Vira was never supposed to be queen so young. How can she be expected to hold her country together when she can't even keep her family in tact? Her sister has run away from court to join a group of outlaws living in the forest. Her half brother is in the dungeon, accused of assassinating Vira's mother, the former queen. Her other brother isn't even talking to Vira, convinced their half brother is innocent. The whole kingdom is angry at her because they think she's hoarding magic and not letting the people have their fair share. But if the truth came out, that the magic reserves are almost gone, there would be nothing to stop their enemies from invading and occupying her country. Each sibling has their own skill set, and despite their estrangement Vira can't trust anyone else. They agree to put aside their differences to find the legendary Ivory Key and restore the land's magic, but each of them have their own plans for what to do with the magic once they find it.

This is a fantastic, Indian-inspired fantasy full of adventure, puzzles, and political intrigue. The chapters alternate among the four siblings and each are well drawn with their own unique perspectives and motivations. I love that the main focus is on these sibling relationships, and the Indiana-Jones like adventure full of dangerous, ancient traps and complex puzzles only adds to the thrill of the story. 

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

Erica's Picks
7th +
​tags: adventure, family life, fantasy, fast-paced, global perspectives, People of Color

It all started with a pesky seagull. When it steals Sofia's ice cream cone, Max offers her a replacement and before they know it that same gull leads them to an abandoned sailboat. Soon the magical boat whisks them away to Hawaii where a nest of baby sea turtles is in trouble. Will Max and Sofia be able to save the turtles with the help of a new friend, Laila? Or will the poor, helpless turtles be doomed?

This is a great early chapter series for animal lovers. The sailboat is magical, but the dangerous situation the sea turtles face is all too real. The ample pictures and short chapters along with fun animal facts and plenty of action make this an engaging read for children just starting chapter books.

Wind Riders #1 Rescue on Turtle Beach by Jen Marlin illustrated by Izzy Burton

Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd grade
tags: adventure, animals, contemporary fiction, issues fiction, magical realism, People of Color

Sarah had no way of knowing that when her father hired a dragon, it would change her life forever. An ordinary girl in a small farming town, she soon found herself in the middle of a prophecy and a deadly conflict that would leave ripples across dimensions. In a world of dragons the real danger comes from humans twisted by both faith and hate into their own powerful forces to be reckoned with.

I absolutely adored this story from its unique, genre-bending premise to the layered characters and the history that is both our own and something different. The rich characterizations kept me fully engaged in the story while the twists in the plot kept me eagerly turning the pages. I have come to expect great things from Patrick Ness, but this may be my favorite of his so far. Not only because it contains dragons, but that certainly doesn't hurt!

Burn by Patrick Ness

Erica's Picks
7th +
​tags: adventure, character driven, fantasy, fast-paced, historical fiction, LGTBQ, People of Color

When Beatryce is discovered by a monk and a goat she is sick and doesn't remember any details of her life, but she does know how to read and write. This shocks everyone as it is illegal for girls to have this knowledge. The monk tries to protect her by shaving her head and dressing her in robes, but soon the king himself comes looking for her, the girl prophesied to dethrone him. Beatryce has a fierce protector in the goat and makes new friends along the way, but will it be enough to save her from the king?

This is an admittedly unusual premise for a children's book, but DiCamillo and Blackall are masters of their craft and they do not disappoint here. The story reads like a classic fairy tale and the cast of quirky characters is sure to draw fans. The moral at the heart about the power of love and story is definitely one I can get behind. My prophecy is that will become a classic and be read aloud by generations.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th
​tags: adventure, animals, fairy tales, historical fiction

Miriam's life is changed forever when her father dies in battle and her mother marries the king. Miram grew up living modestly and hates the politics of court life. She would much rather climb trees in an patched dress than be weighted down in restrictive clothes and heavy jewels for a state ceremony. But even Miriam understands the importance of her baby sister's christening. Miriam adores Aurora, who is particularly vulnerable to the power of Dark Fae at this important moment. Despite everyone's careful plans a Dark Fae arrives to wreak havoc and endanger baby Aurora. When Miriam acts to save her sister, she discovers a hidden power. Miriam's life is changed again as she embraces her new powers and her role as protector to save her sister from whatever comes her way.

This is a great fantasy story full of the glamour of princesses, the adventure of knights, the magic of Fae, and the heart of a loving family. I particularly enjoy how it avoids common, outdated fantasy tropes by allowing for female knights, multiple perspectives, and a loving step-father. The sleeping beauty connection isn't the focus with Aurora remaining a baby throughout, though perhaps that will change in future installments. A refreshing fantasy, plus there's a unicorn and a dragon--what's not to love? 

Briarheart by Mercedes Lackey

Erica's Picks
6th -8th
​tags: adventure, animals, fairy tales, family life, fantasy

When Amari's genius older brother goes missing, she never gives up hope of seeing him again. But she never expected that he'd send her a magical message along with an invitation to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari has her eyes opened to the magical world that's been hiding in plain sight her whole life. She joins the summer program to train future agents, but she's warned that if she fails she'll have all her memories of the supernatural world erased before she's returned to her normal life. Amari is determined to stay in the program and learn the truth about her brother's disappearance, but it isn't easy to be the new scholarship kid competing with legacy candidates whose parents work for the bureau and have been studying their whole lives. Amari finds unusual and mysterious allies, but will it be enough when the same threat that her brother fought comes back to endanger them all?

This has a similar vibe to Harry Potter with a normal kid attending a magical school so that it's sure to appeal to Potterheads. But the story stands fully on its own with a unique setting and characters that in many ways surpasses Harry Potter's world. For starters this world is much richer for the diversity of its characters and its acknowledgement of real-world problems and how they filter into even magical worlds. The characters are fully developed, even the unsympathetic ones. The similarities between Amari's world and ours resonate on a powerful level as Amari fights stereotypes and discrimination in both. Highly recommended for young fantasy fans.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston 

Erica's Picks
3rd - 7th
​tags: adventure, fantasy, fast-paced, friendship, People of Color, social justice, supernatural

Fanciful Wendy and practical Lily are best friends as well as step sisters. At least they used to be. Now their parents are fighting and Wendy is going to spend the summer in New York with her father while Lily stays behind with her mother and baby brother Michael. The night before Wendy leaves, adventure flies through the window. Lily warns Wendy not to follow him, but soon she's flown off with Peter and Michael. Lily teams up with Peter's shadow to follow them. Wendy and Michael soon discover the lost boys aren't what they were expecting while Lily teams up with other native children who have been stolen by Peter over the years so that he can play "Indian" with them. Will the sisters be able to unite and save their baby brother, or will they be stuck in Never Never Land forever?

This thoughtful retelling of the Peter Pan story by an author who is a citizen of the Muscogee nation takes the familiar story and reframes it through a modern lens. The beats and feeling of adventure remain, but the new protagonists provide a different perspective. Both Lily and Wendy turn out to be capable heroines and even characters who make mistakes have the possibility of redemption. A wonderful adventure for a new generation of readers.

Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th
​tags: adventure, family life, fantasy, People of Color, retellings

Hark grew up an orphan in a cruel world. His only friend is Jelt, and even he is willing to put Hark's life on the line for a good enough pay day. Which is how Hark ended up exiled on an island, caring for the old priests who went crazy after the death of their gods fifty years ago. The stories of the gods are terrifying, but with the passage of time some have started to forget or dismiss them as fairy tale. Still, those brave and stupid enough to go diving for their remains can make a fortune selling god parts and harvesting their powers. When Hark makes a life-changing discovery he isn't sure who to trust: his best friend, the old priests, the new zealots, or the genius scientist. His decision will affect not just him, but the whole world as a new reign terror from the gods threatens to begin.

I am in awe of Hardinge's imagination and world-building. The gods have a whiff of Cthulhu about them, but the details of the world are unique. I was completely transported to this strange and terrifying setting as I read. The book has plenty of action, but it does not skimp on character development or haunting questions of morality. Highly recommended for fans of YA speculative fiction.

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge

​Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
tags: adventure, dystopian, fantasy, fast-paced, horror, mythology

 When a villager gets injured and needs money for a doctor, Chaya knows just where to get it. She sneaks into the Queen's chambers while everyone is distracted with a party and steals her jewels. But when her best friend gets blamed for the crime, she knows she has to save him. Soon she's fleeing through the jungle on the King's own elephant. With the King's guard hot on her heels and the dangers of the jungles all around her, Chaya plots to save herself and the rest of the villagers under the King's cruel reign.

I loved the adventures of this young Robin Hood and the Sri Lankan setting was like a character to itself. This fast-paced novel provides plenty of excitement and animal lovers will love the story too. Great for children looking for an adventure or as a read-aloud.

The Girl Who Stole An Elephant by Nizrana Farook
Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th
​tags: adventure, animals, fast-paced, friendship, global perspectives, People of Color, social justice

Ziva creates weapons imbued with magical properties that are coveted across the kingdoms. But she's not a fighter, and even talking to people other than her sister can send her into an anxiety spiral. So when she makes a blade that uncovers a deadly secret, she has no choice but to flee. Soon Ziva, her sister, a scholar, and a mercenary are running for their lives with an entire army hunting them down. How will Ziva ever find safety again, and what other secrets will the blade reveal?

This is a creative premise for a novel that makes me wonder what stories are happening behind the scenes when legendary weapons are created. The way Levenseller portrays Ziva's anxiety really resonated with me and I loved the way the relationships between the characters grew and changed over the course of the novel. A great read for fans of fantasy adventure.

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller

Erica's Picks
8th +
​tags: adventure, family life, fantasy, fast-paced, mental illness, romance