Roseanne A. Brown
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem
A vibrant, funny entry into African diaspora magic that feels fresh and empowering without being preachy.
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Kpop Demon Hunters
by Jessica Yoon
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 720L
A genuinely fun adventure that centers K-pop fandom and Korean-American identity without preaching — the kind of book kids reach for because the premise alone hooks them, and they stay for the character work.
Theft of the Ruby Lotus
by Sayantani DasGupta
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 750L · 2026
A richly woven fantasy adventure that threads South Asian folklore and mythology into genuinely inventive magic-system worldbuilding; Kiranmala's agency and the ensemble cast of friends make it stand out from generic quest narratives.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
by L. Frank Baum
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2018
The fourth Oz book is looser and more digressive than The Wonderful Wizard, with a genuine earthquake as inciting incident and stranger magical lands; kids who love worldbuilding over tight plotting will devour it.