Looking for a good series of books for your 7th graders who are 12 years old? I’ve put together a list of the most amazing books for middle graders and adults that will keep your kids hooked on reading.
these are not series of books that start very well and lose quality in the second or third book; are series that stay great throughout the series. trust me. that’s my pet peeve, too. 🙂
You are reading: 7th grade fantasy books
That said, I realize there are far more fantasy and science fiction books out there than other genres, so I’ll keep adding books to this list as I find more great books in other genres. I think part of the problem is coming of age, realistic books are usually one and done. it is not a series of books.
what do you think?
Go here to find all my book recommendations for 12 year olds.
Go here for book series ideas for sixth graders.
best book series for 7th graders
Cinder (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa MeyerSCI-FIThis is a great series for teens who are transitioning from middle-grade to YA books. When Prince Kai asks Cinder, a human with cyborg parts, to fix something for him, she becomes entangled in a plot that puts her life at risk and the entire country’s fate is hanging in the balance. And, it turns out she’s not who she thinks she is. This is an AMAZING can’t-put-it-down series based on fairy tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Red Riding Hood! And, every book is just as good as the previous book. BOX SET
Furthermore by Tahereh MafiFANTASYMagic and color are closely linked in her world. Only Alice has no color in her skin or hair. And her father has been missing for years making her even sadder. Alice and a boy named Oliver search for her father in a different magical land in order to hopefully rescue him. But the rules are wildly different and the inhabitants eat people for their magic. Even though Oliver and Alice start their quest at odds, the many challenges join them in a solid friendship. Furthermore is a uniquely creative plot that is so well written, you won’t want it to end.
kwame alexander’s crossover realist because it’s written in verse, it’s a quick read but packs a punch. basketball player and twin josh chronicles his life in quarters as well as the game he plays. writes about missing his twin when his twin jordan gets a girlfriend; about getting in trouble when he hits jordan in the face with a basketball; and about seeing his father while his heart fails. this is a gripping coming of age story of a boy who is just trying to figure life out like most kids at 12.
The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey #1) by Richard Paul EvansSCI-FIIf you like fast-paced adventure and science fiction, you’ll love this fantastic series about a boy with electrical powers and an evil group who wants to control him and others like him. It’s an addictive series for kids who enjoy action, suspense, and adventure. BOX SET
the maze runner by james dashersci-fi what a wild ride! High school students, especially 7th and 8th graders, are not allowed to drop off these books. In this dystopian world, children die or must kill to survive. There are many plot twists that will keep your children surprised and entertained. boxed game here.
See Also: Alyssa Cole – Book Series In Order
Dorothy Must Die by danielle paigefantasy in this remix of the wizard of oz, dorothy is evil and amy gunn, the other girl from kansas, is recruited to help the freedom fighters fix and free all oz. Great writing plus an unexpected plot make this book series a hard one for seventh graders to put down!
unwanted by lissa mcmannfantasy/dystopiaIn this society, they are classified as wanted, necessary, and unwanted. alex is unwanted and is sent to die. But instead of death, Alex is rescued by a wizard who has created a magical, secret haven for the unwanted where they live and train to use his magical abilities. i love the magical and creative characters in this world, like alex’s art teacher – an octagon! Here’s the problem: Alex is a twin. he pins for his twin, a darling, and convinces himself that his twin misses him too. (he does not do it). alex risks the safety of his new home to see his twin in the old world. and yes, the secret world is discovered, war breaks out and more secrets are revealed.
The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks with Jordie BellaireFANTASY/GRAPHIC NOVELIn an Asian-influenced series about an occupied city, we meet two kids from different clans and backgrounds who become unlikely friends. Kaidu is a Dao and new to the Nameless City where he’s studying to be a soldier. Rat is a street girl who teaches Kaidu how to survive in the city. Together they save the city’s leader from an assassination plot. The action and characters are compelling and complex, appropriate for middle schoolers in 7th grade. Next in this series is The Stone Heart.
Ghost by Jason ReynoldsREALISTICGhost accidentally gets on a track team and it’s life-changing. His coach becomes a mentor and father figure who pushes Ghost to take responsibility for his mistakes (stealing sneakers) and to start dealing with the ghosts of his past. Well-written and hopeful about growing up and growing into yourself. Next in the series is Patina which is an incredible story, too.
the lord of the rings by j.r.r. Tolkien Fantasies epic fantasy stories weave together a world of magical creatures where evil threatens the land. writing is complex, detailed, and intense, but for kids who are motivated, it’s doable if your kids are motivated. box set
The Gorlan Ruins: Ranger’s Apprentice by John A. flanaganfantasywill is apprenticed to become a ranger, a job he is unsure about. but as he develops a relationship with his teacher and learns what being a ranger is all about (espionage for the kingdom) she comes to embrace his new life. When an old enemy of the realm sends dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, great writing – this book has it all! the ranger’s apprentice is a riveting epic fantasy series that is a must-read for high school readers. boxed set
The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by AviHISTORICALAction-packed from the first page, this is one historical fiction novel you don’t want to miss. Oliver wakes to find his house flooded and his father missing. After being thrown in the poorhouse for orphans, he manages to escape with stolen money only to be accosted by a highwayman. It’s one misfortune after another but Oliver is determined to find his father and sister in London. Somehow.
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan DowdMYSTERYThis middle-grade novel is a puzzling mystery that only the boy named Ted who seems to be on the spectrum can solve. How did his cousin disappear from a closed pod on the London Eye? The enjoyable action and intrigue will keep your attention throughout — and you’ll wonder why you didn’t guess the ending before Ted figured it out.
Nevermoor The Trial of Morrigan Crow by Jessica TownsendFANTASYMorrigan escapes her birthday’s death curse when she’s whisked away to another realm by a mysterious man named Jupiter North to compete in four trials to join the Wundrous Society. Morrigan is worried because she doesn’t have a magical “nack” like the hundreds of other kids. She befriends a mischievous boy named Hawthorne with the nack for flying dragons. In between the trials, they try to figure out if the elusive Mr. Jones is connected to the dangerous Wundersmith named Ezra Squall. I liked watching Morrigan’s growth in confidence and happiness throughout the story.
Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura MartinDYSTOPIAN / ADVENTURECloned dinosaurs have taken over the world so Sky and her fellow humans live below ground in safety with Noah as their supreme ruler. Sky discovers that her missing (maybe traitor?) father left her a secret note with cryptic instructions on how to be found. She decides to leave the underground city in order to find her dad. Barely outside a day, she and her friend Shawn are rescued from hungry dinosaurs by a boy who lives in a treetop enclave. When his enclave is attacked by Noah’s soldiers looking for her, Sky realizes that everything she believed about Noah is wrong and is even more determined to find her father. LOVED it!
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa TahirHISTORICAL / FANTASYPart historical (ancient Rome) and part fantasy, Elias and Laia live in a world that enslaves them both in different ways — Elias with fighting and Laia with serving and spying. This is an epic page-turning series with lots of mystery, action, and a hint of romance. It’s SO good that it’s one of the most popular YA books right now.
dark life from kat falls sci-fiwhen the oceans swallowed much of the land, humans moved into stacked cities or to the bottom of the ocean. Ty lives in the ocean, but his way of life is threatened by murderous outlaws who steal and kill. He befriends a surface girl named Gemma who is looking for her brother under the sea. They learn that his brother is the leader of the outlaws, he was a former medical experiment and has dark gifts just like ty. This is action and intrigue from the start and your 7th graders will love every minute of it. (Next in the series is spring tide.)
See Also: Top 35 Best Post Apocalyptic Books Of All Time Review 2022
chains (seeds of america) by laurie halse andersonhistorical fictionexperience the revolutionary war through the eyes of an african-american girl named isabel and her friend, cuzon. Whether enslaved, escaped, or enlisted, these two are determined survivors. the writing is amazing and the story is captivating. I love and highly recommend this series of historical fiction books for high school students. boxed set here.
Steelheart by Brandon SandersonSCI-FII love this YA book series’ unique world and so will your 7th graders. Epics are super-powerful, evil god-like creatures who control the world’s cities. Because David’s father was killed by Chicago’s Epic named Steelheart, David wants revenge. He joins the rebel group, the Reckoners, to learn how to assassinate Steelheart- a next to impossible feat for a regular human like him. This is a page-turning, mesmerizing series. BOX SET
Above World by Jenn ReeseSCI-FIModified humans live in tech-dependent, animal-morphed groups (mer people, snake people, centaur, bird people) in different climates and the groups have mostly remained separate from each other. The main character, Aluna, a Kampii (mer), leaves her clan in order to discover why her clan is dying. In Mirage, she and her unique group of friends try to convince the Equian colonies that the evil Karl Strand is trying to take over all of Above World. Ultimately, these books pack in both action and adventure with creative storytelling.
The Sisters Club by Megan McDonaldREALISTICMeet the Sisters Club: twelve-year-old Alex, an aspiring actress and born drama queen; eight-year-old Joey, homework lover, and pioneer wannabe; and smack in the middle, ten-year-old Stevie, the glue that holds them together — through dinner disasters, disputes over stolen lucky sweaters, and Alex’s going gaga over her leading man. Great for 12-year-old girls.
House of the Scorpion by Nancy FarmerDYSTOPIANThis Newbery winner grabs your 7th graders’ attention immediately with an unbelievable (but kind-of believable) story of a boy named Matt who is a clone of the leader of Opium, El Patrón. He realizes that he’s not the first El Patrón clone and learns of a sinister reason why he’s the only Patron clone still alive. Next in the series is: The Lord of Opium.
monster hunter jack templar: the templar chronicles: book one by jeff gunsfantasyafter jack is attacked by monsters more than once, he discovers that he is a monster hunter and a good game to be hunted. he is not as scary as he seems; it’s more of a monster adventure that includes zombies.
The Ghost Network: Activate by I.I. DavidsonSCI-FIJack and his friend are hackers who get taken to a top-secret tech school where dangerous secrets are hidden behind the STEM school facade. Not only are the kids in danger but there also seems to be a computer implanted inside their brains telling them what to do! The story intrigued me from the get-go and the pacing and suspense just keeps growing. Great for 7th graders who love STEM.
Wereworld by Curtis JoblingFANTASYDrew is raised on a farm and knows little about the world around. He’s ill-prepared to live on the run, which he must do when he unexpectedly develops were/shifter powers. Fortunately, he meets the other WereLords including a WereBear Lord who fought with Drew’s father and is willing to help him. Kidnappings, revenge, murder, and a prophecy — this book series has all the elements 7th graders want in a fantasy adventure.
Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle by N.D. WilsonFANTASYBy the same author as 100 Cupboards, this is a creative, thrilling, action-packed time-traveling adventure. Our hero, Sam Miracle, is a foster kid with two bad arms, who sees things that no one else can — things in a parallel world. Of course, he’s got enemies who wish to stop him. In fact, those enemies have killed him many times in past versions of the world. But with the help of a wise Native American healer, a Native American priest, the two personality-filled snakes that have become his arms (!), and his friend, Glory, maybe, just maybe, Sam can live and save the world.
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