Books like Where The Wild Things Are
26 fantasy books to read after Where The Wild Things Are, by Sendak, Maurice, the closest match first.
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1. Peter Pan
by Barrie, J. M.
- On the same lists
Another classic book that features a story for all ages and genders. Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Peter Pan is one of those stories that stays with...
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2. Princess Bride
by Elwes, Cary
- On the same lists
An awesome movie, but an even better book. It’s a delightful book for children and adults too - a true tale for all ages. What’s specifically awesome about this story...
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3. Keys To The Kingdom
by Nix, Garth
- On the same lists
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a...
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Young Wizards book 1 Start here
4. So You Want To Be A Wizard
by Duane, Diane
- On the same lists
A compelling book that touches on a lot of issues that face kids. It’s also a pretty damn exciting story about two kids learning how to be wizards. It’s a...
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Artemis Fowl book 1 Start here
5. Artemis Fowl
by Colfer, Eoin
- On the same lists
Artemis is an unusual protagonist in Juvenile Fantasy because he's an anti-hero—he's rich, spoiled, smart and a criminal mastermind. A thoroughly engaging series with a sly wit.
Amazon Book Description From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid...
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6. Septimus Heap
by Zugy, Angie Sage And Mark
- On the same lists
This one takes place in the fictional city of The Castle which is surrounded by a great wall.The books are light reading and don't take themselves too seriously. A good...
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7. Ranger's Apprentice
by Flanagan, John A.
- On the same lists
A juvenile/young adult series set in a medieval Europe that resembles our own. The story follows an orphan protagonist who seeks to protect the kingdom from evil invaders.
A strong series for kids looking for a bit of adventure fantasy. It's not deep or particularly complex; it's not a classic that tries to teach you something grand as...
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Alice's Adventures In Wonderland book 1 Start here
8. Alice In Wonderland
by Carroll, Lewis
- On the same lists
If there is one childrenâs classic your kids should read and only one, than it should be Alice in Wonderland. Itâs a book thatâs influenced an entire generation of pop...
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Redwall book 1 Start here
9. Redwall
by Jacques, Brian
- On the same lists
A series of books about the lives and adventures of rodents.
Action, sword fighting and adventures but with the heroes and villains of the tale mice, badgers, and other talking animals. Redwall is a fast-paced action series for kids that’s wonderfully...
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10. Un Lun Dun
by Miéville, China
- On the same lists
This was Mieville’s first foray into YA fantasy and boy was it a good one; he manages to subvert the standard fantasy formula, giving the reader a story that’s both...
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Tales Of Alderley book 1 Start here
11. The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen
by Garner, Alan
- On the same lists
While vacationing with their Mother's ancient nurse in Wales, young Colin and Susan come to learn of the Legend of Alderley, a story of mystery and magic. Obviously, at first...
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Charlie Bucket book 1 Start here
12. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
by Dahl, Roald
- On the same lists
Charlie is a poor yet happy child who lives with his mother, father and four old grandparents in a one-room bungalow on the outskirts of town. He is the kind...
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13. James And The Giant Peach
by Dahl, Roald
- On the same lists
James and the Giant Peach is about a little boy named James, whose parents died, and now lives with his wicked aunts. One day, someone suspicious gives him a bag...
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14. Where The Wild Things Are
by Sendak, Maurice
- Same author
This book is about a boy named Max who puts on a wolf costume and feels like making some trouble. He breaks some rules and is sent to bed without...
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15. Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or, There Must Be More To Life
by Sendak, Maurice
- Same author
This is such a delightful, peculiar but beautifully illustrated fable about a little dog called Jennie who has all that she could possibly wish for, but is unsatisfied with her...
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16. The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz
by Baum, L. Frank
- On the same lists
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Another classic quest story about a young girl who just wants to go home.
A true classic and not at all like the movie. Because of the popularity of the movie, many assume the book and the movie are the same; but this is...
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Inkworld book 1 Start here
17. Inkheart
by Funke, Cornelia
- On the same lists
A series of books about books…what more could an avid fantasy reader want? In her Inkheart series, Cornelia Funke takes everything that is enchanting about reading, and creates a hard-hitting...
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Chronicles Of Narnia book 1 Start here
18. The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
by Lewis, C. S.
- On the same lists
At this point, there's very little to be said about Narnia that hasn't been put better already. But I have to justify this list somehow, so I may as well...
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19. His Dark Materials
by Pullman, Philip
- On the same lists
A trilogy of young adult novels where science, theology, and magic are intertwined.
This series is challenging. Not because it's badly written or because there's a complex world to understand, but because it asks the reader to consider their beliefs and question everything...
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Time Quintet book 1 Start here
20. A Wrinkle In Time
by L'engle, Madeleine
- On the same lists
An award winning, YA series of books that present, at least in part, a Christian world-view.
With a foot in both Science Fiction and Fantasy, A Wrinkle in Time is a bridge between reality and fantasy, a meeting place for adult and child readers alike. Meg...
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21. The Neverending Story
by Ende, Michael
- On the same lists
The protagonist is a shy and awkward boy with a grand imagination. He becomes a character in a book where he takes on a mission of heroic significance.
The Neverending Story is a perfect example of how badly a film version of a beloved book can go. For people who hadn't read the book, the film was probably...
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Watership Down book 1 Start here
22. Watership Down: A Novel
by Adams, Richard
- On the same lists
On one level a classic tale of adventure, with anthropomorphized rabbit characters. On another level, it is an epic struggle between tyranny and freedom.
Yes, we're talking about that book about bunnies. No, we haven't lost our minds. Take note: This isn't a children's book, despite it being about fluffy animals. If you've read...
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23. The Chronicles Of Prydain
by Alexander, Lloyd
- On the same lists
Alexander's Wales-inspired epic fantasy offers little in the way of originality when compared to the novels of today. It's a simple tale of Taran, a pig farmer who has always...
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Howl’s Moving Castle book 1 Start here
24. Howl's Moving Castle
by Jones, Diana Wynne
- On the same lists
A journey of discovery and wonder. This story is part fairy tale, but flips some of the typical conventions—like the main character is an old lady.
Before famous director, Hayao Miyazaki turned Howl's Moving Castle into an animated film, it was an enchanting novel written by Diana Wynn Jones. This novel follows the life a young...
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The Lord Of The Rings book 1 Start here
25. The Hobbit
by Tolkien, J.r.r.
- On the same lists
Smaug is the classic dragon figure lying under the mountain—a scary creature who keeps the dwarves from their home and who must be defeated.
The Hobbit is one of the most well-loved fantasy novels of all time. Written by J.R.R Tolkien as a bedtime story for his children, The Hobbit is a light-hearted tale,...
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26. Harry Potter
by Rowling, J. K.
- On the same lists
This incredibly popular series is a story of an alternate world, a secret world of wizardy that exists within our own, but seems ever so vast.
Yes, everyone has probably read this. In fact, these these may have been the books that got you started reading fantasy in the first place. These books do make for...
Matches come from series and authors, from the lists the books share, and from the books readers open together. They are rebuilt every night. Back to Where The Wild Things Are.
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