20 Action-Packed Books Like Percy Jackson

This middle grade fantasy adventure is the first installment in the Tales of Newel and Doren, a spin-off series from the bestselling Fablehaven universe. Satyr cousins Newel and Doren return to Fablehaven eager to win the annual Satyr Games. However, the cousins soon face a new challenge: a deadly gorgon with powers that threaten the sanctuary. Kids who devoured Percy Jackson will love entering the Fablehaven world. The plot is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and readers will love the hilarious dynamic between Newel and Doren. Ages 9+

After the death of his best friend, 12-year-old Tristan visits his grandparents in Alabama, where he accidentally “tears a hole” into the mythological world of Alke, where African gods and African American folk heroes exist. Throughout the trilogy, Tristan learns to deal with his grief and embrace his role as storyteller. Our family loved this trilogy. My son, who adored the Percy Jackson series, loved the inventive world-building and adventure. I was especially drawn to the celebration of culture and thought it was expertly woven into the narrative. Ages 9+

Since his parents’ divorce and moving far from his friends, seventh-grader Ben has felt lonely and isolated. He spends most of his time, creating storylines and building fantasy worlds for tabletop games (think: Dungeons and Dragons). But when he meets a mysterious girl at a gaming convention, he’s whisked away to another land and mistaken for the prophesied “Chosen One” destined to save the realm. Flipping the classic “chosen one” trope keeps the story fresh. This book is a great pick for readers who love fantasy worlds and role-playing games. Ages 10+

Twelve-year-old Paola is often embarrassed by her mother’s superstitions and constant warnings about evil spirits. But when Paola’s best friend Emma goes missing, she has to throw aside her pragmatic nature and scientific explanations and enter a world that defies all logic. This book offers a unique blend of Mexican folklore, fantasy, and real-world issues, and young readers may especially relate to Paola’s struggle to reconcile her mother’s beliefs while forming her own. Ages 10+

Twelve-year-old Aru often feels out of place—she’s Indian American, lives in a museum apartment with her archaeologist/curator mom, and doesn’t quite fit in with her peers. While trying to impress her classmates, she lights a forbidden lamp and accidentally unleashes the Sleeper, an ancient demon who freezes time and threatens the world. Aru soon learns she’s a reincarnated hero from Hindu mythology and must set off on a magical adventure to unfreeze time and protect the world. Middle grade readers will love the fast-paced action and clever humor. This series is also a fantastic introduction to Hindu mythology. Highly recommend! Ages 9+

While this list consists of titles like Percy Jackson, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include the beginning of a new Percy Jackson trilogy. While the last book in the original series was published in 2009, this new installment focuses on Percy’s transition from high school to college. To get into New Rome University, Percy needs three recommendation letters from Olympian gods. His first quest is to recover the stolen Chalice of the Gods—all while juggling divine tasks and the challenges of senior year. A perfect fit for older kids who grew up reading the original series. Ages 11+

The City is one of the last surviving places after the Drowning, a mysterious flood that legends say was caused by an evil god called the Enemy. When a young boy washes up on the shore inside a beached whale, most of the City thinks he is the Enemy reborn, but a young inventor named Ellie is convinced of his innocence. When she hides him, it sets off a chain of events that reveals secrets about the City’s past and Ellie’s own. This book is a dark, fast-paced adventure with incredible world-building and a clever plot. Middle grade readers will be captivated by Ellie’s gutsy character, the eerie City, and the suspenseful narrative. Ages 9+

On the third anniversary of his father’s accidental death, Winston Chu is skateboarding home when he accidentally crashes into a peculiar shop right in the middle of a robbery attempt. As a thank you for scaring off the thieves, the shop owner allows Winston to choose any object as a reward. He impulsively grabs a broom, which is inhabited by spirits from Chinese folklore, setting of a series of magical chaos and challenges. Middle grade readers will relate to Winston as he struggles with complicated emotions and family expectations. Our family especially enjoyed this novel for its creative storyline, twist on a traditional Chinese tale, and surprising emotional depth. Ages 9+

This book is a fun collection of 20 Greek myths, retold for a middle grade audience. Building off a popular podcast of the same name, the stories feature Zeus, Dionysus, Athena, Hercules, and many more heroes, gods, and mythical creatures. The authors do a fantastic job retelling the myths in an incredibly humorous and engaging way. After my son finished the Percy Jackson series, he couldn’t get enough Greek mythology and loved receiving this book as a gift. Ages 8+

If your child is captivated by Greek mythology, this book is another compilation of retold stories of creation and the birth of gods, the realms they lived in, and the battles they fought. I was impressed by the way this book wove in historical insights and facts to help young readers better understand ancient Greek culture, and I appreciated how the author reminds young readers that, despite their significance, myths are fictional stories. Ages 8+

When 15-year-old Eragon finds a mysterious blue stone, his life changes forever. The stone hatches a dragon, tying Eragon to an ancient legacy. Armed with a sword, a loyal dragon, and a storyteller’s wisdom, he’s thrust into a dangerous world of magic and power, where his choices could decide the fate of the Empire. This special illustrated edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the bestselling fantasy novel. Ages 13+

Sixteen-year-old Keeper Chance isn’t popular, or smart, or particularly athletic. He’s a seemingly average teen living with his overbearing grandmother when he is recruited for E.V.I.L., an international organization where members possess quirky superpowers–like snack summoning, perfect timeliness, and an ability to negotiate amazing deals. Soon, Keeper embarks on a mission that uncovers a bigger mystery and reveals that he might be more extraordinary than anyone thought. A great pick for clever kids who love smart, funny spy stories that celebrate being different. Ages 10+

In a modern metropolis, dragons are integral to daily life, serving as transportation, cargo haulers, and even advertisements. Most importantly, dragons fight in battles orchestrated by criminal gangs. When Abel discovers that his missing sister is a dragon thief entangled with the city’s gangs, he must navigate the dangerous underworld of dragon battles and gang rivalries. This book does an excellent job of balancing high-stakes adventure with family dynamics, and kids who love the adventure and fantastical elements of Percy Jackson will tear through this new trilogy. Ages 8+

In Reino de Sol, a world inspired by Mexican mythology, gods and their children live among mortals. Teo, a 17-year-old trans boy and semidiós of the god of birds, is unexpectedly chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials, a sacred contest to carry the light that protects the world from darkness. As Teo competes alongside nine other semidioses, he begins to embrace his power and question whether there’s a better way to protect the world. Teens who’ve outgrown Percy Jackson will find a lot to love here: similar mythological worldbuilding, children of gods, high-stakes competition, but with rich emotional depth and strong LGBTQ+ representation. Ages 14+

Set in the Percy Jackson universe, this YA fantasy follows the adventures of Nico (son of Hades) and his boyfriend Will (son of Apollo). The two demigods embark on a dangerous quest to Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld, drawn by a prophecy and on a mission to rescue Bob, another demigod from the original Percy Jackson books. Though the story is filled with adventure, it also explores Nico’s inner world and how he deals with trauma while he tries to stay connected with Will. Teens who grew up reading the Percy Jackson series will love this fantasy adventure, filled with a diverse cast of characters. Ages 12+

Phoebe is a 12-year-old who has bounced around the New York City foster care system for most of her life. But when a statue of Athena comes to life, Phoebe discovers that she is the daughter of Zeus and was sent away as a baby to stop a terrible prophecy. When Ares kidnaps her social worker, Phoebe must travel back to ancient Greece with her friends to rescue him and collect talismans from dangerous Greek monsters. Phoebe is a strong, relatable protagonist, and her unique quest is engaging and filled with plenty of tension, humor, and heart. Ages 8+

Skandar Smith has always dreamed of becoming a unicorn rider and competing in the Chaos Cup, but on the day of his exam, he’s inexplicably denied the test…and then whisked off to the unicorn island anyway. Skandar soon realizes that being a unicorn rider is way more than just winning challenges— he and his unpredictable unicorn are training to fight. This fantasy adventure reimagines unicorns, moving far from their typical portrayal as gentle, shy healers. Instead, the unicorns in this story are terrifying, with gnashing teeth and red nostrils. This element alone is enough to attract kids who typically read about more “fearsome” beasts, and the incredible world-building and fast-paced plot will keep their attention throughout the entire book. Ages 8+

Nizhoni is a seventh-grade girl who discovers she has magical powers tied to her Navajo heritage. When her father is kidnapped by a monster, Nizhoni, her brother Mac, and their friend Davery embark on a dangerous journey to rescue him. Along the way, they face creatures from Navajo mythology and race against time to confront an ancient evil and save her father. We loved this unique middle grade fantasy for its cultural richness and blend of Native American traditions with modern elements. Fans of Percy Jackson will find a similar mix of mythology, adventure, and journey of identity and belonging. Ages 9+

Eleven-year-old Ella is a Conjurer, part of a magical group with abilities mistrusted by the rest of her magical world. So when she is chosen as the first Conjurer to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, she’s met with prejudice from much of the school community. Just as she settles in, a dangerous criminal escapes from prison, and Ella is the prime suspect. With the help of a few brave friends, she unravels secrets that challenge everything the magical world believes. This inclusive middle grade story tackles themes of belonging, cultural pride, courage, and the power of friendship, themes with which middle grade readers will easily identify. My son loved the first two books in this series and is eager to read the third!