Fun Realistic Fiction with a Fantasy Element for Middle Grades

1) Zoey and Sassafras (series) by Asia Citro

This is such a cute series about magical creatures who appear in Zoey's barn for help. Zoey (with some help from her cat, Sassafras) uses scientific processes to figure out what is wrong with the animals. Her first ideas don't always work, so she has to use problem-solving skills to find a solution. The first book is about dragons, and later books include merhorses, caterflies, and unicorns.

2) Liberty Porter, First Daughter (series) by Julia DeVillers

Technically, this is realistic fiction, but because it focuses on all the fun parts of being the President's daughter and moving into the White House (Giant bedroom! Beauty salon! Chocolatier!), it depicts a fantasy lifestyle with a few conflicts along the way. This is a standard-length chapter book, well-suited for third or fourth graders.

3) Polly Diamond and the Magic Book by Alice Kuipers

If you loved words and writing, and suddenly whatever you wrote became reality, where would you start? Take care - sometimes what you write isn't exactly what you meant to write! This short book is the first of two (so far) in a series.

4) Popcorn Bob by Maranke Rinck

Ellis loves popcorn, so when her school and her family start banning unhealthy snacks, it's an emergency! She pops a bag in secret in the garage, but one kernel transforms into Bob. Bob is insatiably hungry and uncooperative at school and at home, causing all kinds of trouble for Ellis.

5) Ellie Ultra: Extra-Ordinary Girl (series) by Gina Bellisario

When you come from a super hero family and your parents send you to regular school for the first time, it can be tricky trying to fit in with the other kids. After all, Ellie is no ordinary student. This is a fun, short chapter book with about three titles in the series so far.

6) The Princess in Black (series) by Shannon Hale
This fun adventure series is perfect for early readers, featuring short, well-spaced sentences and lots of illustrations, while still telling a story with suspense. The princess has a dull daily life of tea parties, but when she is called upon to save the day, she assumes her secret disguise and becomes an action hero!

See also: Humorous Adventure Books featuring Animals