If your kids like to read fantasy books, you'll want to check out these new titles from the first part of 2017! They're filled with magic, adventure, and characters to love. Discover New Fantasy Books for Your Kids Third Grade Mermaid by Peter Raymundo (ages 7 - 9) Even mermaids have spelling tests and swim team. Cora must get her spelling grade up or she's off the team. But that's not all-- an angry shark, a helpful gigantic shrimp, and friendship troubles make this an entertaining undersea adventure. Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training (book 2) by Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pearce (ages 7 - 9) Even more fun than the first book, Pip must help neurotic Regent Maximus survive the unicorn competition at the Triple Trident, a magical creatures fair and competition. Filled with fun facts about unusual creatures, her good friend, Tomas, and a mysterious unicorn tail chopper-offer, this is an entertaining page-turner. Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson (ages 7 - 9) Harper lives in the City of Clouds where one day, all the cats disappear including her own! Luckily, today her aunt gifted her with a magical umbrella which helps Harper and her friends, Nate and Liesel, track down the wizard who has stolen the cats. This magical story shows the power of kindness, determination, and creativity -- all which culminate in a rather surprising ending. Or at least it was for me. I liked it and loved the illustrations. Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell (ages 8 - 12) Quirky characters, quirkier illustrations (you'll love these) and footnotes (um, yes, I'm talking about those foot notes with a severed foot holding a pen in it's toes explaining random things) collaborate in this zany adventure to save imprisoned mythical creatures from the evil indoor gamekeeper. Goth Girl makes new friends including a ghost mouse and finds a reconnection with her father. (Books in this fantasy series can be read out of order.) The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis (ages 8 - 12) After a food mage turns Aventurine, a dragon, into a human using a magical chocolate drink, she develops a passion for chocolate. Unrecognized by her dragon clan, Aventurine travels to the nearest city to apprentice herself to a chocolate shop. She's a brave, adventurous girl who makes her chocolate dreams come true with help from a new friend and kind employers. Will she be as brave when her dragon family attacks the town? Enjoyable from the first page, this fantasy book is a delight to read. (Best read with chocolate!) Frogkisser by Garth Nix (ages 8 - 12) Borrowing from fairy tales and fantasy legends, Garth Nix has created a new tale all his own about a Princess who, to save her sister's cursed-to-be-a-frog former boyfriend, embarks on a Quest. Oh, and she must try to save the kingdom from her wicked stepfather wizard, too. She's accompanied by a royal dog, a boy-turned-Newt, and an otter-turned-girl. Along the way, she learns about the true history of the area from allies such as the good thieves and good magicians. It took me about a third of the book to really get into the story but once I did, it picked up and I enjoyed the interesting plot twists, characters, and homages to former stories. Prisoner of Ice and Snow by Ruth Lauren (ages 8 - 12) You know you love a story when you can't wait for the sequel! You'll fall in love with Valor, a dedicated sister who attempts to kill the prince in order to get sent to jail to help her sister is falsely imprisoned. Of course, the breakout doesn't go as planned. Other prisoners (all kids) want to know what she's up to and she doesn't know who to trust. Be ready for an exciting plot twist, terrific characters, and lots of action. The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi (ages 8 - 12) A strange board game gifted from her aunt, sucks Farah's little brother into the game. Literally. He's gone from Farah's home. She and her two friends join the game to save him. In order to do so, they must play the Architect's "game" which isn't easy or fair in a shifting Bangladesh-looking world with fantastical and steampunk elements. The tasks rely on Farah's game knowledge of Mancala, puzzles, and riddles. So before or during reading, get our your Mancala game and practice! Fantastic world-building with diverse cultural elements. Journey Across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst(ages 8 - 12) Adventure and magic with a folk tale feeling, we follow the journey of 12-year old twins Seika and Jin-Lin on a winged-lion across The Hidden Islands on an important trip to meet with the island's guardian dragon. After almost being captured by outsider sailors, a young boy from the group named Kirro joins the girls. The three face adventure, danger, and betrayal and uncover the important truth about their history. The pacing feels sluggish but overall this is a decent fantasy choice. See more great fantasy book titles here. MIDDLE GRADE FANTASY Silly Bedtime Stories Would You Rather Questions with Children's Books Stocking Stuffers for Kids Graphic Novels Book Bag Roald Dahl