Kid–Created Bibliography of Fantasy Literature

The Fantasy and the Imagination BookTalks discussion is over, but now you can check out an annotated online bibliography of fantasy literature created by the students who participated in this project. From traditional fantasy and time travel tales to stories about imaginary creatures and worlds, you are sure to find a fantasy book that is just right for you!

Traditional Tales   Talking Animals   Imaginary Creatures   Imaginary Worlds   Time Travel

Traditional Tales

Babbitt, Natalie. Tuck Everlasting. Toronto, Canada: Collins Publishers. 1975.

When a family is possessed with the knowledge of a special spring, where the water gives the magic of living forever, they try to keep it a secret. Then a ten year old runaway girl finds it. To keep the secret, they kidnap her and then tell her their story. Will she drink the water? Read the book to find out. Ages 11–14.
Mark, Rikki, and Clint, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach. Illustrated by Nancy E. Berkert . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961.

This book is about a boy named James who lives with his mean aunts (James's parents were eaten by a rhino). One day an old man gives James a magic crocodile tongue that turns into a giant peach. James goes inside the peach and meets some human–size insects who speak a human language. I think everyone should read this book. Ages 6–10.
Hiroshi and Jason, 4th grade, American School In Japan, Tokyo, Japan

Dahl, Roald. BFG. Illustrations by Quentin Blake. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1982.

This book is about giants. BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is the smallest giant. One night he captures a little girl and together, with the English Army, they work to find a way to defeat the nine other giants and save the children of the world. This book is guaranteed to make you laugh! Ages 8–12 years.
Chris, Mrs. Gantter's 5th grade, Goshen Intermediate School, NY
Holly, Mrs. Burrow's 5th grade, Goshen Intermediate School, NY
Jared, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

Dahl, Roald. Matilda. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. New York: Viking, 1988.

A funny story about a smart, British girl named Matilda. This book will make you laugh until you turn red. Fun to listen to or read by yourself. Ages 6–10.
Saif, Mrs. Gantter's 5th grade, The Goshen Intermediate School, Goshen, NY

Hoffman, E.T.A. The Nutcracker. Illustrated by Maurice Sendak. New York: Crown,1984.

This is a story about a Nutcracker that comes to life and the little girl that saves him. Ages 10 and up.
Jennifer, 5th grade, Goshen Intermediate School, NY

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Talking Animals

Base, Graeme. The Sign of the Seahorses. Illustrated by Graeme Base. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1992.

An exciting story about some fish who are thrown out of their fish town by a bunch of sharks and swordfish. Then they try to find a new town. For all ages.
Rebecca and Zeth, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade class, Minerva, OH

Dahl, Roald. Fantastic Mr. Fox. Illustrated by Donald Chaffin. New York: Viking, 1970. Ages 7 and up.

The is the story of three farmers, each one is meaner than the other (their names are Boggis, Bounce and Bean). They are trying to get rid of Mr. Fox and his family. Read the book for more details.
Elsa and Satomi, Mr. Harrits' 4th grade, American School in Japan, Tokyo, Japan

Jacques, Brian. Redwall. Illustrated by Gary Chalk. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1986.

A courageous young mouse named Mattias tries to defend his home, Redwall Abbey, against the ferocious rat, Cluny the Scourge. Matthias sets off on a dangerous journey to find the great sword of Martin the Warrior. Ages 10 and up.
Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

Kimmel A. Eric. Anansi and the Talking Melon. Illustrated by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House, Inc. 1994.

Anansi the spider goes into Elephant's melon patch. He eats and eats until he can't get out of the melon. He tricks people into thinking that the melon is a talking melon. This is a good book to read if you want to see a trickster at work! Ages 6–12.
Matt, Dorothy, and Simon, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade, Minerva, OH

Lester, Helen. Me First. Illustrated by Lynn Munsing. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1992.

This book is about a pig named Pinkerton who is mean to everybody and always wants to be first. One day he meets a witch and learns his lesson. Ages 6–12.
JoAnn and Kim, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade, Minerva, OH

White, E.B. Charlotte's Web. Illustrated by Garth Williams. New York: Harpercollins, 1952.

Wilbur is a runt pig who is going to be killed by a farmer. Thanks to the help of his friend Charlotte, a spider, Wilbur's life is saved. How will this spider save Wilbur the pig? Read this book to find out. Ages 8–12.
Julie, Mr. Harrits' 4th grade, American School in Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Jesse, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

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Imaginary Creatures

Applegate, K.A. Animorphs # 3, The Encounter. New York: Scholastic. 1996.

The Encounter is about a young boy named Tobias and his four friends. They battle against the yerks. Who will win? Ages 10–14.
Brandon, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

Coville, Bruce. Into the Land of the Unicorns. New York: Scholastic. 1994.

A girl named Cara and her grandmother are chased by a mysterious man. Cara's grandmother sends her to a land where unicorns are real. Can Cara and her new friends help save the land of the unicorns and her grandmother in time? Ages 10–14.
Amanda, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

Irving, Washington. Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. William Morrow & Company, 1990.

Follow Washington Irving, a headless horseman, in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Here you will meet Icobod Crane, the school master, Broom Bombs, the headless ghost and some other cool characters. Ages 6–10.
Chris, Richard, and Broch, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade, Minerva, OH

Le Guin K., Ursula. Catwings Return. Illustrated by S.D. Schindler. New York: Orchard Books, 1989.

Catwings Return is about two kittens named James and Harriet, who live in a nice home with their brother and sister. They have wings so they go to visit their mother in the city where they grew up. They find their mother's other kitten that she had when they left. They bring it back to her and go back home. Ages 6–10.
Kim and Shelly, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade, Minerva, OH

Le Guin, Ursula K. Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings. Illustrated by S.D. Schindler. New York: Orchard Books, 1994.

Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings is about a cat name Alexander. Alexander is the biggest, strongest and loudest and he is sure to be headed for wonderful things. He gets lost and mews for help. You will have to read this book to find out more.
Ashley and Drew, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade, Minerva, OH

Van Velde, Vivian. Dragon's Bait. New York: Dell Books, 1992.

A girl named Alys meets a dragon who can take on human form. He helps her avenge her father's death; however, she soon finds out that vengence is not always right. Ages 10 and up.
Lucas, Mrs. Shearer's 5th grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

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Imaginary Worlds

Gurney, James. Dinotopia The World Beneath. Illustrated by James Gurney. Turner Publishing, 1995.

Dinotopia is a story about a father and son who get shipwrecked on a mysterious island. Arthur (the father) finds a mysterious key that leads to the world beneath. Dinosaur lovers should definitely read this wonderfully illustrated book!
Ages 10 and up.
Adam, Mrs. Burrow's 5th Grade, Goshen Intermediate School, NY

L'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Dell Publishing, 1962.

With the help of friends, Meg and Charles Wallace tesser (wrinkle) through the universe in search of their father. They find their father, who is lost in the fifth dimension, but lose Charles to the evil powers of It. Will they find a way to defeat the powers of It and get Charles back safely? Read the book to find out the answer. Ages 10–15.
Chris, Heather, and Whitney, Mrs. Shearer's 5th Grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA
Megan and Steve, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th Grade, Minerva, OH

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes. New York: Macmillan, 1950.

This story is about four kids who find a secret door in a wardrobe and discover the imaginary world of Narnia beyond it. They experience all types of adventures in Narnia. Eventually the good forces conquer the evil ones. To read about their adventures, find a copy of the book. Ages 10 and up.
Desirae, Holly, Keri, Doug, and Aaron, Mrs. Shearer's 5th Grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA
Alyssa, Mrs. Burrow's 5th Grade, Goshen Intermediate School, NY

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Time Travel

Conrad, Pam. Stonewords. New York: Harpercollins, 1990.

This is a story about Zoe and Zoe Louise who live in the past and present. They are connected by a staircase in their house. Ages 10–up.
Cody and Amanda, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade class, Minerva, OH

Gormley, Beatrice. Back to the Day Lincoln Was Shot. New York: Scholastic, 1996.

Matt and Emily Cowen travel back in time with their friend Jonathan Shultz to the day Lincoln was assassinated by John Booth. They try to convince people to give Lincoln extra protection. Will they succeed? Read the book to find out. Ages 8–12.
John, Mrs. Shearer's 5th Grade, Leacock Elementary, Gordonville, PA

St. George, Judith. The Mysterious Girl in the Garden. Illustrated by Tomas Margot. Canada Limited, 1981.

During daily visits to Kew Gardens, a ten–year–old girl finds herself transported back to 1805. There she meets Princess Charlotte Augusta, future queen of England. Ages 9–12.
Sarah and Evan, Mrs. Ferrell's 4th grade class, Minerva, OH

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