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Quick answer: If your child loves The Ogress and the Orphans, try The Girl Who Drank the Moon, The Witch's Boy, When the Sea Turned to Silver, The Tale of Despereaux, Nevermoor and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. They are fairy tales with heart and big moral questions.
Kelly Barnhill's 2022 novel tells of the town of Stone-in-the-Glen, which has been struck by trouble, and the ogress in the library who tries to help. It is a story about community, fear and kindness. Kids who love it want more fairy tales with a message and a strong sense of wonder. These 15 books suit ages 8 to 12 and make fine read-alouds.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | 9-13 | more Barnhill |
| The Witch's Boy | Kelly Barnhill | 9-13 | readers who want a tale of friendship |
| Iron Hearted Violet | Kelly Barnhill | 8-12 | fairy-tale lovers |
| When the Sea Turned to Silver | Grace Lin | 9-13 | readers who like folktales |
| Where the Mountain Meets the Moon | Grace Lin | 8-12 | readers who like folklore |
| Starry River of the Sky | Grace Lin | 8-12 | readers who like quiet stories |
| The Tale of Despereaux | Kate DiCamillo | 8-12 | readers who like old-style narration |
| A Tale Dark & Grimm | Adam Gidwitz | 8-12 | brave readers |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | 9-13 | readers who like magic school stories |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | 7-11 | younger readers |
| Echo Mountain | Lauren Wolk | 9-13 | readers who like historical stories |
| The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | 9-13 | readers who like puzzles |
| The Princess and the Goblin | George MacDonald | 7-11 | readers who like classics |
| Pax | Sara Pennypacker | 9-13 | readers who like animals |
| The Wolves of Willoughby Chase | Joan Aiken | 9-12 | readers who like adventure |
1. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A witch raises a girl on moonlight, and a town gives up children every year. Barnhill's Newbery-winning novel.
Best for: more Barnhill.
2. The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill
Ned, a boy who survived a shipwreck, and Aine, a bandit king's daughter, share a story about magic and secrets. Dark and fair.
Best for: readers who want a tale of friendship.
3. Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill
A princess, a dragon and a story about stories. Funny, strange and warm.
Best for: fairy-tale lovers.
4. When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin
Pinmei goes on a quest to rescue her grandmother. A story of Chinese folklore and storytelling.
Best for: readers who like folktales.
5. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon. Illustrated and warm.
Best for: readers who like folklore.
6. Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
Rendi arrives at an inn where the moon is missing. A quiet and magical story of tales.
Best for: readers who like quiet stories.
7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
A tiny mouse who loves a princess is sent to the dungeon. Funny and moving.
Best for: readers who like old-style narration.
8. A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Hansel and Gretel continue their story through other Grimm tales. Witty and slightly gory.
Best for: brave readers.
9. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow escapes a curse and joins the Wundrous Society in Nevermoor. Fun and fast.
Best for: readers who like magic school stories.
10. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot washes up on an island and learns to live with animals. Short and touching.
Best for: younger readers.
11. Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
Ellie and her family start over in the mountains after the Great Depression. Gentle and beautiful.
Best for: readers who like historical stories.
12. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four clever kids go on a secret mission. Puzzles and teamwork.
Best for: readers who like puzzles.
13. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
Princess Irene and a miner boy fight goblins. A classic that influenced Tolkien.
Best for: readers who like classics.
14. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
A boy and his pet fox are separated during a war. Emotional and illustrated.
Best for: readers who like animals.
15. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
Two cousins face a cruel governess and wolves in an alternate Victorian England. Classic adventure.
Best for: readers who like adventure.
How to Choose
For more Barnhill, read The Girl Who Drank the Moon. For folklore, pick Grace Lin's books. For funny fairy tales, choose The Tale of Despereaux or Iron Hearted Violet. For a longer series, read Nevermoor. For ages 7 to 9, start with The Wild Robot or The Princess and the Goblin. Preview A Tale Dark & Grimm because it has gory scenes. A cozy weekend plan: read the first chapter aloud, then let your child choose the next book. Fairy tales like these also work well as bedtime stories, because the chapters are short and the language is lyrical. If your child enjoys folklore, ask a librarian for collections of tales from different countries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The Ogress and the Orphans for?
It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.
Is it scary?
It has sad moments, but it is more thoughtful than frightening.
Is it related to The Girl Who Drank the Moon?
No. It is a separate story, though it has similar fairy-tale style.
Is it a good read-aloud?
Yes. The language is rich and the chapters are short.
Do these books have moral lessons?
Yes, but they are woven into the story rather than preached, with themes such as courage, kindness and fear.
How can I help a reluctant reader with fairy tales?
Try a graphic novel or audiobook first, then move to the print version.