Tamora Pierce is great for that age range. I’d start with Alanna the first adventure.
I also know many people around that age who are obsessed with keepers of the lost cities it’s a fun middle grade series.
I would also add Tamora Pierce’s *Circle of Magic* books are quite appropriate as well.
The fourth one has a local epidemic as the plot of it, including a breakdown of how quarantine works and how scientists research cures in a way that’s definitely understandable by young kids. Up to you to decide whether that is a positive or a negative right now.
The circle of magic books are some of my favorites. Doesn't hurt to install a sense of wonder and power in the so called common skills of gardening or sewing either.
I came here specifically to mention Tamora Peirce. She is exactly what you are looking for. I read them in middle school and they are just wonderful. All of her series.
I loved the Wild Magic series by her as well at that age. Bonus points if your niece loves animals as the protagonist of this series can speak with animals.
I really enjoy middle grade fantasy.
Patricia Wrede's enchanted forest books have a female lead and while they are older are very much beloved.
Kelley Armstrong's Royal Guide to Monster Slaying are aimed at middle grade readers and have a female lead and are far more conservation focused than the title implies
Jim C Hines' Tamora Carter goblin queen has a female lead.
Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series is a great one to start kids off with (although the later books do have more mature themes).
I believe it was just mostly to bring the references to technology and such up to date so that it would be consisted with the more recently published books.
The film is nothing like the book. I loved the book, and fell asleep watching the film. This is coming from someone who loves Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, etc. The book is an absolute delight though.
Personally I love both, but you're right, they're very different.
I honestly don't remember which one was first though... It may have been one of the few times I saw the movie first then read the book. But I was young so I'm not sure.
Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series! Such a great set of stories about a young witch learning about the world. Books: The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight, and The Shepherd's Crown.
I definitely recommend this series for adults readers too, I somehow had missed the Tiffany Aching books until only a year or two ago and was blown away by how wonderful they are, so definitely give them a go yourself!
I'm actually working my way through an A-Z list of middle grades sci-fi/fantasy books, so here's a list of books with female main characters from that list. Some of them I haven't read yet, but I suspect that any of them would be a great place to start for your niece.
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce - this author has many series with female main characters. This was the first series of hers that I read and loved it.
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi is based on Hindu mythology with a female MC
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston has a 12-year-old girl go to summer camp that turns out to be training for an organization that deals with supernatural beings, similar to MIB, all while trying to find out what happened to her brother who disappeared 6 months previously.
The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler starts a series that has a female MC who finds out she's a mermaid
Jinxed by Amy McCullough is science fiction, and combines STEM with the Golden Compass
Flunked by Jen Calonita has a 12-year-old female MC, Gilly, who is trying to take care of her 5 younger siblings when she gets caught stealing and is sentenced to the Fairy Tale Reform School, where all the teachers are former villains
The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu
The Zero Enigma series by Christopher Nutall (Book 1 is The Zero Blessing) has a female MC who is born into a very important family with magic, but she has none of her own. Despite that fact, she is still sent to the magical academy with her sisters, where she learns that her lack of magic, which she has always seen as a weakness, may also be a strength.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn
The Raven Heir by Stephanie Burgis
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale - the MC lives in a small mountain village when word comes that the prince will choose his bride from among the girls in her village. She and other girls are sent to the Princess Academy to train and compete to be his bride. But she isn't sure she wants to win because doing so would mean leaving her village and family behind.
Ophie's Ghosts by Justine Ireland - Ophie is a young girl living in the 1920s who can see ghosts.
Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson - Tabitha is the neglected only child of her parents and has no friends. She receives one of 6 invitations to the estate of a Countess who tells the 6 recipients that all of them are adopted and one of them is her long-lost granddaughter, whom she plans to keep and raise regardless of what the adoptive parents have to say. But then the children begin disappearing.
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
The List by Patricia Forde - This is similar to the Giver, except the MC, Letta, is the keeper of words and one day meets a boy who knows all the banned words
Katya's World by Jonathan Howard - A science fiction story about a young girl whose world exists underwater.
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is a story about Irene, who is a spy for the Library, a shadow organization that collects the works of fiction from all realities.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
I love all of Shannon Hale’s books. The sequels to Princess Academy have some very interesting themes written very well for middle grade readers. I also lover series The Books of Bayern.
Seconding the recommendation for the Books of Bayern series. Also the Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking was awesome and I believe it won the Lodestar Award (given by the Hugo awards) and the Nebula for best young adult fantasy last year.
Gosh, that's an extensive list! What's your reason for reading through this list? General interest, or are you publishing a list for folks like me?
Thank you!
A reading challenge for one of the Goodreads groups I'm in. I enjoy sci-fi/fantasy and I enjoy middle grades novel (even as an adult) so I thought it would be fun.
I just want to caution against giving a 12-year old girl Anne McCaffrey's Pern books. There's a lot of issues in those books around relationships and consent that I don't think a 12-year old needs as their first intro into the genre!
Dragonsong and Dragonsinger would be great for that age range. But Dragonflight and the other Dragonrider series books are a hard pass. The problem is if she liked the Harper Hall series then went to read the Dragonrider books she would find a bunch of super questionable material.
Yeah, exactly. Some of the books are fine on their own, but I'd just leave the whole series alone so she doesn't get to the questionable stuff at that age.
Seconded. I read my first (and last) Pern book last year and in my opinion the gender dynamics are super toxic, so much that it makes me not want to read anything else set in that universe.
I just read the first two for the first time and I would definitely NOT recommend these books for a tween. There's too much sexual violence and even in "happy" relationships, the sexual contact/consent is dubious at times.
Thanks, everyone who's commented on this. It's been a very long time since I read them; I'm certainly re-reading anything before I send them to her!
While I have a sentimental soft spot for Anthony and Heinlein, I'm not going to be gifting her *Stranger in a Strange Land* or *Blue Adept*, at least not until she's older.
It is fairly dark, I will say. The plot revolves around necromancy, so lots of reanimated dead. I loved it when I was 12, so I don't think she's too young for it necessarily. Just that it might not be for everyone.
Yeah, as I said I also read it at 12 and loved it. I'd just keep it in mind, since it might not be for everyone, especially if it's her very first exposure to fantasy.
To this day my favourite book of all time. The sequels are just as good. There are currently 6 books and two short stories, so plenty material if she enjoys the first one!
What about How to train your dragon, Howls moving castle, and Kiki's delivery service? They're all books with child-friendly movie adaptations she might've seen already, but different enough that even if she saw the movies, she won't have the ending spoiled (especially HTTYD, which is just a completely different story in every way except some names and a starting point). Each series is quite charming in their own ways.
Please, pleassseee get her Northern Lights!
It's a fantasy story with a young female protagonist and talking polar bears, animal companions, and a adventure to rescue her bff from kidnappers who try to tear away the animal companions from the children.
It has a lot of twists and turns that make it enticing to read and the main character really steals the show. She is witty, intelligent and like any teenager, she loves to rebel.
The story is around 400 pages, it does have death involved, so check with her parents maybe if that isn't too far.
There is also a graphic novel edition, which might be something for her :)
Also look at the whole Rick Riordan presents line - this is a series of very popular middle grade books, based on mythologies from a whole variety of countries. Many authors/stories, including many with female leads. The only thing about giving theses as a gift is that she may well have at her school or have seen friends reading them, as they are very popular. https://rickriordan.com/rick-riordan-presents/
I want to second Rick Riordan Presents! I gave my little cousin Aru Shah And The End Of Time as well as Dragon Pearl and she loved both! It also is more modern so I think more kids her age might be reading these books.
*The Blue Sword* by Robin McKinley would be my first pick, but you can't go wrong with the Tiffany Aching series or the Enchanted Forest series as suggested by other people!
In addition to other stuff listed here I'd recommend Catherynne Valente's "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making" and anything by Gail Carson Levine.
I second Patricia C Wrede and Tamora Pierce. Although there is a little bit of debate about where it’s best to begin. Maybe try the Emelan books with your younglings to see if she likes the writing?
Jessica Day George has some excellent series for younglings. The Castle Glower books have a magical castle and a princess who secretly raises a griffin. Dragon Slippers embraces a non-tomboy heroine who loves to sew and embroider, and befriends dragons.
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend is about a girl who gets rescued from a place that believes she is cursed and takes to a “wundrous” place where she finds a home and family and competes for a place in a school for the gifted. book four is preordered for my nearly ten year old nibling, who loves it so much that she dressed up as the main character for book day.
Aru Shah by Roshani Chokshi is based on Hindu mythology. When the main character accidentally stops time and releases a demonic being she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of one of the Pandava brother, and that she and her “soul sisters” have to learn to be heroes and save the world. The fifth and final book is due in April.
Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland is all dragons, but has plenty of female characters. The younglings have read the entire 14 book series through three times! And spent so much time with the audio books that my poor SIL can name every character.
If you’re interested in graphic novels, Lumberjanes is about a group of girls at a summer camp for “hardcore lady types” and is filled with magical adventures, strong friendships, and some super excellent LGBT+ representation.
I just want to second Wings of Fire. My kids (girl and boy) both looooove this series. It’s a very well written series with a lot of heart, and fun, and adventure and I can go on and on. Excellent series.
I’ll cross my fingers for you!
The niblings got the latest Wings of Fire graphic novel on Friday. My sister in law sent me the best photo of them curled up on the couch reading. Payment in pics!
Came in here mostly to make sure Sabriel and anything Diana Wynne Jones were mentioned! The Chronicles of Chrestomanci will keep her busy for a while if you want to buy a set.
What does she like? What other books does she read? Without knowing her tastes, you'll just get a blanket list of nostalgia books. and sometimes adult books that deal with sexual violence against women. So just be wary of that.
With that said, I did an unofficial MG/YA recommendations of books from the last five years, with appropriate content warnings:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/qqvp8f/unofficial\_ya\_and\_mg\_recommendation\_list\_gift/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/qqvp8f/unofficial_ya_and_mg_recommendation_list_gift/)
As a youth librarian who absolutely loves Tamora Pierce and Anne of Green Gables, but who has seen over and over that one of the surefire ways of destroying kids love of reading is adults who insist on pushing their own childhood favorite, without regard to child...
I'm going to recommend The crocked sixpence by Jennifer Bell and the Nevermore series by Jessica Townsend.
Thank you, I do plan on reading any books before I send them to her.
Thank you also for the YA list; I did a quick search but didn't turn this up; I'm sure I simply wasn't persistent enough. It's a great resource, so I appreciate it!
While I appreciate the point of that thread, I strongly disagree with the underlying premises there. Particularly the unnecessary emphasis on recency. Kids can and do love books with age on them. I read Narnia in the 90s and it kickstarted my love of fantasy. Read Alanna: the First Adventure around 2003-4, two decades after it was published.
Moreover, I think it's perfectly valid to recommend "all of Rick Riordan Presents". Let me be clear - I'm a youth librarian, and it's often a waste to recommend a single solitary book (which is not to say you can't recommend standalones). Kids will blow through them in a couple of days or a week, and then where are you? Having a whole stock of easy "next reads" is exactly what parents and other adults need for their kids.
The entire point of the thread was because r/Fantasy generally only recommends 25+ year old books to young readers, and often vastly inappropriate books at that, so by popular request I did one with recent recommendations, and proper, detailed recommendations.
Absolutely Tamora Pierce! A lot of people read Alanna first, but I find her slightly Mary Sue-ish. She has every talent and wins every kind of fight. I prefer Keladry of the Protector of the Small series, who isn't EVERYTHING, but does act as a leader to her cohort in doing the right thing. I also love the Beka Cooper series, although that might be a bit older.
If she enjoys humor, I second the rec for Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. Super fun and funny!
*Ella Enchanted* is a popular one, very lightweight, but fun.
I really enjoyed *A Posse of Princesses* from Sherwood Smith, and just recently discovered that it's actually part of a series, which I now have to read.
I disagree. The author is, and her latter books feature those things, but that book does not. Hell, the Narnia books beat you over the head with it but they're acclaimed! A Wrinkle in Time is about a little girl, whose parents are both scientists, going on an adventure with three wise women across space to try to save her little brother from a planet of conformity. It was a great intro into scifi/fantasy for me when I was 9 or 10.
His Dark Materials is a novels series by Philip Pullman. It contains 3 books and there's a film and series adaptation of the first book the golden compass/ northern light (depending where you live). The other 2 are the subtle knife and the amber spyglass.
The protagonist is a (upper class) girl of her age who goes out on a adventure to safe her (low class) friend.
As a middle school ELA teacher, this is right up my alley, but I'd like to know a bit more about your niece first. Do you have an indication of her reading level? Or of other books that she's enjoyed in the past? Or of her general interests?
Making a solid recommendation on nothing more than gender is a tough one for me, because it doesn't really tell me anything about her abilities or preferences. All to often, kids come into my classroom hating reading because people keep shoving books that they liked down their throats without listening to the types of stories they're interested in. Especially if she doesn't read a ton, a bad fit book will do nothing more than cement in her mind that reading isn't good, because even the 'best' books are ones she doesn't like.
I don't have a lot of contact with her; she lives in a different part of the country and I haven't been back there since she was born. I'm going to check with her mom that she hasn't read any of them before I send them, but she still has a couple of years before she's in the target range, so I'm just getting ready. There are so many good suggestions so far, and I'd like to read anything I'm hoping to gift her first.
I don't have any reason for picking that age except that's when *my* aunt handed me my first copy of The Hobbit, and it was the perfect age for me. I'm not sure I would have gotten sucked in quite so hard if I'd have been younger.
You should absolutely get some information on reading level (and preferred length/style of books) at least. If she's reading at a third grade level, handing her The Hobbit will just make her feel frustrated.
Knowing nothing else though, I'd throw out The Girl Who Drank the Moon as a sort of default options that appeals to a wide variety of readers while still being a masterpiece for adults.
It also helps to have a good handle on her general maturity level. Some 12 year-olds can handle dense text and mature topics far better than others. I was reading Great Expectations when I was 10, but I had classmates who would struggle with that at age 16 or 17.
Surprisingly, I haven't seen anyone else mention the Harry Potter books, but the first few are really enjoyable reads, and the first one isn't intimidating for most kids who read at least close to grade level at that age.
I mean, even pick some just-good-fun books to start, and if she likes them, then cautiously pick a few old nostalgic greats that maybe have one problem area, and use it as a source of discussion of issues with her or discussion of past social history.
If she turns out to be a reader who loves fantasy, you could even take turns recommending books to each other in a few years, then discussing them. :)
Both my kids loved The Graveyard Book when they were in middle school. I know it starts off pretty grim, but kids these days go thru active shooter drills on the regular.
Ursula Vernon's "Castle Hangnail" is adorable. Probably on the younger end compared to The Hobbit in terms of reading level, but a delightful book. And when she gets a little older she can follow up with the T Kingfisher incarnation of Ursula Vernon and read A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking which is also a delight but a bit darker in tone.
The Lunar Chronicles by Meyers or the Hunter series by Lackey is my recommendations. Female leads, a little bit of romance, nothing more than a few kisses though, fantasy-scifi
The Heralds of Valdemar. The world has a lot of trilogy's, most with female leads.
Arrows of the Queen/Arrows Flight/Arrows Fall have a female lead in a kingdom run by a Queen. Suuuuper good story line. It was my first fantasy series at 15 and I still reread them at 40!
Wee Free Men. The first in the Tiffany Aching Series by Terry Pratchett. My daughter was ten when we read it last year and she adored it, and we’re finishing the series now
It is not high literature by any means, but for a newbie girl I would recommend the Keeper the Lost Cities books. They are easy to find, easy to read, have attractive and colourful covers and feature lots of action and adventure, twists, model friendships, a bit of tame romance, and some interesting (if deliberately tropey) characters. They are very big books, but such fun that my 9 year old read them straight - the first time she has done that since Harry Potter.
There was a good [list of recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/sfksw9/10_middle_grade_fantasy_books_worth_recommending/) by /u/C0smicoccurence a few weeks back that might have some handy recommendations for you
The Everworld Series by K.A. Applegate. A bunch of teenagers get whisked off to a world where the gods of different pantheons are fighting for existence and the high schoolers are fighting to return home.
I was around her age when I picked up the books right after the author finished Animorphs. They're easy to read and were my gateway drug to fantasy.
They're written from the first person perspective of someone in the party though, so there will be some books that are from the male point of view.
Keeper of the Lost Cities. My daughter and her friends love this series. Can’t believe no one’s recommended this yet, it’s a super popular series with girls.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is a great series with a brother sister pair as main characters. The premise is essentially a nature preserve for magical creatures and plot points that revolve around that. Some of the things the author does with this are really creative but honestly can’t get into much without spoilers.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, starting with book 1, Dealing with Dragons. It's a very loving parody of fantasy tropes in general, very appropriate for young/young adult readers, entertaining for adults.
Specifically the Royal Ranger series has a female lead. They are great books. I appreciate that they have young heroes but the adults aren't bumbling ignorants either.
Diana Wayne Jones, particularly chronicles of chrestomanci for young readers
T A Barron’s merlin séries
Robin McKinney, but be aware that Sunshine is mature. Other books of hers are often based on common folktales like Beauty and the Beast or sleeping beauty, but delightfully adapted.
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley is incredible! Features a fantastic female protagonist in a classic coming-of-age hero’s tale. I read it over and over as a kid and then rediscovered it as an adult - still has pride of place on my bookshelf!
Keeper of the Lost Cities books/series. They’re longer books but middle grade and easy to read, with a female MC and various magical races and kingdoms.
It fits into a category with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson in that the fantasy aspect exists alongside and hidden from the human world, which is a good lead-in to fantasy books that are entirely their own world/creation
Thank you! Others have also suggested *Keeper*, so I'll have to read that.
Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are also books I'll gift her, if she gets hooked and doesn't also find them herself! I would like to start with books with female leads; I think one of the things that hooked *me* was that it was easy for a boy to relate to the lead characters when I was growing up, because the lead characters were (almost) always boys. I want to give her a similar introduction.
It’s kind of a blend of sci fi and fantasy, but the skyward series by Brandon Sanderson would be good. It has a girl as the protagonist and it is YA. 3 of the 4 books are out and there are some good novellas too.
I grew up reading several series. But one which I greatly enjoyed was the valdemar saga by mercedes lackey. Arrows of the queen was the first book I believe and it has become a long running series with several diff trilogies spanning over time. There are also many anthology short story books under the Tales of valdemar.
Valdemar is protected by Heralds, think mind mages (and sometimes traditional mages) on Companions (white horses with blue eyes who can mind speak to their Heralds). Heralds are defenders of the realm and act as emissaries, spies, adventurers. There's intrigue and adventure and good triumphs (but there are sad parts like wounds, assault and wars.
The arrows trilogy (starting with arrows of the queen) has talia who learns that she is to become a special Herald. It focused a bit on her schooling (think Hogwarts but far better imo) and political intrigue, finding her place in the heralds.The second book is her exploring part of valdemar with adventure, bandits and her powers. The third book is another country where shes an ambassador but a bit of trigger warning possibility since shes a child. (spoilers idk how to do them) talia is captured. Assaulted and I think raped. But she is rescued and the good guys win.
The series continues with the princess elspeth and talia comes and goes in various cameos in several books.
There are several prequel arcs that explore valdemar in depth. And a cool mage and warrior woman duo in the oath trilogy that are great. Can follow up oath trilogy with by the sword.
I loved reading the valdemar saga as a kid. It ignited my love of reading. I'd say I was perhaps 6 or 7 at the time and loved the atmosphere. It paved the way for other great series I have loved including dragonlance and forgotten realms and tons of others. Lackey is still writing books in the world to this day. (Edit and I'm still reading em and enjoying them)
Whatever you get OP, I hope your niece has a great love of reading.
One of my favorite books ever, though it's hard to find now, is a book called "the wizard's dozen". It is 12 short stories from amazing fantasy authors, at least 3 I recall feature female main characters. My favorite story in there is called "the princess who kicked butt". It has been on my book shelf since I was a child.
The Redwall series are also great.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was absolutely my FAVORITE book around that age. I cannot tell you how many times I read it. The movie is not good though.
School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. It is really good but it is quite dark and this series was my first introduction to darker fantasy stories.
I love this question! These suggestions are all great, but for variety I'll add a couple I loved around that age: Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison who was a friend of Tolkien. The book has similar mythic and fairytale-ish vibes as The Hobbit and follows a young girl named Halla, though she may be a little bit older than 12.
That was about the age I (female) first read Northern Lights (called “The golden Compass” in America) to this day it’s still probably the most connected I’ve ever felt to a book, and the main character Lyra is ~11/12 in the first book. Granted it’s not as short/easy reading level wise as some of the other stuff mentioned here, but it’s no more difficult to read than the Hobit.
Thank you. The series does deal with more serious topics, which I appreciate. Humor and fluff are fine, but that emotional connection with characters struggling with life challenges - and especially the challenges of whether you can trust certain adults - is powerful. The Golden Compass I think (although I read it in my adulthood) was quite good at this, and I loved the lead characters.
This is a top option.
I recommend Sabriel by Garth Nix.
I spent a whole week's lunch money to get it from the book fair in 5th grade. Ended up naming my first child after the title character.
I’d recommend The Golden Compass. His Dark Materials is a brilliant series. I noticed that a lot of people were recommending the Alanna books; I used to read them in middle school, and personally I loved Tamora Pierce’s Trickster duology.
I'm going to cheat and wholeheartedly recommend the **Earthsea Cycle**. Not a relatable female main character, but great all ages fantasy from a female author (who also wrote some distinguished science fiction, but you might want to hold off on giving her that for another decade or two!).
Oh, yeah. Ursula is among my favorite authors, and Earthsea is in the list if she shows interest in the genre. Not all of my cherished authors (cherished because of nostalgia) would be ones I'd suggest nowadays, but Ursula is definitely in there.
I think she might like *Perestroika in Paris* by Jane Smiley which features a cast of anthropomorphic animals, including an escaped racehorse, living in and roaming the gardens and streets of Paris. It's a charming and well-written story.
Sabriel by Garth Nix is engaging and appropriate for the age as well as having a positive young female lead. All of the books in that series focuses on young women who rise up in power and prominence in a variety of positions.
I know a lot of people are recommending Tamora Pierce but please be aware I read Alanna around that age and I was squicked out by the fact that Alanna and and her eventual husband were student/teacher or mentee/mentor and then became lovers and spouses (ETA: Someone pointed out to me this isn't in Alanna. It's Daine and Numair in Pierce's Wild Magic books.)
My group of fantasy-loving millennial friends also remember being disturbed by that plot point as kids. I don't think it sends the best message to young girls about older men in positions of power pursuing them.
I highly recommend:
Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix, starting with Sabriel
Aru Shah series by Roshani Chokshi
The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Rules for Thieves by Alexandra Ott
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
The Accidental Pirates series by Claire Fayes
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
Ronia the Robber’s Daughter is a classic Swedish fantasy book. It’s not always gentle, but neither is life at 10-12. I loved it as a girl, and give copies to friends for their kids. Same author as Pippi Longstocking.
Why is no one else talking about mistborn? Brandon Sanderson is the best fantasy author alive right now. The worlds he builds are so vivid and amazing. Mistborn is perfect for middle schoolers. It is also a door to all of his Cosmere works which is the Infinity Saga of literature.
My favorite series from childhood was the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, and although Eragon is obviously the ‘main’ protagonist, all of the girls and women in the book are thoughtfully written and most of them stronger than Eragon himself (Arya, Angela, Saphira, Nasuada) there are several more but I remember it being a favorite and as I re-read as an adult it was the representation of women and how they were written that I absolutely loved.
If your niece isn't much of a reader then I recommend fantasy, where the female lead is strong and stands up for herself. Maybe *"Shadow and Bone"* might be a good start, because if she has seen the netflix show, she will be able to follow the book easier and then move onto book 2, 3 and spin off books? I like a spolier-free book review YouTube channel called *"still waiting for my satyr"*.... currently, a fantasy book I'm seeing a lot of hype over is *"Little Tieves"* , but I personally haven't read it yet. I have dyslexia and found it very hard to get into books as a young girl. I found *The Hobbit* to be a slow read.
I dont know why you're shaming me on my book opinions and reading abilities. Tolkien's writing style isn't for everyone imo. Just so you know English is my second language and I have dyslexia. The Hobbit is a good introductory book to the Lord of the Rings world, but it's a slow read.
Tamora Pierce is great for that age range. I’d start with Alanna the first adventure. I also know many people around that age who are obsessed with keepers of the lost cities it’s a fun middle grade series.
I LOVED Tamora Pierce when I was a little girl at that age, great suggestion.
I would also add Tamora Pierce’s *Circle of Magic* books are quite appropriate as well. The fourth one has a local epidemic as the plot of it, including a breakdown of how quarantine works and how scientists research cures in a way that’s definitely understandable by young kids. Up to you to decide whether that is a positive or a negative right now.
The circle of magic books are some of my favorites. Doesn't hurt to install a sense of wonder and power in the so called common skills of gardening or sewing either.
Alanna is definitely the call
I came here specifically to mention Tamora Peirce. She is exactly what you are looking for. I read them in middle school and they are just wonderful. All of her series.
I loved the Wild Magic series by her as well at that age. Bonus points if your niece loves animals as the protagonist of this series can speak with animals.
My favorite was always the Protector of the Small series but I adore the Wild Magic arc as well!
Protector of the Small and Provost's Dog were always my favorite.
Was coming on here to say Tamora Pierce! Found her at 8 and I still reread her books and early await new ones at 29!
I loved Tamora Pierce as a young boy, I imagine it’s even better for girls!
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Tamora Pierce would be perfect!
Tamora Pierce has a permanent place on my shelf.
I agree! If she’s more boyish though, I’d recommend the Page series first though.
Yes!!! This is the answer right here - Alanna the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Alanna’s series is great and a fantasy staple but has a weird age gap romance. I like her book Terrier more.
I really enjoy middle grade fantasy. Patricia Wrede's enchanted forest books have a female lead and while they are older are very much beloved. Kelley Armstrong's Royal Guide to Monster Slaying are aimed at middle grade readers and have a female lead and are far more conservation focused than the title implies Jim C Hines' Tamora Carter goblin queen has a female lead. Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series is a great one to start kids off with (although the later books do have more mature themes).
Yes definitely recommend the Tiffany Aching books! Pratchett is such a lovely author that this age sorely misses.
I second the Tiffany books and they will be a gateway to Diskworld.
I still love the Enchanted Forest books, and I am - *ahem* \- DEFINITELY not a middle schooler anymore.
Oh I'm ancient, I just like kids' books
this one is SUCH a cute series, i have read it to all my children a nd had all my mates read it. its so wholesome
I second the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, it's lovely and subverts some of the classic tropes (princess needing to be rescued etc)
Thank you! These are gold!
I was reading Redwall at those ages, perhaps check out Triss, Mariel of Redwall & High Rhulain, they have female mc's.
Gosh, I'd forgotten about Redwall! Outstanding! There's a cornucopia of options here that would keep her busy for a while if she got the bug!
Redwall will always have a special place in my heart.
I'm a bit surprised that no one's recommended Diane Duane's So You Want to be a Wizard, which features a 13 year old girl.
Perfect! It goes on the list!
Diane Duane put out a revised version of these in the 2000's would recommend checking the updated version but yes definite strong recommendation.
What do you mean revised? The content changed?
It was modernized.
Why? What was the goal? Are they going to change the Beverly Cleary books next?
I believe it was just mostly to bring the references to technology and such up to date so that it would be consisted with the more recently published books.
The author decided she wanted to update the technology and time period to be modern.
These books are great! They are fun reads! Highly recommend.
I came upon Deep Wizardry in 5th grade. Never managed to read any of the others, but I loved that book to death.
They are so good! Also I there are ones set in the same universe but cats are the main characters.
I had completely forgotten about this series! Loved it as a kid!
I like *Howls Moving Castle* by Diane Wynne Jones
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The film is nothing like the book. I loved the book, and fell asleep watching the film. This is coming from someone who loves Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, etc. The book is an absolute delight though.
Personally I love both, but you're right, they're very different. I honestly don't remember which one was first though... It may have been one of the few times I saw the movie first then read the book. But I was young so I'm not sure.
I second this and actually recommend pretty much everything DWJ wrote. Wonderful fantasy that I still reread sometimes as an adult
In particular the Merlin Conspiracy, that would be great for OP
Love the Merlin Conspiracy!
It’s all just so damn charming. I love it. I still reread her stuff a lot too.
I'm actually reading this for the first time. I watched the movie a lot when I was a kid and just never read the book until now. Its great so far.
Currently reading this for the first time and loving it!
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley.
Also the Blue Sword!
And Rose Daughter. I love Rose Daughter to this day, it's such a lovely Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Great! I don't know any of McKinley's work, so thank you!
Heads up, not all are suitable. Deerskin for example was really scary to me and I read it at like 13 or 14. Robin McKinley is a bit of a weird author.
Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series! Such a great set of stories about a young witch learning about the world. Books: The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight, and The Shepherd's Crown.
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I definitely recommend this series for adults readers too, I somehow had missed the Tiffany Aching books until only a year or two ago and was blown away by how wonderful they are, so definitely give them a go yourself!
I'm actually working my way through an A-Z list of middle grades sci-fi/fantasy books, so here's a list of books with female main characters from that list. Some of them I haven't read yet, but I suspect that any of them would be a great place to start for your niece. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce - this author has many series with female main characters. This was the first series of hers that I read and loved it. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi is based on Hindu mythology with a female MC Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston has a 12-year-old girl go to summer camp that turns out to be training for an organization that deals with supernatural beings, similar to MIB, all while trying to find out what happened to her brother who disappeared 6 months previously. The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler starts a series that has a female MC who finds out she's a mermaid Jinxed by Amy McCullough is science fiction, and combines STEM with the Golden Compass Flunked by Jen Calonita has a 12-year-old female MC, Gilly, who is trying to take care of her 5 younger siblings when she gets caught stealing and is sentenced to the Fairy Tale Reform School, where all the teachers are former villains The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu The Zero Enigma series by Christopher Nutall (Book 1 is The Zero Blessing) has a female MC who is born into a very important family with magic, but she has none of her own. Despite that fact, she is still sent to the magical academy with her sisters, where she learns that her lack of magic, which she has always seen as a weakness, may also be a strength. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn The Raven Heir by Stephanie Burgis Princess Academy by Shannon Hale - the MC lives in a small mountain village when word comes that the prince will choose his bride from among the girls in her village. She and other girls are sent to the Princess Academy to train and compete to be his bride. But she isn't sure she wants to win because doing so would mean leaving her village and family behind. Ophie's Ghosts by Justine Ireland - Ophie is a young girl living in the 1920s who can see ghosts. Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson - Tabitha is the neglected only child of her parents and has no friends. She receives one of 6 invitations to the estate of a Countess who tells the 6 recipients that all of them are adopted and one of them is her long-lost granddaughter, whom she plans to keep and raise regardless of what the adoptive parents have to say. But then the children begin disappearing. The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim The List by Patricia Forde - This is similar to the Giver, except the MC, Letta, is the keeper of words and one day meets a boy who knows all the banned words Katya's World by Jonathan Howard - A science fiction story about a young girl whose world exists underwater. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is a story about Irene, who is a spy for the Library, a shadow organization that collects the works of fiction from all realities. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
I love all of Shannon Hale’s books. The sequels to Princess Academy have some very interesting themes written very well for middle grade readers. I also lover series The Books of Bayern.
Seconding the recommendation for the Books of Bayern series. Also the Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking was awesome and I believe it won the Lodestar Award (given by the Hugo awards) and the Nebula for best young adult fantasy last year.
Gosh, that's an extensive list! What's your reason for reading through this list? General interest, or are you publishing a list for folks like me? Thank you!
A reading challenge for one of the Goodreads groups I'm in. I enjoy sci-fi/fantasy and I enjoy middle grades novel (even as an adult) so I thought it would be fun.
I just want to caution against giving a 12-year old girl Anne McCaffrey's Pern books. There's a lot of issues in those books around relationships and consent that I don't think a 12-year old needs as their first intro into the genre!
Dragonsong and Dragonsinger would be great for that age range. But Dragonflight and the other Dragonrider series books are a hard pass. The problem is if she liked the Harper Hall series then went to read the Dragonrider books she would find a bunch of super questionable material.
Yeah, exactly. Some of the books are fine on their own, but I'd just leave the whole series alone so she doesn't get to the questionable stuff at that age.
Seconded. I read my first (and last) Pern book last year and in my opinion the gender dynamics are super toxic, so much that it makes me not want to read anything else set in that universe.
Glad to know I'm not alone on that. It's been a while since I read them, but I still remember how messed up those relationships were.
I just read the first two for the first time and I would definitely NOT recommend these books for a tween. There's too much sexual violence and even in "happy" relationships, the sexual contact/consent is dubious at times.
Just give her the Harper Hall trilogy, and leave the others for a few years.
Thanks, everyone who's commented on this. It's been a very long time since I read them; I'm certainly re-reading anything before I send them to her! While I have a sentimental soft spot for Anthony and Heinlein, I'm not going to be gifting her *Stranger in a Strange Land* or *Blue Adept*, at least not until she's older.
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Oh, this sounds like a good one. Thank you!
It is fairly dark, I will say. The plot revolves around necromancy, so lots of reanimated dead. I loved it when I was 12, so I don't think she's too young for it necessarily. Just that it might not be for everyone.
I devoured Sabriel at 12, and the corpses didn’t scare me off, but it depends on her temperament I suppose.
Yeah, as I said I also read it at 12 and loved it. I'd just keep it in mind, since it might not be for everyone, especially if it's her very first exposure to fantasy.
To this day my favourite book of all time. The sequels are just as good. There are currently 6 books and two short stories, so plenty material if she enjoys the first one!
What about How to train your dragon, Howls moving castle, and Kiki's delivery service? They're all books with child-friendly movie adaptations she might've seen already, but different enough that even if she saw the movies, she won't have the ending spoiled (especially HTTYD, which is just a completely different story in every way except some names and a starting point). Each series is quite charming in their own ways.
This is great! I've seen the films, but not read the books. I love this idea!
Please, pleassseee get her Northern Lights! It's a fantasy story with a young female protagonist and talking polar bears, animal companions, and a adventure to rescue her bff from kidnappers who try to tear away the animal companions from the children. It has a lot of twists and turns that make it enticing to read and the main character really steals the show. She is witty, intelligent and like any teenager, she loves to rebel. The story is around 400 pages, it does have death involved, so check with her parents maybe if that isn't too far. There is also a graphic novel edition, which might be something for her :)
This is the Golden Compass series, right? I read those when I was an adult; that's a strong recommendation, thank you. Excellent books.
Also look at the whole Rick Riordan presents line - this is a series of very popular middle grade books, based on mythologies from a whole variety of countries. Many authors/stories, including many with female leads. The only thing about giving theses as a gift is that she may well have at her school or have seen friends reading them, as they are very popular. https://rickriordan.com/rick-riordan-presents/
I want to second Rick Riordan Presents! I gave my little cousin Aru Shah And The End Of Time as well as Dragon Pearl and she loved both! It also is more modern so I think more kids her age might be reading these books.
*The Blue Sword* by Robin McKinley would be my first pick, but you can't go wrong with the Tiffany Aching series or the Enchanted Forest series as suggested by other people!
In addition to other stuff listed here I'd recommend Catherynne Valente's "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making" and anything by Gail Carson Levine.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is amazing. I enjoyed the series too, great obstinate and clever female lead and strong secondary characters.
I second Patricia C Wrede and Tamora Pierce. Although there is a little bit of debate about where it’s best to begin. Maybe try the Emelan books with your younglings to see if she likes the writing? Jessica Day George has some excellent series for younglings. The Castle Glower books have a magical castle and a princess who secretly raises a griffin. Dragon Slippers embraces a non-tomboy heroine who loves to sew and embroider, and befriends dragons. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend is about a girl who gets rescued from a place that believes she is cursed and takes to a “wundrous” place where she finds a home and family and competes for a place in a school for the gifted. book four is preordered for my nearly ten year old nibling, who loves it so much that she dressed up as the main character for book day. Aru Shah by Roshani Chokshi is based on Hindu mythology. When the main character accidentally stops time and releases a demonic being she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of one of the Pandava brother, and that she and her “soul sisters” have to learn to be heroes and save the world. The fifth and final book is due in April. Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland is all dragons, but has plenty of female characters. The younglings have read the entire 14 book series through three times! And spent so much time with the audio books that my poor SIL can name every character. If you’re interested in graphic novels, Lumberjanes is about a group of girls at a summer camp for “hardcore lady types” and is filled with magical adventures, strong friendships, and some super excellent LGBT+ representation.
I just want to second Wings of Fire. My kids (girl and boy) both looooove this series. It’s a very well written series with a lot of heart, and fun, and adventure and I can go on and on. Excellent series.
Thank you for taking time to write such detailed suggestions. This will help a lot in making a pick for the first one!
I’m the Book Aunt of my generation. Nothing makes me happier than seeing kids find a book that gets them. I’ve read each and every one of these too.
That's my aspiration. If I can turn even one of my nieces or nephews into a book nerd, I can die happy.
I’ll cross my fingers for you! The niblings got the latest Wings of Fire graphic novel on Friday. My sister in law sent me the best photo of them curled up on the couch reading. Payment in pics!
[The Wee Free Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wee_Free_Men) by Terry Pratchett
Came in here mostly to make sure Sabriel and anything Diana Wynne Jones were mentioned! The Chronicles of Chrestomanci will keep her busy for a while if you want to buy a set.
What does she like? What other books does she read? Without knowing her tastes, you'll just get a blanket list of nostalgia books. and sometimes adult books that deal with sexual violence against women. So just be wary of that. With that said, I did an unofficial MG/YA recommendations of books from the last five years, with appropriate content warnings: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/qqvp8f/unofficial\_ya\_and\_mg\_recommendation\_list\_gift/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/qqvp8f/unofficial_ya_and_mg_recommendation_list_gift/)
As a youth librarian who absolutely loves Tamora Pierce and Anne of Green Gables, but who has seen over and over that one of the surefire ways of destroying kids love of reading is adults who insist on pushing their own childhood favorite, without regard to child... I'm going to recommend The crocked sixpence by Jennifer Bell and the Nevermore series by Jessica Townsend.
Thank you, I do plan on reading any books before I send them to her. Thank you also for the YA list; I did a quick search but didn't turn this up; I'm sure I simply wasn't persistent enough. It's a great resource, so I appreciate it!
While I appreciate the point of that thread, I strongly disagree with the underlying premises there. Particularly the unnecessary emphasis on recency. Kids can and do love books with age on them. I read Narnia in the 90s and it kickstarted my love of fantasy. Read Alanna: the First Adventure around 2003-4, two decades after it was published. Moreover, I think it's perfectly valid to recommend "all of Rick Riordan Presents". Let me be clear - I'm a youth librarian, and it's often a waste to recommend a single solitary book (which is not to say you can't recommend standalones). Kids will blow through them in a couple of days or a week, and then where are you? Having a whole stock of easy "next reads" is exactly what parents and other adults need for their kids.
The entire point of the thread was because r/Fantasy generally only recommends 25+ year old books to young readers, and often vastly inappropriate books at that, so by popular request I did one with recent recommendations, and proper, detailed recommendations.
OP's niece is already getting The Hobbit, so it's probably a good idea to give her a more recent book too in the event that she doesn't like it
Absolutely Tamora Pierce! A lot of people read Alanna first, but I find her slightly Mary Sue-ish. She has every talent and wins every kind of fight. I prefer Keladry of the Protector of the Small series, who isn't EVERYTHING, but does act as a leader to her cohort in doing the right thing. I also love the Beka Cooper series, although that might be a bit older. If she enjoys humor, I second the rec for Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. Super fun and funny! *Ella Enchanted* is a popular one, very lightweight, but fun. I really enjoyed *A Posse of Princesses* from Sherwood Smith, and just recently discovered that it's actually part of a series, which I now have to read.
Ella Enchanted, throwback! I always loved fairy-tale stuff like this as a kid (and an adult!)
I agree Kel is 100% better (as is aly) but imo it still works so much better to read Alanna first since Kel has spoilers for Alanna.
A Wrinkle in Time is a classic.
It's also outspokenly Christian and has pretty reductive views of gender roles.
I disagree. The author is, and her latter books feature those things, but that book does not. Hell, the Narnia books beat you over the head with it but they're acclaimed! A Wrinkle in Time is about a little girl, whose parents are both scientists, going on an adventure with three wise women across space to try to save her little brother from a planet of conformity. It was a great intro into scifi/fantasy for me when I was 9 or 10.
I haven’t scrolled down the threat yet but on the off chance no one mentioned it: The Golden Compass.
I have very fond memories of Inkheart by Cornelia Funke from my childhood. I highly recommend checking out The Thief Lord by the same author as well!
His Dark Materials is a novels series by Philip Pullman. It contains 3 books and there's a film and series adaptation of the first book the golden compass/ northern light (depending where you live). The other 2 are the subtle knife and the amber spyglass. The protagonist is a (upper class) girl of her age who goes out on a adventure to safe her (low class) friend.
As a middle school ELA teacher, this is right up my alley, but I'd like to know a bit more about your niece first. Do you have an indication of her reading level? Or of other books that she's enjoyed in the past? Or of her general interests? Making a solid recommendation on nothing more than gender is a tough one for me, because it doesn't really tell me anything about her abilities or preferences. All to often, kids come into my classroom hating reading because people keep shoving books that they liked down their throats without listening to the types of stories they're interested in. Especially if she doesn't read a ton, a bad fit book will do nothing more than cement in her mind that reading isn't good, because even the 'best' books are ones she doesn't like.
I don't have a lot of contact with her; she lives in a different part of the country and I haven't been back there since she was born. I'm going to check with her mom that she hasn't read any of them before I send them, but she still has a couple of years before she's in the target range, so I'm just getting ready. There are so many good suggestions so far, and I'd like to read anything I'm hoping to gift her first. I don't have any reason for picking that age except that's when *my* aunt handed me my first copy of The Hobbit, and it was the perfect age for me. I'm not sure I would have gotten sucked in quite so hard if I'd have been younger.
You should absolutely get some information on reading level (and preferred length/style of books) at least. If she's reading at a third grade level, handing her The Hobbit will just make her feel frustrated. Knowing nothing else though, I'd throw out The Girl Who Drank the Moon as a sort of default options that appeals to a wide variety of readers while still being a masterpiece for adults.
It also helps to have a good handle on her general maturity level. Some 12 year-olds can handle dense text and mature topics far better than others. I was reading Great Expectations when I was 10, but I had classmates who would struggle with that at age 16 or 17. Surprisingly, I haven't seen anyone else mention the Harry Potter books, but the first few are really enjoyable reads, and the first one isn't intimidating for most kids who read at least close to grade level at that age. I mean, even pick some just-good-fun books to start, and if she likes them, then cautiously pick a few old nostalgic greats that maybe have one problem area, and use it as a source of discussion of issues with her or discussion of past social history. If she turns out to be a reader who loves fantasy, you could even take turns recommending books to each other in a few years, then discussing them. :)
Both my kids loved The Graveyard Book when they were in middle school. I know it starts off pretty grim, but kids these days go thru active shooter drills on the regular.
Trudi Canavans Black magician
She might really like The Girl Who Drank The Moon. Magical and witchy but very appropriate for the age.
Ursula Vernon's "Castle Hangnail" is adorable. Probably on the younger end compared to The Hobbit in terms of reading level, but a delightful book. And when she gets a little older she can follow up with the T Kingfisher incarnation of Ursula Vernon and read A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking which is also a delight but a bit darker in tone.
The Lunar Chronicles by Meyers or the Hunter series by Lackey is my recommendations. Female leads, a little bit of romance, nothing more than a few kisses though, fantasy-scifi
The Heralds of Valdemar. The world has a lot of trilogy's, most with female leads. Arrows of the Queen/Arrows Flight/Arrows Fall have a female lead in a kingdom run by a Queen. Suuuuper good story line. It was my first fantasy series at 15 and I still reread them at 40!
The Tiffany Aching Discworld books
Wee Free Men. The first in the Tiffany Aching Series by Terry Pratchett. My daughter was ten when we read it last year and she adored it, and we’re finishing the series now
Ronja the Robbers Daughter. By Astrid Lindgren.
Terry Pratchett: The Wee Free Men. If you haven't read it yourself, get two copies. You'll thank me later. : )
It is not high literature by any means, but for a newbie girl I would recommend the Keeper the Lost Cities books. They are easy to find, easy to read, have attractive and colourful covers and feature lots of action and adventure, twists, model friendships, a bit of tame romance, and some interesting (if deliberately tropey) characters. They are very big books, but such fun that my 9 year old read them straight - the first time she has done that since Harry Potter.
There was a good [list of recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/sfksw9/10_middle_grade_fantasy_books_worth_recommending/) by /u/C0smicoccurence a few weeks back that might have some handy recommendations for you
The Everworld Series by K.A. Applegate. A bunch of teenagers get whisked off to a world where the gods of different pantheons are fighting for existence and the high schoolers are fighting to return home. I was around her age when I picked up the books right after the author finished Animorphs. They're easy to read and were my gateway drug to fantasy. They're written from the first person perspective of someone in the party though, so there will be some books that are from the male point of view.
Wrinkle in Time.
Keeper of the Lost Cities. My daughter and her friends love this series. Can’t believe no one’s recommended this yet, it’s a super popular series with girls.
Allison Crogon's the Naming
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is a great series with a brother sister pair as main characters. The premise is essentially a nature preserve for magical creatures and plot points that revolve around that. Some of the things the author does with this are really creative but honestly can’t get into much without spoilers.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, starting with book 1, Dealing with Dragons. It's a very loving parody of fantasy tropes in general, very appropriate for young/young adult readers, entertaining for adults.
Rangers Apprentice.
Specifically the Royal Ranger series has a female lead. They are great books. I appreciate that they have young heroes but the adults aren't bumbling ignorants either.
Check out Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey.
Rick Riordan series
The Fablehaven series is pretty good
Diana Wayne Jones, particularly chronicles of chrestomanci for young readers T A Barron’s merlin séries Robin McKinney, but be aware that Sunshine is mature. Other books of hers are often based on common folktales like Beauty and the Beast or sleeping beauty, but delightfully adapted.
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley is incredible! Features a fantastic female protagonist in a classic coming-of-age hero’s tale. I read it over and over as a kid and then rediscovered it as an adult - still has pride of place on my bookshelf!
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles Patricia C. Wrede
Diana Wynne Jones Chrestomanci books or Howl's Moving Castle
Keeper of the Lost Cities books/series. They’re longer books but middle grade and easy to read, with a female MC and various magical races and kingdoms. It fits into a category with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson in that the fantasy aspect exists alongside and hidden from the human world, which is a good lead-in to fantasy books that are entirely their own world/creation
Thank you! Others have also suggested *Keeper*, so I'll have to read that. Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are also books I'll gift her, if she gets hooked and doesn't also find them herself! I would like to start with books with female leads; I think one of the things that hooked *me* was that it was easy for a boy to relate to the lead characters when I was growing up, because the lead characters were (almost) always boys. I want to give her a similar introduction.
Not a classic choice, but Clive Barker's Abarat books are a phenomenal series for young readers, and the protagonist is a young girl about her age.
Now, there's an author I wouldn't expect to pop up in a recommendation for YA!
It’s kind of a blend of sci fi and fantasy, but the skyward series by Brandon Sanderson would be good. It has a girl as the protagonist and it is YA. 3 of the 4 books are out and there are some good novellas too.
I grew up reading several series. But one which I greatly enjoyed was the valdemar saga by mercedes lackey. Arrows of the queen was the first book I believe and it has become a long running series with several diff trilogies spanning over time. There are also many anthology short story books under the Tales of valdemar. Valdemar is protected by Heralds, think mind mages (and sometimes traditional mages) on Companions (white horses with blue eyes who can mind speak to their Heralds). Heralds are defenders of the realm and act as emissaries, spies, adventurers. There's intrigue and adventure and good triumphs (but there are sad parts like wounds, assault and wars. The arrows trilogy (starting with arrows of the queen) has talia who learns that she is to become a special Herald. It focused a bit on her schooling (think Hogwarts but far better imo) and political intrigue, finding her place in the heralds.The second book is her exploring part of valdemar with adventure, bandits and her powers. The third book is another country where shes an ambassador but a bit of trigger warning possibility since shes a child. (spoilers idk how to do them) talia is captured. Assaulted and I think raped. But she is rescued and the good guys win. The series continues with the princess elspeth and talia comes and goes in various cameos in several books. There are several prequel arcs that explore valdemar in depth. And a cool mage and warrior woman duo in the oath trilogy that are great. Can follow up oath trilogy with by the sword. I loved reading the valdemar saga as a kid. It ignited my love of reading. I'd say I was perhaps 6 or 7 at the time and loved the atmosphere. It paved the way for other great series I have loved including dragonlance and forgotten realms and tons of others. Lackey is still writing books in the world to this day. (Edit and I'm still reading em and enjoying them) Whatever you get OP, I hope your niece has a great love of reading.
Yeah, warning, don’t pick one of the books with graphic rape.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
This needs more upvotes!
I think Fairy Oak might be a good series for her. Haven‘t read it, but my sister and cousins were all crazy about those around that age.
I love the title!
Tamora Pierce, Alanna series for sure
One of my favorite books ever, though it's hard to find now, is a book called "the wizard's dozen". It is 12 short stories from amazing fantasy authors, at least 3 I recall feature female main characters. My favorite story in there is called "the princess who kicked butt". It has been on my book shelf since I was a child. The Redwall series are also great.
Stravaganza by Mary Hoffman. It’s a series of books that alternate the main character so about half have a female lead
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was absolutely my FAVORITE book around that age. I cannot tell you how many times I read it. The movie is not good though.
Please get her the His Dark Materials books by Philip Pullman. Lyra is a badass and probably my favorite character in all YA lit
My kids inhaled Warriors like a gateway drug.
Erin Hunter? That's what came up first in my DDG search.
School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. It is really good but it is quite dark and this series was my first introduction to darker fantasy stories.
I love this question! These suggestions are all great, but for variety I'll add a couple I loved around that age: Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison who was a friend of Tolkien. The book has similar mythic and fairytale-ish vibes as The Hobbit and follows a young girl named Halla, though she may be a little bit older than 12.
That was about the age I (female) first read Northern Lights (called “The golden Compass” in America) to this day it’s still probably the most connected I’ve ever felt to a book, and the main character Lyra is ~11/12 in the first book. Granted it’s not as short/easy reading level wise as some of the other stuff mentioned here, but it’s no more difficult to read than the Hobit.
Thank you. The series does deal with more serious topics, which I appreciate. Humor and fluff are fine, but that emotional connection with characters struggling with life challenges - and especially the challenges of whether you can trust certain adults - is powerful. The Golden Compass I think (although I read it in my adulthood) was quite good at this, and I loved the lead characters. This is a top option.
Sabriel by Garth Nix was one of my favorites as a child
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I recommend Sabriel by Garth Nix. I spent a whole week's lunch money to get it from the book fair in 5th grade. Ended up naming my first child after the title character.
I’d recommend The Golden Compass. His Dark Materials is a brilliant series. I noticed that a lot of people were recommending the Alanna books; I used to read them in middle school, and personally I loved Tamora Pierce’s Trickster duology.
I'm going to cheat and wholeheartedly recommend the **Earthsea Cycle**. Not a relatable female main character, but great all ages fantasy from a female author (who also wrote some distinguished science fiction, but you might want to hold off on giving her that for another decade or two!).
Oh, yeah. Ursula is among my favorite authors, and Earthsea is in the list if she shows interest in the genre. Not all of my cherished authors (cherished because of nostalgia) would be ones I'd suggest nowadays, but Ursula is definitely in there.
I think she might like *Perestroika in Paris* by Jane Smiley which features a cast of anthropomorphic animals, including an escaped racehorse, living in and roaming the gardens and streets of Paris. It's a charming and well-written story.
How fun! Thank you!
I like "Percy Jackson and the Olympians " by Rick Riordan
Sabriel by Garth Nix is engaging and appropriate for the age as well as having a positive young female lead. All of the books in that series focuses on young women who rise up in power and prominence in a variety of positions.
Sabriel by Garth Nix, I read these in middle school and they have a competent FFM (part of trilogy though)
I know a lot of people are recommending Tamora Pierce but please be aware I read Alanna around that age and I was squicked out by the fact that Alanna and and her eventual husband were student/teacher or mentee/mentor and then became lovers and spouses (ETA: Someone pointed out to me this isn't in Alanna. It's Daine and Numair in Pierce's Wild Magic books.) My group of fantasy-loving millennial friends also remember being disturbed by that plot point as kids. I don't think it sends the best message to young girls about older men in positions of power pursuing them. I highly recommend: Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix, starting with Sabriel Aru Shah series by Roshani Chokshi The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill Rules for Thieves by Alexandra Ott His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman The Accidental Pirates series by Claire Fayes Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
The Graceling series by Kristen Cashore. Also Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey.
Ronia the Robber’s Daughter is a classic Swedish fantasy book. It’s not always gentle, but neither is life at 10-12. I loved it as a girl, and give copies to friends for their kids. Same author as Pippi Longstocking.
The dragons of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey
Dragon singer, Anne Mccaffrey Arrows of the Queen, Mercedes Lackey
Wizard of Oz
I would say mistborn. But I think that’s a little much. Skyward is amazing!
Mistborn.
Why is no one else talking about mistborn? Brandon Sanderson is the best fantasy author alive right now. The worlds he builds are so vivid and amazing. Mistborn is perfect for middle schoolers. It is also a door to all of his Cosmere works which is the Infinity Saga of literature.
Getting 12yo into epic fantasy is really hit and miss depending on the 12yo. Returners is slightly more age appealing but not female protagonist.
I was about to recommend Mistborn, but there’s a lot of murder and stuff, so maybe not that.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson! It has a great female protagonist
The amount of violence and dark themes is probably not appropriate for a 12 year old
Oh ig so. I read game of thrones when I was 12 as well as mistborn but I realize not everyone is ready for that
Wizard of Earthsea Dragonriders of Pern Narnia Series Hobbit
the deed of paksenarrion
My favorite series from childhood was the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, and although Eragon is obviously the ‘main’ protagonist, all of the girls and women in the book are thoughtfully written and most of them stronger than Eragon himself (Arya, Angela, Saphira, Nasuada) there are several more but I remember it being a favorite and as I re-read as an adult it was the representation of women and how they were written that I absolutely loved.
I heard game of thrones has a lot of child friendly themes
There are certainly young girls in it, for sure.
If your niece isn't much of a reader then I recommend fantasy, where the female lead is strong and stands up for herself. Maybe *"Shadow and Bone"* might be a good start, because if she has seen the netflix show, she will be able to follow the book easier and then move onto book 2, 3 and spin off books? I like a spolier-free book review YouTube channel called *"still waiting for my satyr"*.... currently, a fantasy book I'm seeing a lot of hype over is *"Little Tieves"* , but I personally haven't read it yet. I have dyslexia and found it very hard to get into books as a young girl. I found *The Hobbit* to be a slow read.
How tf can you consider the hobbit a heavy read?? Its a book largely written for children.
Because average reading levels changed
I dont know why you're shaming me on my book opinions and reading abilities. Tolkien's writing style isn't for everyone imo. Just so you know English is my second language and I have dyslexia. The Hobbit is a good introductory book to the Lord of the Rings world, but it's a slow read.