R. A. Spratt
Friday Barnes
A breezy, fast-paced entry into the magical school genre that feels fresh because it’s grounded in a very specific, quirky London setting.
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The Demigod Files
by Rick Riordan
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 720L · 2010
A bridge book that deepens the Percy Jackson universe without advancing the main plot — best read after Book 1, not as entry point; the three novellas reward fans but don't standalone.
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
by Don Martin
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2025
A solid middle-grade adventure with a genuinely original magic system (voice as power) and a protagonist who feels like an outsider; the pacing is brisk and the curse mystery lands, though the emotional stakes are moderate.
The Curse Breaker
by Jen Calonita
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2026
A solid fantasy-adventure with a cursed-princess protagonist who actually investigates her own story instead of waiting for rescue — the curse is the engine of the plot, not decoration.