and the Travellers by Emily Rodda
Rowan returns for another adventure in the sequel. Same charm and courage.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence by Emily Rodda
Lief and Barda seek gems to restore a magical belt. Fast quests from the same author.
Best for: more Rodda.
3. Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Will is chosen to be a ranger's apprentice and learns to fight and track. Exciting and warm.
Best for: apprentice stories.
4. Redwall by Brian Jacques
A young mouse protects an abbey from a rat army. A classic of animal fantasy.
Best for: animal heroes.
5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo joins a band of dwarves to reclaim treasure from a dragon. The classic quest.
Best for: classic quests.
6. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
A girl and her father can bring characters out of books by reading aloud. A love letter to stories.
Best for: book lovers.
7. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
A boy reads a book and is drawn into a magical land. Imaginative and big.
Best for: story magic.
8. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
A princess runs away to live with a dragon. A witty and charming classic.
Best for: brave heroines.
9. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard unleashes a shadow and must face it. A deeper fantasy for older readers.
Best for: classic fantasy.
10. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and becomes a Rider. A longer, grander adventure.
Best for: dragon adventures.
11. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth find that their grandparents' estate is a sanctuary for magical creatures. A fun series.
Best for: creature adventures.
12. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A witch accidentally feeds a baby moonlight and raises her. Won the Newbery Medal.
Best for: fairy-tale depth.
13. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
A young dragon, a boy and a brownie search for a hidden valley. Lighter and charming.
Best for: gentle dragons.
14. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are raised to end a war between tribes. Popular and fast.
Best for: dragon tribes.
15. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is a demigod. Funny and fast.
Best for: myth adventures.
How to Choose
If your child wants more Rodda, begin with Rowan and the Travellers and Deltora Quest. For quest stories with kids, pick Ranger's Apprentice, Redwall or The Hobbit. For books that celebrate stories, choose Inkheart or The Neverending Story. For dragons, try Dealing with Dragons, Dragon Rider or Wings of Fire. Older readers can try Eragon or A Wizard of Earthsea. Check ages before you buy. Short fantasies like Rowan of Rin are great for confident early readers, and they work well as read-alouds, one chapter a night. Let your child draw a map of Rowan's journey as you read. If you would like a bigger challenge for a strong reader, mix a short quest like Rowan of Rin with a longer fantasy such as Redwall, and ask which hero felt braver.
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 is Rowan of Rin about?
Rowan, a shy boy, joins a group to climb a mountain and find out why his village's stream has dried up.
Who wrote Rowan of Rin?
Emily Rodda, a pen name of Australian author Jennifer Rowe.
Is it a series?
Yes, Rowan of Rin has several sequels, and Rodda also wrote Deltora Quest.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12.
Is it a long book?
No, it is short and quick to read.
Is it scary?
There is some peril, but it is gentle.
Is Rowan of Rin a good book for a first fantasy?
Yes, it is short, simple and gentle.
Does the series continue?
Yes, with several sequels.
Is there an audiobook?
Check current listings, as availability varies by country.
Is Rowan of Rin good for classroom reading?
Yes, many teachers use it as a class read-aloud in the early grades.
Does Rowan have magic powers?
No. Rowan's strength is his courage and kindness.
What should a child read after this list?
Many children move on to longer series such as Deltora Quest, Ranger's Apprentice or Redwall once they finish a short quest like Rowan of Rin.