stories in and

I will Paint the Night by Sam Muller

Allii has a busy schedule Stay alive Find the killer of her beloved stepmother Stop her father's people from decimating her mother's people. Allii is 17. She has no family to back her, no army to protect her, no manifest destiny awaiting her. Just Spooky, a daemon-dog who thinks humankind is beyond redemption. I will Paint the Night is a murder mystery set in a fantasy land of magic and dragons, a tale of betrayal, dysfunctional families, and friendships that save worlds.


The Fateful Curse by Kirsten Hardin

Chryssa, a fairy, lives in a realm called Fairborn. She has a comfortable life … until she’s summoned to break a curse on Astra, a young human girl. Tensions quickly grow, as Chryssa despises all humans. And the effects of the curse are worsening. Will Chryssa complete her task? Or will Fairborn go to war with the human world?


An Echo of the Fae by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Echo enjoys the peace and solitude of the Faeorn forest, regardless of how strange spending time in the "haunted" wood seems to others. But on the cusp of her thirteenth birthday, the discovery of a family secret reveals why Echo has never been drawn to the sea like her mother. This discovery shakes the foundations of her world and sends Echo on a quest, not merely into the forest, but into the heart of the fae-lands themselves, to rescue the sister she didn't know existed. Elves, dragons, and fairy courts will put Echo's wit and resolve to the test. But with time running out for her sister, will Echo even be able to save herself? A fairytale adventure perfect for fans of The Secret of Roan Innish and The Girl Who Drank the Moon.


River of Crows by N.P. Thompson

Ty Baxter just wants to survive seventh grade without dying of boredom or getting flattened by the school bully. But when he tries to help an injured crow, his ordinary life is suddenly upended. Now trapped in a secret, magical world, Ty finds himself at the center of a cryptic prophecy, and the target of a brutal emperor who will stop at nothing to protect his power. In a desperate gamble, Ty struggles to control his emerging magical Talent so he can help his friends rescue their kidnapped family members before the emperor uses his dark sorcery to transform them into birds and enslaves them forever as soldiers in his enchanted avian army.


Smoochy and the Maga by Lea Kinley

Okay, okay. I admit I was bored with the tedium of my centuries of work as a magical Familiar. But did I really deserve to be punished with an assignment on Earth of all places? My employer, The Society for the Conservation of Wholeness, tasked me with locating a fellow Familiar that appeared to be working for a destructive wizard . . . which is a big no-no according to our employment contract. While Earth is generally a non-magical, dull, and undesirable location, I never thought I’d have any trouble at all with the assignment . . . until I realized I knew far less about Earth than I needed to and my enemy, the destructive wizard, knew far more than I did. The stakes were high for me for the first time in tens of thousands of years . . . had I finally met my match? Smoochy and the Maga is a fun, fanciful, and charming middle-grade urban fantasy novel by introductory author, Lea Kinley. The perfect cozy fantasy for tweens, teens, and the young at heart. Recommended for grade five and up or ages 9 and up.


The Dragon Hunters by James Russell

Away across the oceans, where few have dared to roam, upon a wondrous island, a family made its home. Living on an island means life is full of adventure for brothers Flynn and Paddy. So when a dragon swoops out of the sky and nabs their beloved dog, Coco, Flynn and Paddy know it's up to them to bring her home. That night, they pack their bags, make some terrible sandwiches, and set off on an epic adventure... See the map in this book come alive! Includes BONUS Dragon Brothers map in 3D for your phone or tablet! Download the free AR Reads app on your Android--or iOS--compatible smartphone or tablet to see and hear dragons fly, geysers gush, and get a glimpse of your favorite characters in action!


The Revenge of Bridget Cleary by Mathilda Zeller

SPFBO9

Are you a witch, or are you a fairy, or are you the daughter of Bridget Cleary? Exiled for a murder her father committed, Brigid Cleary has until midsummer to gather what she needs for readmission to her home in the fairy mound: a chest of stolen gold and a chest full of her father’s blood. With nothing but her own wits and an ability to be mostly unseen, she takes a position as a scullery maid in a country manor house, where stealing gold is easy as dusting the candlesticks. When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies. With gold filling her pockets and her father newly released from prison, the path back to the fairies should be clear. Or would be, were it not for her growing feelings for Edmund, the gentle young lord who hired her to spy on his sister; her burgeoning sense of loyalty and friendship to Adelaide, the sister upon whom she was meant to spy; and the unsettling question of whether she should--or even could--bloodily avenge her mother’s death. Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, the struggle for Irish Home Rule, and events surrounding the late pre Raphaelite artistic movement, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary has been heralded by author Joanna Ruth Meyer as "equal parts haunting, compelling, and throughtful."


The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons by Virlyce

Blue mages learn skills from beasts. This is the story of one fortunate enough to be taken in by dragons.


4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss

14-year old Aaron Greenburg is trapped in a vegetative state. He's awake and aware of everything around him, but the doctors don't realize it. After being placed in a care facility, he receives a new roommate--an old eccentric jazz musician with dementia. When Aaron talks in his mind to stay sane, the old man hears his thoughts and replies. But no one believes the old man because they think he's crazy. And when the old man thinks he's living in the past with his dementia episodes, it pulls Aaron into those moments in time and he gets to experience 1920's New York City, World War II, and much more as the two develop an unlikely and unique friendship. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a humorous and heartwarming coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination and renew your faith in the power of friendship.


Earthking by Christopher C. Hall

When a killer strikes from the shadows young prince Colmeron is torn from the comfort of his father’s castle and sent into hiding with the man he's sure is the traitor. Secluded in a distant refuge, Col comes to know the power of his ancestors, the Earthkings: men with the power to shape and control the land. But will that be enough to save the kingdom when an ancient enemy returns to free their long captive master?


A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert

When an assassin kills Princess Jiara’s older sister Scilla, her vengeful ghost is doomed to walk their city of glittering canals, tormenting loved ones until the murderer is brought to justice. While the entire kingdom mourns, Scilla’s betrothed arrives and requests that seventeen-year-old Jiara take her sister’s place as his bride to confirm the alliance between their countries. ​Marrying the young king intended for her sister and traveling to his distant home is distressing enough, but with dyslexia and years of scholarly struggles, Jiara abandoned any hope of learning other languages long ago. She’s terrified of life in a foreign land where she’ll be unable to communicate. Then Jiara discovers evidence that her sister’s assassin comes from the king’s own country. If she marries the king, Jiara can hunt the murderer and release her family from Scilla’s ghost, whose thirst for blood mounts every day. To save her family, Jiara must find her sister’s killer . . . before he murders her too.


Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren

The Kingdom of Septima is ruled in all but name by the Commune, a ruthless cult that seeks control of an ancient power that has taken root in unsuspecting children in Septima. To maintain their hold on the kingdom, the Commune will stop at nothing to capture children who show signs of this power, to be weaponised or eliminated. 18-year-old Evelyn Folksman is in hiding. Taken in by a tavern-owner, she is haunted by the horrific events that drove her from her home years before. Evelyn is forced to face her past when two wayward children, Raif and Rose Huntsman, arrive at the tavern, pursued by Commune soldiers. The children fall under Evelyn’s reluctant care as the trio narrowly escape a raid. Relentlessly hunted by Commander Jonah Sulemon and Commune agent Lord Eirik Torrant, Evelyn and Raif cannot fathom why they pose such a threat to the Commune, until six-year-old Rose unwittingly reveals a terrible secret: she possesses powers more fearsome than any the Commune has unearthed in decades. There are only two options: to be captured and imprisoned, or to run for the rest of their lives.


The Problem With Fae by Emma Bradley

A new gift, the next assignment, and a realm full of elitist Fae - beating the Forgotten on their own territory is going to be Demi's biggest challenge yet. For Demi, achieving her dream and becoming a member of Faerie headquarters should be a reason to celebrate. But that was before her new gift started causing problems. Then she's thrown onto her second assignment at Gallows Oak, a realm full of ruthless, trickster Fae. Her task: find and expose the Forgotten 24 club. Simple, except the Forgotten are the enemy and hate half-bloods like her. With a target on her back and no clue where to hunt for the mysterious 24 club, Demi faces controlling her new gift amid the increasing hostilities from those around her. At least this time her best friend Taz will be going with her, even if he is hiding secrets of his own... Welcome to Gallows Oak, Where the Fae always win.


The Trouble With Fairies by Emma Bradley

All Demi Darcy dreams of is a new life. Tormented by her human sisters for being born part-fairy, she wants to find somewhere she can truly belong. When she is invited to join Arcanium, one of the most prestigious organisations that oversees all Faerie realms, she believes it's her big chance. But all is not well in Faerie. Despite her best efforts to stay out of trouble, Demi soon stumbles on a plot to murder the Queen by an outcast group of Court Fae. Their goal? Return Faerie to the dark days of old, when humans were used for sport and half-breed fairies were ostracised. Letting the Queen die isn’t something Demi's willing to do, but neither is ruining her chance at a new life. A choice must be made, but time is short and life in Faerie soon turns out to be more dangerous than Demi's darkest nightmares.


Devil's Deal by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When two angels break their deal with the Devil, he comes for the one they’re trying to protect. 16-year-old Eleonora Santos works through the summer break so she can visit her family in Italy when she graduates. With the new school year around the corner, her focus is back on homework and enjoying life with her tight group of friends. But on their first day back, she finds them fawning over two new guys in their class—Ben and Danny. Not a day goes by before Nora’s life is turned upside down. Her best friend now hates her, and the boys seem eager to get to know her. Despite their charming efforts, she’d rather have her best friend, not a boyfriend. When Nora discovers Ben and Danny are not who they claim to be, and their nefarious deal goes wrong, Nora is caught in the middle. To fix their mistakes, she must face the Devil and betray herself—or pay with her life. Devil's Deal is a YA romance novel with a paranormal twist set in the Dutch fictional city Lakeside. The Infernal Contracts trilogy is perfect for fans of the Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, and Fallen.


Lucifer's Favour by Tessa Hastjarjanto

SFFOasis

When a demon takes over Hell, you turn to the one you fear the most. After Nora’s encounter with Beelzebub she can no longer escape the supernatural world–she is marked for life. The demon’s sinister plans will hurt the people she cares about, and the only way to restore order is to track down Lucifer and convince him to reclaim his throne. Lucifer has his own agenda for staying on Earth and faces threats he’s never seen before. His escapades draw the attention of Earthly demons, ones he doesn’t control, and they’re ready to protect their territory. Nora and her friends must unite and persuade Lucifer while escaping the dangers and temptations of supernaturals. Living on the edge of the mundane world and the supernatural world challenges Nora and her friends to look beyond what they know, and believe.


Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler by Charon Dunn

SPSFC 2022

Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler is about a teenage girl who was innocently trying to listen to some live music … her favorite boy band happened to be playing a festival on a dinosaur planet … when bad things suddenly happened. Now she and her trusty robot are all alone in the wilderness, picking up survival skills and looking for her favorite singer, Sebastian Rose, just in case he needs to be rescued. There’s hard science, explosions, plenty of dinosaurs (with feathers), diversity, no sex (although there are a few references to it), less violence than many dinosaur stories, cliffhangers galore, and a little bogus science just to honor the fine tradition of speculative fiction (what if raptors had syrinxes and could sing like birds?).


Tracker220 by Jamie Krakover

SPSFC SPSFC 2022

When everyone has a brain-interfacing tracking chip, one glitch threatens the entire network. Sixteen-year-old Kaya Weiss is that glitch. Through thoughts and blinks, Kaya can access anyone or anything on the tracker network. But the authorities monitor everything--where Kaya goes, who she talks to, and what she searches. And without the ability to turn it off, Kaya and her family can't observe a tech-free Shabbat. To fix the glitch, the authorities slice into her skull to reset her tracker, leaving Kaya to question more than the system's invasion into her faith. Kaya won't be a lab rat again. Evading the authorities requires some serious tech skills the rogue underground Ghosts can offer. But Kaya's not sure she can trust them--even if their top tech wiz, Bailen, has interest in her running deeper than her bum tracker. Kaya must decide if gaining freedom is worth losing her tracker's infinite knowledge--because to take down the tracker network, she must betray the only tech she's ever known.


Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees by Robert Kent

SPSFC

Fifth grader Ellicott Skullworth has always felt out of place at public school and now he's tested into the Archimedes Program at Latimer University. While in Latimer City, he’ll be living with his world famous and insane(ly) brilliant cousin, Banneker Bones, the eleven-year-old inventor of robots. The only problem: Banneker doesn't want to share his room. And he's got an army of robots to make Ellicott miserable until he goes home. When the boys are ambushed by robot bees as big as cars, Ellicott's only friend is carried off and held for ransom. To rescue him, Ellicott has no choice but to partner with his maniacal cousin. Ellicott doesn't know what's worse: facing a hive of giant robot bees or spending more time with Banneker Bones. BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES is a humorous, science fiction adventure for readers of all ages written in the spirit of a comic book.


The Centaur Wars by Roz Evans

A rollicking modern fantasy! Sixteen-year-old Dee Markappen is flunking Chemistry, flunking History, and flunking basically everything else. Biology, though—Bio is great. She’s grown up next to a haunted forest that contains impossible creatures, and she wants to know why: snakes with wings. Toads with feathers. Surely there’s an explanation. Everything changes when Dee finds an injured centaur chained beneath an old motel. He’s shackled. He’s furious. He’s disgusted at being captured by humans. And he’s exactly the source of information Dee needs. Every member of her family dies young. Her mother is involved in something gruesome. Despite Dee’s lifelong efforts, she hasn’t learned why. So, Dee strikes a bargain with this half-crazed centaur. In exchange for his freedom he’ll give her the answers she seeks. His herd is murderous. Even worse foes lay beyond the haunted forest. But if Dee can survive the journey, the distant homeland of her ancestors holds not just the source of impossible beasts, but the greatest secret ever hidden from humankind… Featuring an inconveniently-attractive sidekick and a temperamental centaur, this banter-filled romp is sure to please fans of adventure and magic.


Chase: The Boy Who Hid by Z Jeffries

Don't run from your feelings. Run from the killer robot hunting you. Chase refuses to believe Grandad is dead. When he skips the old man’s funeral, he finds shape shifting tech, Grandad’s invention and the first hint of a secret life. Then his old teammates show up at Chase’s, recruiting him to pilot the tech. Trusting these strangers, risking his life piloting this bleeding edge technology is the only way to find out if Grandad is still alive. It all leads to the Military Camouflage Challenge, a clash of billion-dollar armor prototypes against clones and drones, and a classified game of hide-and-seek. That’s why the team wants to train Chase. It’s also the last place anyone saw Grandad. If he’s going to learn the truth, Chase must train, qualify, and survive the deadly game. Given the chance, he’ll do anything to reunite his family, including double-crossing his new teammates...or even risk disappearing himself. Chase: The Boy Who Hid is the action-packed first book of the Hide & Seek Chronicles, the teen Sci-Fi adventure series. If you like fast-paced sci-fi, lqbtq representation, and adventure stories for all ages, you have to follow Chase: The Boy Who Hid today!


Djinn Tamer: Starter by A.J. Cerna & Derek Alan Siddoway

SPFBO7

Tame. Train. Battle. Fans of Pokémon, Digimon, and Monster Rancher love this monster-battling series! Jackson Hunt dreams of becoming a professional monster tamer — to raise magical creatures called Djinn and battle them in the big leagues. Unfortunately for Jackson, dreams and reality don’t always coincide. Facing bank foreclosure, Jackson is desperate to save his family's home. Discovering a young, untrained Djinn is just the chance he's been waiting for. But can Jackson and his Djinn level up fast enough? Taming isn’t as easy as the pros make it look. As time runs out, Jackson delves into the shady world of underground fighting, experiences the agony of defeat and learns what it takes to be a true monster tamer.


Fableman by Brad Carsten

SPFBO7

People say that if Charlie Pratt had a penny for every blunder, he'd fill his pockets and then misplace his trousers. When Charlie tries to learn more about Dalia Addair, the peculiar girl who lives in the haunted manor on the edge of town, he accidentally slots himself into her magical trial—a trial that she has spent her whole life preparing for; he gets a day. But something's wrong; the trial is unleashing monsters that haven't been seen for centuries, and powerful forces are determined to stop them at any cost. Without knowing whom they can trust, Dalia and Charlie must work together to survive, and finish the trials, if they don't strangle each other first. Quirky, fast-paced, and brimming with action, Fableman is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that proves how even the most unlikely of heroes will step forward... when there's a ten-foot troll screaming after him.


Oh Wretched Moon by Kate Ramsey

SPFBO7

They were never supposed to meet. Stolen at birth and brought up underground, Luna knows nothing but darkness and isolation. When disaster drives her out of the only home she knows, she stumbles into a world of wonders. But monstrous creatures lurk in corridors—and then there’s the mysterious stranger who disappears when danger strikes. Raised by a witch, Aethon has been taught to worship strength and fear nothing. When a hunting expedition keeps him out past curfew, he finally encounters a threat his courage cannot face. With the help of a strange girl he survives the harrowing night, but his life has already begun to crumble. As opposite worlds collide, they will need to rely upon each other to find freedom. But which is more dangerous: captivity or escape? In Oh Wretched Moon, Kate Ramsey puts a new spin on a beloved fairy tale about power, love, and moonlight. If you love stories about dangerous magic, courageous women, and daring escapes, you’ll love this spellbinding fantasy.


The Wizard of New York City by Randall P. Girdner

SPFBO7

On the students' trip to New York City, the wolves rounded up the people. Then the trolls sealed off the edges of the island with stacks of crushed cars, and the goblins set about constructing a portal; a portal that would bring something horrible to this world…and all of this happened before the students had even left the American Museum of Natural History. Now, armed with strange weapons they acquired in the museum, seven students find themselves on the run in a frightening urban environment overtaken with dragons, ogres, and an undead populace intent on changing the city into a fortress. Nothing will ever be the same again. The Wizard of New York City tells the tale of seven teenagers trapped in Manhattan as a world of fantastic creatures and bizarre beings invade the island. As they struggle to stay alive in the face of dangers they can barely comprehend, the students soon realize that there is a reason they are still alive, and that reason will place a heavy burden on not just them, but the whole world...


Snowborn by Larema Dixon

SPFBO7

A millennium has passed since the small world of Incari was struck by a meteor known as the Kutsal Stone. In the celestial object's wake, two powerful inhabitants of another realm—beings of light and creatures of shadow—ravaged the land with war until they were ultimately banished. Time distorted tales of these god-like creatures into myth and legend, but Princess Elurra quickly finds there is legitimacy amongst the lore. After her parents' deaths pave the way for her exiled aunt to claim the throne, she finds herself desperate and on the run. Elurra must uncover the truth about magic and untwist the legends of old in order to protect the future of her homeland and thwart her aunt's malicious plots. Mysterious visions lead Elurra and her unlikely allies down a path to the truth; however, they find the conflicts of the past may be impossible to repair before they rip Incari apart.


The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele

SPFBO7 Indie Recs Indie

TJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into it… until now. Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ’s world. Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa—a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans. But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the Orishas. Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African gods, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas.


Squire George & The Dragon by Adam Digger Stolz

SPFBO7

A Reluctant Squire vs. An Invincible Dragon Squire George has no aptitude for (and even less interest in) being a knight, a hero or a dragonslayer. He also has no choice in the matter. It is, after all, the family business. So he shouldn’t be surprised when his father sends him off to chase after rumors of a mighty dragon in a faraway land. He shouldn’t be, but he still is. With an unfunny fool, a cursed wizard and a black-hearted knight for companions, it isn’t long before Squire George comes up against wispy zephyr-fiends, vengeful nar and single-mindedly stupid crorks. He also survives a trufflehump, befriends a bridge troll and meets an old crone to whom he might or might not be related. None of which helps prepare him to kill an unkillable dragon.


I Am King: Book One by Damien Shillingford

SPFBO7

Ten year old Beaumont never meant to get anyone killed. But when Rancine, the man who murdered his mother and father, sent assassins to capture him and deprive him of his right to his father’s stolen crown, the weight of his destiny came crashing down on him and his loved ones. After the assassination of the King and Queen of the Middle Island’s, young Prince Beaumont was taken from the island nation and hidden away in the secluded mountain village of Mount Hope in the newly discovered realm of Hattan, waiting for the day he was a man and could reclaim his stolen crown from his families killer. But the arrival of a warrior named Nisila and her mysterious raven Shadowcry, changed all his plans and at ten years of age Beau must brave the wilderness with his cousin Julius as they flee for their lives. With the help of Nisila, Shadowcry, Julius and a foul mouthed, ill-tempered sellsword named Gavin, Beau must brave harsh winter storms, mythical creatures, forsaken ghouls, black magic, determined assassins and a powerful demon in hopes of making it back to the safety of his homeland in the Middle Islands. This is a character driven story, about survival, trust, friendship and overcoming adversity. Readers who enjoyed such fantasy works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones) and Poul Anderson’s The Broken Sword will enjoy the nostalgic, classic fantasy vibe of I Am King. With lead characters of color and a pinch of influence from West Indian folklore, readers can expect a classic fantasy tale with diverse representation and plenty of the elements that make classic fantasy memorable and exciting. With no sexual content or strong adult language, this is the perfect gift for young readers of fantasy/action adventure.


Girlgoyle by Better Hero Army

SPFBO7

Now that Tiffany Noboru is dead, being forced to become a fresh recruit in the gargoyle ghost hunter corps is the least of her worries. Soon she is meeting bizarre new people, discovering her magical abilities, and learning the landscape of a strange and captivating world where gargoyles protect the living by hunting ghosts. When her own killer, a maniacal ghost named Bones, comes after her again, Tiffany must find a way to defeat him in order to save the gargoyle world.


Little White Hands by Mark Cushen

SPFBO7

Almost five hundred years have passed since the Seasons were at war. Half a millennium since Winter defied Spring, and lost. Generations have come and gone, not knowing the bitter freeze and howling snows of Winter ever existed. But now, after centuries of silence, the participants in this ancient struggle have resurfaced and reignited their feud on the doorstep of an unassuming little kitchen boy. Garlan’s dreams of being just like the knights he idolizes may not be as impossible as he has always been led to believe, when he is chased from his home and thrust headlong into the kind of adventure he had only ever read about in books. Setting out on a journey that spans the entire kingdom of Faeland, Garlan will traverse impossible mountains and stormy seas and battle terrible monsters, all to keep the world he knows safe from an enemy who will stop at nothing to bring about a never-ending winter. With a cast of fantastical characters to aid him in his quest, can Garlan overcome his self-doubt and find the courage he needs to rise above his humble station and become the hero he always dreamed of being? The fate of the world rests in his hands.


The Frights of Fiji by Sunayna Prasad

A world of magic and adventure awaits… Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa McCarthy longs for the life she used to have—one filled with fun and love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the window that will change everything. "Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere." Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using Alyssa’s friends, to ensure he is triumphant. Originally titled "From Frights to Flaws", this story is the exciting and enchanting first book in the "Magical Missions" series.


Sol Invictus (The Eye of Ra Book 2) by Ben Gartner

Siblings John and Sarah barely made it home last time, but in their next time traveling adventure the challenge really heats up. Surrounded by clashing cultures on the ancient Roman frontier, they must fulfill their quest to unite the emperor with his enemy, an Alemanni barbarian, or risk being stuck in time forever. An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series!


Tommy Black and the Staff of Light (Tommy Black #1) by Jake Kerr

SPFBO6

A magical legacy that isn't what it seems! For fourteen-year-old Tommy Black, nothing is worse than being raised by an overprotective grandfather in the city that never sleeps. That is until his grandfather is captured by magical creatures and Tommy has to save him with his family's magical staff. That wouldn't be so bad, but the only magic he can do with the staff is weak--making light. What the heck can you do with light? Tommy finds out as he fights golems, shadow creatures, and djinn in a journey that features a magical river, an enchanted train, and an illusionary fortress. But the worst part of all? Tommy has to save his grandfather with the help of Naomi, a girl whose talent with magic is only rivaled by her ability to hurl insults. From Nebula, Sturgeon, and Million Writers Award nominee Jake Kerr comes the Tommy Black trilogy, an action adventure series for readers of all ages.


Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows (The Elandrian Chronicles #1) by J.M. Bergen

SPFBO6

Thomas thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly he’s faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale.


The Pygmy Dragon (Shapeshifter Dragon Legends #1) by Marc Secchia

SPFBO6

Yesterday, a Dragon kidnapped me from my cage in a zoo. Stolen from her jungle home and sold to a zookeeper, Pip knows only a world behind bars, a world in which a Pygmy warrior and her giant ape friends are a zoo attraction. She dreams of being Human. She dreams of escaping to the world outside her cage. Then, the Dragon Zardon kidnaps her into a new life. Pip rides Dragonback across the Island-World to her new school - a school inside a volcano. A school where Humans learn to be Dragon Riders. But this is only a foretaste of her magical destiny, for the Dragon Assassins are coming. They have floated an Island across the Rift and their aim is nothing less than the massacre of all Dragons. Now, the courage of the smallest will be tested to the utmost. For Pip is the Pygmy Dragon, and this is her tale.


On Winter's Eve by C.D. Alexander

SPFBO6

Winters in Bern are long and cold and deep. On winter nights, when the snow is falling, Pippa goes to sleep knowing she’ll wake up to tracks in front of her farmhouse. The tracks are small, and they come from the woods—those same woods that her mother says are full of witches and elves and trolls, and her father says are full of wolves and bears and demons. But these tracks are the Tompte’s, and he is a friendly creature. Or at least that’s what Pippa hopes. . . The Tompte borrows and mends things, he takes and he sometimes leaves things, and such is life on a farm at the edge of the realm. Her mother calls it tradition. Her father calls it a curse. And when things start going missing and trouble comes their way, Pippa’s not sure what to believe. Soon enough, she'll have no choice but to go into the woods to find out. . .


Finding Fairy Tales by Kate Ramsey

SPFBO6

Imagination is outlawed. Fairy Tale herself is imprisoned. Molly has never heard a bedtime story… or any kind of story. But her daydreams are full of impossible wonders nonetheless. She's kept her unruly imagination hidden for years, but she knows her luck won't last. The emperor has eyes everywhere. Even in her own house. Hatch knows it's risky even to dream of adventures beyond his home, but he can't help himself. Worse, the end of 7th grade is approaching. That means enrollment in the dreaded Institute, where there's no chance of keeping his illegal imagination under the radar, and not everyone makes it out alive. When a government agent appears on Molly's doorstep, the two children must flee together or risk arrest, but an impassable wasteland lies between them and freedom. Then they learn astonishing secrets about their pasts, and realize there is more at stake than their safety. To fulfill an ancient prophecy, the two embark on a dangerous quest to rescue Fairy Tale. But will they outwit the emperor's henchmen and reach her before it's too late?


Earthcore Book 3: Aftershocks by Grace Bridges

SPFBO6

They saved a town with the help of the creatures that command the geysers. They saved a city from volcanic eruption. Surely they've earned a break? Tell that to the Titanosaur. Now the faultline network is active, threatening all of central New Zealand with aftershocks that might be bigger than the initial event. Amateur geologist Anira Fraser is in Picton, facing her final high school athletics competition. Along with her friend Tiger McRae, she realises their presence is disturbing the area's guardian spirits. Soon other Earthcore members arrive in town and discover an old enemy stirring up fresh trouble, while the locals hint at the legend of a mysterious taniwha war that could worsen the series of quakes. It's up to Anira and the Earthcore team to find the cause of the war and end it--otherwise they themselves could be responsible for a cataclysmic natural disaster.


Awakening: Dragonborn Series, Book One by Brett Humphrey

SPFBO6

I soared high in the night sky in the most realistic dream I'd ever had. At least, I think it was a dream. * * * On the eve of his thirteenth birthday, Alister Drake believed he was a typical middle-school-aged boy—until he grew four inches overnight. Developing superhuman abilities that rivaled those of characters in books and movies he and his friends cherished, he struggled to understand how his life had turned upside down so suddenly and so completely. Little did he know how drastically his life was about to change, challenging everything he'd experienced as true and right in the world. Accompanied by his two best friends and led by a teacher who was much more than he seemed, Alister was about to embark on an adventure that surpassed anything he'd read or seen in movies. Extraordinarily morally centered for his age, surrounded by family and friends he loved unconditionally, Alister stepped into the unknown with one clear goal in mind… Protect the Weak!


Emma and the Minotaur by Jon Herrera

SPFBO6 WriteHive Book Club

A love letter to innocence, magic, and fantasy. The residents of the City of Saint Martin are disappearing. Those who hear the music of the forest are compelled to follow it and are never seen again. At the same time, creatures of myth and legend are returning to our world. Led by the colossal Minotaur, they hide in the shadows of Glenridge Forest, waiting for a day soon to come. Why are they here? What is the World of Light? Join young Emma Wilkins as she uncovers the truth behind the mystery and learns the identity of the great power behind it all. Like a song in the wind, the tale drifted out into the world. It started its journey in a dark glade deep inside Glenridge Forest. Those who had been there to witness the story carried it with them into the City of Saint Martin. From there, told and retold, the tale transformed and grew wings of its own. Farther and farther, the tale flew, reshaping itself into the form given to it by the voice of the teller. The story morphed and shifted, ever molding itself to the temperament of the land beneath it. The tale reached every corner of the world. To some, it was only a children's bedtime story. But others, in times to come, would find in it solace and truth.


Esme's Wish (Esme Trilogy Book 1) by Elizabeth Foster

This was her last chance. Her hand twisted high in the air. When fifteen-year-old Esme Silver objects at her father’s wedding, her protest is dismissed as the action of a stubborn, selfish teenager. Everyone else has accepted the loss of Esme’s mother, Ariane—so why can’t she? But Esme is suspicious. She is sure that others are covering up the real reason for her mother’s disappearance—that ‘lost at sea’ is code for something more terrible, something she has a right to know. After Esme is accidentally swept into the enchanted world of Aeolia, the truth begins to unfold. With her newfound friends, Daniel and Lillian, Esme retraces her mother’s steps in the glittering canal city of Esperance, untangling the threads of Ariane’s double life. But the more Esme discovers about her mother, the more she questions whether she really knew her at all. Esme's Wish is first in an MG-to-YA fantasy adventure series for readers 10-14 years, or anyone who enjoys escaping to another world. Appeals to fans of Narnia and Percy Jackson.


Liberty Frye and the Witches of Hessen by J.L. McCreedy

The average ten-year-old girl seldom travels far from home. She doesn't worry about being kidnapped by witches or imprisoned in medieval castles where children meet their unspeakable demise. She rarely gives thought to curses, potions and magic. She certainly isn't risking life and limb to decipher ancient rites and lost treasures .... But Liberty Frye is about to discover that she is not an average girl. When a cryptic note from long-lost relatives arrives, the news it brings flips Libby’s small-town life upside down. Soon, she finds herself lured to a foreign land where retired witches, chatty bats and geriatric World War II pilots await. It’s up to Libby to unravel the sinister plot that brought her there in the first place, but in so doing, she’ll uncover a shocking secret that will change her life forever ... if she survives the challenge.


The Tree of Mindala (Wunderwood Book 1) by Elle Jacklee

B.R.A.G. Medallion Winner ~ Miranda Moon's vivid imagination has gotten her into trouble more times than she can count. This time, she's been suspended from school. So her straight-laced younger brother, Marcus, blames her when they're relegated to their late grandparents' old cabin over Halloween weekend. But when Miranda finds a curious trinket, they're mysteriously whisked away to Wunderwood, where magic flows through the trees and everyone already knows their family name. A place even Miranda never imagined. Just as they arrive, a sinister warlock, Thornton Crow, is freed from a long banishment. He resumes his deadly agenda to find The Tree of Mindala, the source of all the realm's magic. As Miranda and Marcus discover branches of their own family tree that they hadn't even known existed, they learn that Thornton has a score to settle with anyone in their bloodline. Especially them... Though justice has always had a way of being naturally restored in Wunderwood, Thornton's latest evil deed just may be the tipping point. When Miranda discovers her own role in Thornton's release, she knows it's up to her to stop him from stealing not just magic, but also hope. With travel companions that could as easily be foes as friends, and only the cryptic words of a prophecy to guide her, Miranda must decide if she can carry out the task that will either save Wunderwood... or doom it forever.


Tooth Fairies and Jetpacks by Kurt Fried

Have you ever wondered why tooth fairies want your teeth in the first place? Or how fairies fly? Or how they carry money so much larger than they are? What if the answer is… SCIENCE? This is the story of two sisters who learn about the world of tooth fairies, and how they're really all scientists and engineers. When one of the fairies disappears, the girls will have to think quickly to solve the mystery. Hold on tight... Tooth Fairies and Jetpacks is a joy to read aloud, and parents who want their children to be excited by science will be delighted to read this modern, witty tale to them. It's especially great for kids who have lost a first tooth (kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2). "This is a charming tale perfect for young children filled with questions. Its storyline encourages inquiry and builds enthusiasm for science. And the characters' technological skill, scientific knowledge, initiative, and agency make it an excellent modern counterpart to classic images of tutu-clad fairies." - Read. Learn. Repeat.


The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner

Exploring a mysterious cave in the mountains behind their house, John and his sister Sarah are shocked to discover they’ve time traveled to ancient Egypt! Now they must work together to find a way back home from an ancient civilization of golden desert sand and a towering new pyramid, without parents to save them. The adventures abound—cobras, scorpions, a tomb robber, and more! The two kids have to trust each other, make friends who can help, and survive the challenges thrown at them . . . or be stuck in ancient Egypt forever. For readers graduating from the Magic Tree House series and ready for intense action, dive into this middle grade novel rich with meticulous historical detail.


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