My oldest son is an avid reader, and making sure we find him appropriate reading material has been a challenge. Not only do the books need to be age-appropriate, but I also expect the author to convey deeper meanings that align with our values. Books are a great way to travel the world, explore what type of character you want to be, and vicariously contemplate how you would want to handle challenging situations.

The following are books that we have been very pleased with. They may be read to younger children but as individual reads we recommend ages 9+.

The Prince Warriors: This was one of the first series my husband read to our boys. They were 5,7,&9 at the time. Now my 12 year old has picked them back up to start over on his own. One of the first comments he made to me was how the book just takes off. While many books take a couple chapters to world build this one starts in the real world and then over time, as the characters learn about the alternative universe (spiritual world), you experience it along with them.

The symbolism is strong with this one. Lead by Ruwack (the Hebrew word for “Spirit”) brothers Xavier and Evan enter a world called Ahoratos (meaning “unsean”) and have to fight battles using the armor of God. It might sound like it has great potential to be cheesy and cringe worthy but my husband was continually impressed and has recommended it to his other dad friends to read to their kids.

This book is also the only one in the line up that has an active father figure!

The Restorationist: Unbeknownst to the average person, there are two groups of people with the ability to travel through famous works of art. The first are the Restorationists; these members use their gifts to protect, restore, and recover art. The second group, the Distortionists, enter pieces of art to corrupt the artist’s intent. They can manipulate certain features to give viewers feelings or interpretations that were not part of the original design.

The main characters of this book are three children who must learn to use their gifts for others, overcome jealousy, and find a way to trust one another. As a bonus for homeschool families, the main girl is homeschooled. My boys let out a shout of excitement to finally have a character they could relate to. Additionally, this series is a great way to sneak in some art history. Be sure to take time to look up each piece of art as it’s mentioned—there is a list in the back of the book if you want to plan ahead.

I personally have loved reading this series to my kids, but I would caution parents that in the first book children are kidnapped, and there are several references to a massacre that took place and directly affected the characters. Sensitive children may not do well with this series.

Wanted: A Superhero to Save the World: I’ve never read a book series with a better brother-and-sister bond. In a Gotham City–type environment, a middle-grade boy builds a superhero machine, but it only works once—and instead of changing him, it enhances his younger sister. Caught in the middle of a battle between heroes and villains, the two must work together to save the world. Throughout the series, they continually put each other first and learn that being a superhero means making hard choices that can require big sacrifices.

Bonus: Their mom learns their secret by the end of book one and in a later book they become homeschooled.

Dragons in our Midst: I love the Middle Ages and King Arthur lore, so it was very exciting to find this series! In a modern world, the main teenage protagonist discovers new abilities that come from his dragon heritage, and he must enter an ancient battle between good and evil. This is a four-book series, and we recently found out that the author is working on a prequel called The Dragons of Camelot.

National Park Mystery Series: This book follows a group of three friends who travel through national parks, unraveling a trail of riddles connected to a secret from the past. As they explore iconic locations like Yosemite and Yellowstone, readers are drawn into a story full of danger, problem-solving, and outdoor survival skills, all while learning about American history, conservation, and the value of teamwork.

I haven’t read this one yet, but my son says there are hints throughout the book that the main family is Christian. He thinks he remembers them going to church and singing hymns. Overall, it’s good, clean, and wholesome, with elements of outdoor education and adventure.

Green Ember: Warning: the world-building takes a little time to get into, but by the end of the first book you won’t want to stop. Thankfully, when the series concludes at the end of book four, you can continue on with additional series that follow some of your favorite characters from their own points of view. Essentially, bunnies have been hunted down and enslaved by wolves and birds of prey. This underdog story, however, displays true courage, loyalty, and heroism, showing that everyone matters and has a role to play in fighting evil.

Wing Feather Saga: “An epic tale of a family, in a fantasy world, who must reclaim the throne and defeat the bad guys.” -My children. Personally, I couldn’t get into this story. The world-building took too long, and I just didn’t connect with it. My boys, however, absolutely loved it! This is the first thick book series my twins read on their own and truly devoured. It has great sibling relationships, takes readers on an adventure through multiple lands with all kinds of unique characters, and delivers just the right kind of humor that kids love.

Jack Zulu: For kids who feel like they don’t quite fit in, this book might really hit the spot. Jack discovers a portal that connects to a dozen different realms. As if he didn’t already have enough problems at home with his mom being sick, he now has to protect a place he never even knew existed. It’s a coming-of-age story filled with friendship and heroism.

Tumbleweed Thompson: I feel like you get a good sense of this book just from its cover and the fact that it’s set in Rattlesnake Junction, a Colorado frontier town in the late 1870s. One boy is a pastor’s kid, and the other is a mischievous hooligan. If your child would enjoy a Wild West adventure that feels like an updated, age-appropriate Mark Twain story, this is one worth checking out.

The Kingdom Series: What if Bible stories took place in the Middle Ages? This book series follows the lives of several knights who desire to follow the king’s commands while leading a rebellious people group. They face enemies from the king’s rival and eventually lead the people to cross the water and dwell in the King’s land forever. Your children will recognize familiar stories such as Moses leading the Exodus, the fiery furnace, and the rebuilding of the kingdom after it has been conquered.

What book series are your kids loving? Tell us in the comments!

For more book recommendations check out this playlist!