#BooksForMiddleGraders

The Marvellers
Description

Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies.

Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn’t easy—some Marvellers mistrust her magic, which they deem “bad and unnatural.” But eventually, she finds friends in elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures.

When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror’s aid, tensions grow in the Marvellian world and Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family’s name and track down her mentor before it’s too late.

Author: Dhonielle Clayton Illustrator: Khadijah Khatib AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
Frankie Best Hates Quests
Description

Frankie Best likes watching YouTube and eating Pot Noodles. She doesn’t like being forced to embark on mega-dangerous quests. Nope, no thank you. But that’s exactly what she has to do when what was supposed to be a quiet weekend at her Grandad’s house turns into an epic rescue mission. It’s down to Frankie and her brother Joel to save their Grandad when he is kidnapped by gnoblins (yes, gnoblins!). The pair head off to a magical realm where they encounter creatures, terrifying enemies, and worst of all – no Wi-Fi!

Author: Chris Smith & Kenneth Anderson AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
Orpans Of The Tide
Description

The City was built on a sharp mountain that jutted improbably from the sea, and the sea kept trying to claim it back. That grey morning, once the tide had retreated, a whale was found on a rooftop. 
When a mysterious boy washes in with the tide, the citizens believe he's the Enemy - the god who drowned the world - come again to cause untold chaos.Only Ellie, a fearless young inventor living in a workshop crammed with curiosities, believes he's innocent.But the Enemy can take possession of any human body and the ruthless Inquisition are determined to destroy it forever. 
To save the boy, Ellie must prove who he really is - even if that means revealing her own dangerous secret . . . 
 

Author: Struan Murray Illustrator: Manuel Sumberac AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
Redwall
Description

Redwall Abbey, tranquil home to a community of peace-loving mice, is threatened by the evil, one-eyed rat warlord Cluny the Scourge and his battle-hardened horde of predators.Cluny is certain that Redwall will fall easily to his fearsome army but he hasn't bargained for the courage and strength of the Redwall mice and their loyal woodland friends . . . 
 

Author: Brian Jacques Illustrator: Gary Chalk AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
Frostheart
Description

Way out in the furthest part of the known world, a tiny stronghold exists all on its own, cut off from the rest of human-kin by monsters that lurk beneath the Snow Sea.

There, a boy called Ash waits for the return of his parents, singing a forbidden lullaby to remind him of them... and doing his best to avoid his very, VERY grumpy yeti guardian, Tobu.

But life is about to get a whole lot more crazy-adventurous for Ash.

When a brave rescue attempt reveals he has amazing magical powers, he's whisked aboard the Frostheart, a sleigh packed full of daring explorers who could use his help. But can they help him find his family . . . ?

Author: Jamie Littler Illustrator: Jamie Littler AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
A Wizard of Earthsea
Description

The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatest - and surely the greatest voyager - is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy, he discovered the great power that was in him - with terrifying consequences. Tempted by pride to try spells beyond his means, Sparrowhawk lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land. Only he can destroy it, and the quest leads him to the farthest corner of Earthsea.

Author: Ursula Le Guin AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Fiction
Double Trouble
Description

Ivy and Maggie have been best friends ever since they were born at exactly the same minute on Friday 13th - twelve years ago. They're always on the lookout for their next adventure, and, when strange and mysterious things start to happen in Crowood Peak, it's up to them to work out what's going on.

All the evidence points to the old house next door with purple smoke coming out of the chimney, and a new owner who looks suspiciously like a witch!

Can Ivy and Maggie solve the mystery of Hokum House, or will this adventure spell more mischief than even the Double Trouble Society can manage?

Author: Carrie Hope Fletcher Illustrator: Davide Ortu AgeGroup: 9-12 Genre: Fiction