Childhood is ripe with imagination in real life and in books.

And while many children adore fantasy books that take them outside of the realm of possibility, I’ve found that fewer adults tend to do so freely.

But that can change with this list.

Here are ten middle grade and young adult fantasy books I think every adult needs to read. I mean, we can all use a bit more imagination in fantasy in our lives, can’t we?

And if you’re an educator, then you REALLY need to read this list and pass along the book love to your students.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptist

Corinne La Mer isn’t afraid of anything, not even the jumbies. But when a beautiful stranger shows up at her home after talking with the town witch, Corinne is sure danger is near and learns to use ancient magic she didn’t know she possessed to save her island home.

The Barren Grounds by David Alexander Robertson

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, end up in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They find a secret portal to another reality bringing them to the frozen, barren grounds of Aksi, a place desperately in need of help.

Hurricane Katrina Rescue by Kate Messner

When Clare finds herself alone in her New Orleans home during Hurricane Katrina, she calls on the lessons learned from her father to save herself, her grandmother and the unexpected dog that suddenly accompanied her through the magic of time travel.

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

This magical story follows Willodeen as she struggles to make sense of her loss and social awkwardness through the magical gifts of friendship and trust in the natural world, especially the screechers.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. With war approaching, Peter has to move in with his grandpa and leave Pax behind. But regret spurs him to action to find his best friend.

The Whispers by Greg Howard

Eleven-year-old Riley believes in the whispers, magical fairies that will grant you wishes if you leave them tributes. His biggest wish is to bring his mother back home, but the journey to do so may shake the foundation of everything that he believes in forever.

Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot

When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she’s not his grandmother: she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they’ll be safe, but will they become lost in Brooklyn forever?

Children of Blood and Bone by by Tomi Adeyemi

Zélie Adebola was left without a mother when a ruthless king killed her people. Now she has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy, but her greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and feelings for an enemy.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch, Xan, who lives in the forest. When Xan accidentally feeds Luna moonlight, she gains magical powers that she’ll need to later call on to save Xan from the Protectorate.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a perfectly normal boy, other than he lives in a graveyard, is raised by ghosts and experiences dangerous graveyard adventures. But the real danger is in the land of the living where Bod cannot escape the man that killed his family.

Tell me: What are your favorite middle grade and young adult fantasy books? Share them in the comments below!