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Quick answer: If your kid loved The Lord of the Rings, try The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Earthsea, Redwall, Eragon and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They share quests, wonder and strong friendships.
Tolkien's trilogy is a long read for kids, but those who finish it often want more quests, maps and heroes. The right follow-ups depend on age. The 15 books below start with easier adventures for ages 8 to 10, then grow in length and difficulty so a child can climb the ladder to epic fantasy.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | 8-13 | kids who want a gentle start |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C.S. Lewis | 7-12 | younger readers |
| Prince Caspian | C.S. Lewis | 8-12 | fans of the first Narnia book |
| The Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | 10-14 | older kids |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | 9-13 | animal adventure fans |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | 12+ | kids ready for epics |
| The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-12 | dragon fans |
| The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide | Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi | 7-11 | younger fantasy fans |
| The Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | kids who like humor |
| The Golden Compass | Philip Pullman | 11+ | strong readers |
| The Wind in the Willows | Kenneth Grahame | 6-10 | younger readers who love friendship |
| Dragonwatch | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | fantasy adventure fans |
| A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L'Engle | 9-13 | science-fantasy fans |
| The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper | 10-14 | readers who like British folklore |
| The Princess and the Goblin | George MacDonald | 7-11 | early fantasy readers |
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins joins thirteen dwarves on a journey to the Lonely Mountain. Lighter and shorter than the trilogy, and a good read-aloud.
Best for: kids who want a gentle start.
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Four siblings find a wardrobe that leads to Narnia and join Aslan against the White Witch. A short classic.
Best for: younger readers.
3. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
The Pevensies return to Narnia to help a prince reclaim his throne. More battles and a bigger world.
Best for: fans of the first Narnia book.
4. The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ged, a boy with great magical talent, makes a mistake that costs him. A thoughtful tale of growing up.
Best for: older kids.
5. Redwall by Brian Jacques
Matthias, a young mouse, defends Redwall Abbey from the rat Cluny and his army. Feasts, battles and riddles.
Best for: animal adventure fans.
6. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Rider. Long and serious, for strong readers.
Best for: kids ready for epics.
7. The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are raised to end a war. The first book of Wings of Fire, with quick pacing.
Best for: dragon fans.
8. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
Three kids find a field guide to faeries in their attic. Short and richly illustrated.
Best for: younger fantasy fans.
9. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod. Funny and quick.
Best for: kids who like humor.
10. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Lyra searches for missing children in a world where souls take animal form. Complex and thrilling.
Best for: strong readers.
11. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad share riverbank adventures in a gentle classic. Cozy and funny.
Best for: younger readers who love friendship.
12. Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth fight to stop dragon kings in a world of magical creatures. Fast and fun.
Best for: fantasy adventure fans.
13. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Meg Murry travels through space to rescue her father. Imaginative and a classic of good versus evil.
Best for: science-fantasy fans.
14. The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
Will Stanton learns he is the last of the Old Ones on his eleventh birthday. Atmospheric and mythic.
Best for: readers who like British folklore.
15. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
Princess Irene and a miner boy named Curdie fight goblins in the mountains. A gentle classic that influenced Tolkien and Lewis.
Best for: early fantasy readers.
How to Choose
For ages 7 to 9, read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Spiderwick Chronicles or The Princess and the Goblin aloud. For ages 9 to 12, try The Hobbit, Redwall or Wings of Fire. For ages 12 and up, add Eragon, The Dark Is Rising and The Wizard of Earthsea. The Lord of the Rings itself works best for ages 12 and up, so start with The Hobbit if your child is younger.
Related: What Age Is The Lord of the Rings Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · How Long Does It Take to Read The Lord of the Rings?
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The Lord of the Rings for?
Most readers are about 12 and older, though some strong readers enjoy it earlier.
Should kids read The Hobbit first?
Yes. It is shorter, funnier and sets up Middle-earth.
Are the Narnia books easier?
Yes. They are shorter and simpler, with a lighter tone.
What if my child finds the trilogy too slow?
Try the audiobook or read-aloud, which keeps the story moving.
Can we read these as a family?
Yes. The Hobbit, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Wind in the Willows are especially good read-alouds, with chapters short enough for bedtime.
Do any of these have maps?
Many do. The Hobbit, Narnia and Redwall all include maps, which kids enjoy tracing as the journey unfolds.