When I started collecting diverse children’s books 25 years ago, most of the books I could find were either historical fiction or realistic fiction. Diverse fantasy books, especially those that were written by authors of the global majority, were hard to find.
For many older elementary and middle school age kids, fantasy books are among their favorites. Who doesn’t want to imagine themselves having extraordinary powers? Or traveling to a magical place to complete a world-changing quest?
In this post, I’m sharing 11 of my favorite diverse fantasy books for ages 7 to 14, most of which are series. Be sure to also check out my dragon-specific list of diverse books, which includes both picture books and chapter books.
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Diverse fantasy books that are series
Girl Giant and the Monkey King by Van Hoang (chapter book series.)
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We have a soft spot in our home for diverse fantasy books that blend the present with centuries-old mythology, as you’ll see when you scan this list.
Middle-schooler Thom Ngho has been struggling ever since her Ma moved them across the country to a new school. At her old school, she loved soccer. On the new team, she’s harboring a secret that makes her teammates think she’s a terrrible player. She’s avoiding the ball because she’s actually freakishly strong.
When Thom’s Ma worries she’s ashamed of her Vietnamese culture, she drags her to the temple. Their visit leads to Thom accidentally releasing the Monkey King, a demon-god, from the imprisonment Buddha sentenced him to. It turns out that the Monkey King is the one person who understands her, even her desire to rid herself of her super strength so she can just be “normal.” But will trusting the Monkey King come with unintended consequences? (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Vietnamese-American author.)
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia (chapter book series.)
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It’s hard to choose a favorite, but this is the best series on this book list, in my opinion. Ever since seventh grader Tristan Strong couldn’t save his best friend Eddie during a tragic bus accident, he’s felt like he’s a disappointment to everyone. He’s training to be a boxer, like his father and all the Strong men before him, but loses his first match.
When his parents decide that a summer on his grandparents’ Alabama farm could help with his healing, things take a strange turn. Tristan’s most prized possession has become Eddie’s journal, where he painstakingly recorded Black folktales.
His first night on the farm, a 10 inch high sap-throwing doll steals the journal. In his haste to get it back, Tristan accidentally rips the fabric of time and space that separate this world from MidPass. Falling through the hole, Tristan is soon trying to escape haunted bone ships and iron monsters that even gods like John Henry and Brer Fox fear. This fantasy story steeped in African and African American lore is rich with symbolism and begs to be read aloud. (Recommended for ages 9 – 13. Black author.)
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (chapter book series.)
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At the posh private school Amari Peters attends, bullies consider any topic fair game, including making fun of Amari that her brother is dead. But Amari knows that Quinton is missing and he’s still alive. When a package is delivered (but a really strange man) for Amari from Quinton, her belief is finally vindicated.
Turns out the package is actually an invitation to an unusual (and super-secret) summer “camp” led by the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Once she arrives, Amari is shocked to learn that Quinton and his partner Maria are incredibly famous within the supernatural world. Amari needs to earn a permanent spot in the Bureau so she can investigate Quinton’s disapperance. But even in this new place where she should belong, some of her fellow trainees want to push her out. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Black author.)
Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee
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This wacky fantasy story that’s both emotionally and culturally rich was a big hit with my tween.
A freak pie accident introduces young Winston Chu to the strange Mr. Pang and his shop filled with “whimsies.” Mr. Pang promises to reward Winston for chasing away burglars with a free item of his choice, but somehow all he ends up with is an old broom and dustpan.
Once he takes his crummy prize home, it quickly becomes clear that these are no ordinary cleaning tools. Soon things start disappearing, including precious momentos Winston’s father left behind before he died in Iraq. Winston and his tight crew of friends will have to take on Mr. Pang, all while keeping things a secret from Winston’s mom, who would never believe the truth about what’s happening. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Chinese-American author.)
Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third (graphic novel series)
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Both the plot and illustrations of Lowriders in Space are truly out of this world! Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria are the finest mechanic and detailing crew around. But they’re tired of working long hours for the jefe at the car dealership while they dream of fixing up their own lowrider.
When they fix up an old car (so low and slow that it won’t go), their job is so extraordinary that it launches them into space. Once they pass the stratosphere, the talented bunch uses the features of different planets to deck the car out even more. (Arab-American author. Mexican-American illustrator. Recommended for ages 7 – 10.)
Related post: Twelve diverse and inclusive graphic novels for ages 7 – 12
The Phoenix on Barkley Street by Zetta Elliott (City Kids chapter book series)
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Zetta Elliott is a Black feminist fantasy writer who self-published her own books for many years before her Dragons in a Bag series was accepted by a publisher. My kiddo loves everything we’ve read by her.
In this first volume of the City Kids series, Carlos and Tariq love playing in the neighborhood playground, but when the big boys take it over, they have to find somewhere else to hang out. The yard of an abandoned house nearby seems like a great secret hide-out, until the boys discover that an ancient phoenix already lives there.
This book combines fantasy, city life, and lessons about standing up to bullies in a compelling way. (Black author. Recommended for ages 7 – 10.)
The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz. Illustrated by Hatem Aly. (Unicorn Rescue Society chapter book series)
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On his very first day at a new school, cautious Elliot has to go on a field trip into the wilderness led by Professor Fauna, the weird and imposing social studies teacher. His new adventurous friend Uchenna informs him that kids say Fauna’s office is a torture chamber, and that he believes in unicorns. But things really get wild when Uchenna finds a strange creature that turns out to the mythical Jersey Devil.
Each of the Unicorn Rescue Society books combines fast-paced adventure, humor, mythology from a particular culture, history, and science in a compelling way. All of the volumes after this first one are co-written by an author from the culture whose mythology is featured in the story. (White Jewish author. Recommended for ages 7 – 10.)
Related post: 9 diverse chapter book series for independent readers
Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond by Sayantani Dasgupta. Illustrated by Vivienne To. (The Serpent’s Secret chapter book series)
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In suburban New Jersey, Kiran and her parents have always stood out. It’s not just that they are Indian-American in a mostly white community. Kiran also feels uncomfortable because her parents are always calling her a princess, while their faded home and worn clothing suggests nothing of the kind.
When Kiran’s parents disappear on her 12th birthday, they leave behind a hastily scrawled note warning her not to let a rakkosh demon into the house, and to trust the princes that will be sent to her. Soon the princes arrive, only to reveal that Kiran is actually a princess, exiled from the Kingdom Beyond Seven Oceans and Thirteen Rivers. As they battle demon creatures so that they can locate Kiran’s parents, Kiran must figure out the strange realm she was born in.
I highly recommend this series not only for its fast-paced adventure and rich cultural content, but also because of its laugh-out-loud, slightly sarcastic humor. (Indian-American author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
Related post: Best children’s books about India
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Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas (chapter book series)
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Hasani has two main goals for the summer: to grow her makeup tutorial YouTube channel, and to reunite her parents. But her summer plans change dramatically after her father reveals that his girlfriend Sandy has moved in with him.
Unbeknowst to Hasani, her rage over this news causes vines to grow all over a major New Orleans bridge, stopping traffic. Through satellite technology, Les Belles Demoiselles, a charm school for witches, observes Hasani’s magical act. When they offer her a scholarship to their coveted program for the summer, Hasani and her mother are both delighted.
But it turns out that almost all the other students have been guided by witches in their families for generations, while Hasani is frequently snubbed because she’s a “wildseed.” Will Hasani learn to refine and control her magical abilities in time to graduate, or will she be the only witch left behind? (Black author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari. (Mars Patel chapter book series)
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Sixth grader Manu (Mars) Patel and his friends are all smart yet continually landing in detention for their pranks. When Mars’ friend Aurora suddenly disappears, he becomes obsessed with finding her. When another friend disappears too, Mars suspects it’s connected to reported disappearances of kids around the world. He and his friends are soon following Mars’ hunch that Pruitt Prep, run by tech billionaire Oliver Pruitt, has something to do with these disappearances.
Not only are the friends a racially diverse group, main character JP is non-binary. In addition to a storyline with many twists and turns, young readers will appreciate the modern touches of podcast transcripts and text exchanges that keep the storyline quickly moving forward. (Indian-American author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles. Illustrated by Dapo Adeola. (Legendary Alston Boys chapter book series.)
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Cousins Otto and Sheed are known throughout Logan County for their ability to solve mysteries, a skill that’s won them several keys to the city. But when a mysterious man shows up with a camera that freezes the entire town in time, the boys need to uplevel their problem-solving skills.
They’ll also have to enlist the help of their rivals, the Ellison twins, science-oriented girls have solved quite a few mysteries themselves. This series moves at breakneck speed, with zany illustrations and quirky characters that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. (Black author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races by K.D. Halbrook (chapter book series)
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Set in a fictional Arab country, this series features a desert girl who longs for nothing more than to live in the oceanside capital cityof Calidia and be a water dragon racer. Silver’s father is training her to become a master jeweler like him, but she has no interest or talent for it.
When Nebekker, an odd old woman who Silver has only know as a weaver, reveals that she too has a love for water dragons, Silver life is turned upside down. Soon she not only meets her first water dragon – an Aquinder who everyone assumed had gone extinct – but she becomes deeply emotionally bonded to young Hiyyan. When the Queen’s star water dragon racer kidnaps Hiyyan’s mother, Silver must run away to Calidia to rescue her. (Lebanese-American author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
Related post: 13 diverse children’s books about dragons for all ages
Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo (chapter book series)
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When Charlie was younger, his abuela told him story after story from Hispanic mythology, making sure he could identify various monsters and witches. He always thought abuela just enjoyed the stories.
After a fire destroys his home and his parents disappear, Charlie’s rapidly goes through strange changes. He first grows a pair of horns, and later in the middle of a school day, sprouts feathers.
Can all of those stories abuela used to tell help him figure out how to deal with all these mysterious manifestations? This fast-paced book is bursting with cliff hangers, hilarious zingers, awkward incidents, Latin American folklore, and epic adventure that will keep kids reading for hours at a time. (Latino author. Recommended for ages 10 – 14.)
Related post: 12 middle grades books by Latino authors
Diverse fantasy books (stand alone chapter books that are not part of a series)
Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Sisters of the Neversea is my favorite diverse fantasy book right now because of how Cynthia Leitich Smith has taken the story of Peter Pan and flipped it on its head.
Stepsisters Wendy and Lily are facing a temporary separation of their family (which threatens to become permanent if their parents keep fighting.) When Peter and Belle show up talking about the magic of Neverland, adventurous Wendy (who is English) takes off, along with their little brother Michael. Level-headed Lily (who is Muscogee Creek) is appalled and sets out to find them.
Once on the island, both girls soon become alarmed by Peter’s controlling ways, his disregard for Michael’s safety, his racism and sexism, and his attack on the island’s animals.
There’s still plenty of magic in this beautifully written tale, but it’s clear that Peter is not the hero of the story. That role goes to Lily and Wendy, who are willing to grow up while still embracing wonder and adventure. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Muscogee Creek author.)
Related post: 15 Indigenous children’s books set in the present day
Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber
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Sami loves hearing her Lebanese grandma Teta’s stories about Flickers and Ifrits, magical sprites that can be summoneded by dreams and spells. In fact, Sami is the only one who can understand Teta these days, and her mother is sure Teta is slipping into dementia.
Teta has promised to show Sami her spell book when she turns 12, but in her desperation to keep Teta out of a nursing home Sami consults it on her own. Soon she has walked through an ornate Bedouin mirror into Silverworld, which reflects but is very different from her own world.
At first Sami is laser focused on returning to her home, but the longer she stays the more it seems she might be in Silverworld for a purpose. Could she have a unique role to play in the Flickers’ efforts to save themselves from Queen Nixie’s Shadow soldiers? (Jordanian-American author. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.)
2 responses to “Diverse fantasy books for ages 7 – 14”
Just put a bunch of these on hold (okay, maybe all of them) through interlibrary loan! These types of stories are also well loved at my house. We are currently reading Dragons in a Bag and I was excited to see more by the same author!
Enjoy! Fantasy books are so much fun.