Books like Percy Jackson

The Trials of Apollo

Author: Rick Riordan

Year: 2016

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9-12

More info: The Trials of Apollo #1

Plot

The Greek god Apollo, transformed into a mortal, is sent on a quest to regain his immortality. He sets off with his Demi-god master to free the Oracles from the Triumvirate. Along the way, they battle Roman emperors, make new friends, and get stuck in many deadly situations.

Why Jackie loves it

The first in a 5-part series, this is one Greek mythology retelling you won’t have read before. And while this is technically middle grade, if you love YA fantasy novels, you will love this book at any age.

Find this book in: The Trials of Apollo Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson / Greek Mythology Retellings

The Sword of Summer

Author: Rick Riordan

Year: 2015

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9-12

More info: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1

Plot

This middle school fantasy series by Rick Riordan is based on Norse Mythology. Magnus Chase dies in battle and is brought to Valhalla where he is given the task of bringing back a powerful weapon to keep the monsters at bay and stop Ragnarok from destroying everything.

Why Jackie loves it

Like the Percy Jackson series, this mythology retelling is creative and captivating. Without giving too much away about this trilogy, I can tell you that if you loved Percy, you’ll love this one too!

Find this book in: Books Like Percy Jackson / Magnus Chase Series Order / Fantasy Book for Tweens / Mythology Books

The Red Pyramid

Author: Rick Riordan

Year: 2010

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9-12

More info: Kane Chronicles #1

Plot

The Kane Chronicles is a series based on Egyptian mythology. Carter and Sadie Kane have been split up their entire lives and must learn to use their Egyptian magic to defeat Egyptian Gods and monsters to protect their home world.

Why Jackie loves it

When it comes to mythology retellings, Rick Riordan can’t be better. My kids also loved that Percy Jackson makes an appearance in this one.

Find this book in: Kane Chronicles Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson

Daughter of the Deep

Author: Rick Riordan

Year: 20221

Genre: Fantasy / sci-fi

Age: 9+

More info: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Plot

This book is the one of newest in a series of fantasy/sci-fi books for tweens by Rick Riordan. Ana and her brother Dev are students at Harding Pencfoft Academy, a school that specializes in marine science. When Ana heads out on an expedition, the school is bombed and Ana believes everyone has died.

With only her brother left in her family, Ana is desperate to find out what happened and who bombed the school. The Professor who accompanied them on the trip informs them that Land Institute and H-P have been fighting in a war for over 150 years.

Trigger Warnings

Parental death

Why Jackie loves it

I love that Rick Riordan does something completely different in this book by veering from mythology and paying homage to Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea!

Find this book in: Books Like Percy Jackson / Order of Rick Riordan Books

Aru Shah and the End of Time

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Year: 2018

Genre: Middle Grade Mythology

Age: 9+

More info: Book 1 of 5 of Aru Shah

A Rick Riordan Presents Book

Plot

Aru Shah is a Rick Riordan Presents story based on ancient Indian mythology. Twelve-year-old heroine Aru is a storyteller who stretches the truth. But on a dare from classmates trying to catch her lying, she lights a lamp that sets an ancient demon free.

Now she’s on a mission to find the legendary Panda Brothers and return the demon to the land it came from. The first in the series, this is a great one for anyone who loves mythology, demons, magic and page-turning action.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love mythology books and this one is no exception. Demons and magic had me flipping the pages of this one as fast as I could read it.

Find this book in: Middle Grade Fantasy Books / Books like Percy Jackson / Mythology Books

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Author: Kwambe Mbalia

Year: 2019

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Age: 9+

More info: Tristan Strong book 1 of 3
A Rick Riordan Presents Book

Plot

Like me, my eldest is fantasy-book obsessed. After ripping through all of Rick Riordan’s books, he wasn’t sure what to read next.

Enter, Tristan Strong! This epic middle-school fantasy trilogy is based on African American folk heroes and West African mythology and it quickly engrossed my son. He finished the story and begged me to take him to the library for the next installment. 

Tristan is grieving the loss of his best friend, Eddie when a mysterious creature shows up and tries to steal Eddie’s notebook. 

As he tries to keep the notebook, Tristan accidentally punches a tree…opening a gateway to another world. Soon he’s in the middle of a battle and he needs to figure out a way to get back home.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love the West African mythology in this book. It is so different from the Greek mythology I usually read. This book is action-packed and page-turning- just what I would expect from a Rick Riordan Presents book.

Find this book in: Books Like Percy Jackson / Best Fantasy Books for Tweens / Best Books for a 10-year-old

The Storm Runner

Author: J.C. Cervantes

Year: 2018

Genre: Middle-Grade Mythology

Age: 8+

More info: Rick Riordan Presents

Plot

This Rick Riordan Presents book is based on Mayan mythology. It’s about Zane, a boy who lives near a volcano that just so happens to be the portal to another world.

When Zane meets Brooks, she informs him that he is destined to unleash an evil Mayan god unless she can find the relic he is in first. Soon, there are demon attacks, shape-shifters, adventures, and the discovery that Zane’s dad is a God.

My Percy Jackson-loving son devoured this series on a recent vacation. It’s another great mythology retelling book series like Percy Jackson.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love that Rick Riordan finds amazing mythology stories to re-tell in page-turning books. This was a quick read with a great story and fun characters

Find this book in: Middle Grade Fantasy Books / Books Like Percy Jackson

The Flame of Olympus 

Author: Kate O’Hearn

Year: 2012

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8 – 12

More info: Pegasus #1

Plot

When Pegasus crashes onto a roof during a storm, Emily finds him and comes to his rescue. She treats his wounds and cares for him when she discovers he is from Olympus. Now Emily finds herself teaming up Greek Goddess, Diana, to bring Pegasus back to Olympus and rescue the gods.

Why Jackie loves it

The first book in the Pegasus series gives KOTLC meets Percy Jackson vibes. Both my daughter and Kirsten’s Greek mythology-obsessed son devoured this series.

Find this book in: Books Like Percy Jackson / Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Books with Magical Creatures

Amari and the Night Brothers

Author: B. B. Alston

Year: 2021

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8 – 11

More info: Supernatural Investigations #1

Plot

Amari is searching for her brother and will not be deterred. She believes the key to finding him is an invitation to try out at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs she finds a briefcase in his closet. Now she needs to reconsider the fact that magical creatures are all real! Amari needs to compete against her classmates to try to gain a coveted spot to solve her brother’s disappearance.

Trigger Warnings

Bullying, Racism

Why Kirsten loves it

This fantasy book for tweens is a book that is perfect for all ages. The magical world, the story, and the characters are all captivating in this book.

Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books Like Percy Jackson / Books for 12-year-olds

A Tale of Magic

Author: Chris Colfer

Year: 2020

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Age: 9+

More info: A Tale of Magic book 1 of 3
New York Times Bestseller

Plot

Brystal Evergreen finds out that she can perform magic when reading a book from her library. She discovers that she is a fairy but women aren’t supposed to read in the Southern Kingdom!

When she is sentenced to a correctional facility, she is quickly whisked away to an academy where she can learn magic! When the headmaster disappears, Brystal and her classmates must come together and save the world.

Why Kirsten loves it

My kids devoured this middle-grade fantasy as quickly as Chris Colfer’s last series. While no correctional facility could be as bad as Azkaban, this series is a perfect pick for books like Harry Potter. It also reminded me a little bit of Percy Jackson who found out he was a demigod. Either way, this series is another hit from Chris Colfer.

Find this book in: Books Like Harry Potter / Books Like Percy Jackson

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

Author: Anne Ursu

Year: 2021

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8 – 12

Plot

Marya’s brother is going to be a sorcerer. When an accident happens, Marya is sent to Dragomir Academy. It is a place for troubled girls. When she is there, the Dread attacks. The Dread is a cloud-like creature that can spawn itself and destroy villages.

Why Jackie loves it

My daughter read this one. This is what she had to say. “I really liked this book because I love magic and the girls at the school work together as a team. This book was exciting and I want to read anything this author writes.”

Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books like Percy Jackson / Best Books for a 10-year-old

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J. K Rowling

Year: 1998

Genre: Middle-Grade fantasy

More info: Harry Potter #1 of 7

Age Range: 8+ (note that some of the later books in the series may not be appropriate until a bit older)

Plot

I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published. 

This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio.  We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?

Trigger Warnings

Parental death

Why Jackie loves it

I firmly believe that JK Rowling changed children’s literature more profoundly than any other author. I realize that this is a very strong statement. But, until her, there have never been books that have had such an impact on the world of reading. The books are so brilliantly laid out with easter eggs in book one that are essential for the entire plot. I believe this is one of the best fantasy series ever written.

Why Kirsten loves it

In my opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents and my kids have listened to the entire series multiple times.

Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Audiobooks for Kids / Harry Potter Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Magic School Books / Jackie’s Favorite Books / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Books to Read Aloud

Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Year: 2001

Genre: Fantasy

Age: 11+

More info: Artemis Fowl Book 1 of 8

Plot

Artemis Fowl is a kid genius trying to utilize the power of fairies to find his father. With the help of his butler, they kidnap a fairy named Holly Short to restore his family’s fortune and find his power.

However, Artemis underestimates the power of the fairies because he thinks that he is the smartest.

Why Jackie loves it

This fantasy book for tweens is perfect for anyone who wants to see the villain’s perspective and root for them as well. These are the perfect books for Percy Jackson fans.

Find this book in: Books about Con Artists and Thieves / Books like Percy Jackson / Best Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books like KOTLC / Books for a 13-year-old

Gregor the Overlander

Author: Suzanne Collins

Year: 2003

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8+

More info: The Underland Chronicles Book 1 of 5
#1 Bestselling author of The Hunger Games

Plot

In this book like the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Gregor falls into a dark Underland from the laundry room, in his apartment. The world is on the brink of war and his arrival has been foretold in a prophecy.

Now Gregor must stay and play his part while solving the mystery of his father’s disappearance years ago. This series came before the Hunger Games and is geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Why Jackie loves it

I would recommend this to a middle-grade fantasy reader, especially one looking for a book series like Percy Jackson. It has lost some of its popularity in recent years, but it is a very fun and unique fantasy

Find this book in: Books like Percy Jackson / Books Like The Hunger Games / Dragon Books for Tweens