Hidden Worlds in Middle Grade
The lure of a hidden, magical world just beyond what “normal” people can see if so appealing. I love getting to know a new universe, its magical system, how it manages to stay hidden, and what treasures it contains. These middle-grade gems involve hidden magical worlds that you and your kids will love to escape to.
Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger (started 2012)
The more books I read in this series the more I like it. Sophie never fit in to the human world, which makes sense since she was really a super-powered elf in hiding! Once she enters the Elf world she learns of the conflict within it and her responsibility to save them all. Messenger handles the stakes deftly, keeping the books fun while true to Sophie’s teen emotions.
The Vanquishers series by Kalynn Bayron (2022)
Malika, whom everyone calls “Boog,” has overprotective parents. The rest of the world is sure that all the vampires are gone, but her folks act as if one might be around any corner. They spray vampire repellent on all their windows, don’t invite strangers in the house, and won’t let Boog out after dark. When a new kid moved into the neighborhood, he quickly joins Boog’s squad. When he disappears, the friends are determined to find him. What if her parents are right to be cautious? What if there are still vampires in the world?
The Conjureverse series by Dhonielle Clayton (started 2022)
Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute. When a magical criminal escapes from prison, Ella’s family of Conjurors comes under suspicion. She and her friends are determined to solve the mystery and clear her name.
Greenwild series by Pari Thomson (started 2023)
Daisy and her journalist mother never stay any one place for long, but that’s okay as long as they are together. When her mother disappears on a dangerous assignment, Daisy is determined to find her. The search leads her to a secret world of botanical magic, one Daisy apparently belongs to. Thomson creates charming characters, wicked villains, and fun plant magic.
The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia C. Wrede (2023)
Kayla’s perfectly happy with her adoptive family in Minnesota until a trip to a county fair transports them to a hidden world where the residents claim she is the heir to the dark throne. Kayla tries to learn about her biological family while staying true to herself. Wrede’s book is a great read, often funny and pushing against tropes.