The Magic Tree House series introduced us to fantasy worlds while also teaching us about history and friendships. We searched for books that would combine the time travel, fantasy, and mystery that we love from the book series with diverse stories and characters you may have never heard of.
Check out these twenty-five alternatives to the Magic Tree House.
1. Secret Spy Society
Three little mystery-loving girls discover a secret society of famous female spies. These ladies give the girls a chance to prove themselves capable of solving mysteries.
Reading Level: Grade Kindergarten - 4
Learn more: Amazon
2. Tashi
Tashi, Jack's imaginary friend, Tashi, has had some wild adventures! Giants, ghosts, demons, witches, genies, and more fairy tale characters all come to life through these entertaining mystery stories.
Reading Level: Grade 1-3
Learn more: Amazon
3. The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls
Follow two siblings and their dog as they travel back in time to Biblical stories in history. These Christian chapter books are great aloud books for family time!
Reading Level: Grade 1-8
Learn more: Amazon
4. The Torchbearers
After Prem makes a wish, he finds himself on a quest to stop demons and bring gods back to power. This book uses Indian mythology and will introduce your readers to characters they may never have imagined.
Reading Level: Grade 1-8
Learn more: Good Reads
5. Time Warp Trio
Three friends travel back in time with the help of a book from a magician. Together they face harrowing adventures with both comedy and magic.
Reading Level: Grade 2-4
Learn more: Amazon
6. Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park
After the death of his grandfather, Jake finds codes, riddles, and maps that his grandfather left for him to solve. These lead Jake and his friends to the Rocky Mountain National Park where they learn about survival skills, history, and friendship.
Reading Level: Grade 2-5
Learn more: Amazon
7. The Order of Time
Two eleven-year-old twins discover their mentor is part of a secret society called the Order of Time and it is now up to the twins to travel back in time and face assassins and angry gods.
8. The Ice Whisperers
After losing her mother, Bela must live with her uncle in Siberia. In his workshop, she finds a secret doorway that takes her to the past where she teams up with her long-lost sister to save the Spirit World.
Reading Level: Grade 2-6
Learn more: Amazon
9. The Land of Stories
Two twins are transported to a magical world where fairy tales are real. These are not our familiar fairy tales, though! Chase heart-pounding adventure in this series from Chris Colfer.
Reading Level: Grade 2-6
Learn more: Amazon
10. Story Thieves
One day, Owen witnesses a classmate climb out of a book in the library. He promises to keep her secret in exchange for taking him into his favorite book.
Reading Level: Grade 2-6
Learn more: Amazon
11. Time Stoppers
Readers with an eye for adventure will love this duology! After being rescued from her new foster home by a dwarf on a snowmobile, Annie finds herself in a magical town on the coast of Maine. As she is discovering this city of magic and fairy tale creatures, she finds out that she is a Time Stopper and her mission is to protect the enchanted.
Reading Level: Grade 3-6
Learn more: Amazon
12. Orla and the Wild Hunt
After the death of their mother, Orla, and her brother travel to Ireland to stay with their grandmother. They're enjoying their time with her and her magical stories until she disappears. With the help of a local boy and a garden creature, the siblings set out to rescue their grandmother.
Reading Level: Grade 3-6
Learn more: Amazon
13. Tuesdays at the Castle
Princess Celie loves Tuesdays at Castle Glower because that's when a new room or wing shows up in the castle. One day, the King and Queen are ambushed and no one knows their way around the castle better than Celie. Can she save the kingdom?
Reading Level: Grade 3-6
Learn more: Amazon
14. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
When Percy Jackson gets sent to Camp Half-Blood, he discovers the family secret that he's actually a son of Poseidon. These fabulous chapter books are beloved by many middle-grade readers.
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
15. The Library of Ever
One day, Lenora discovers a secret doorway to the best library ever. This library holds every answer to every question and when Lenora becomes the new apprentice librarian, it becomes her job to find the answers.
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
16. Greystone Secrets
When three siblings find reports of three missing children that match their own descriptions, they start to have some questions. At the same time, their mom disappears on a sudden trip, but she leaves behind hidden rooms, puzzles, and secrets for the siblings to find.
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
17. The Mysterious Benedict Society
Four gifted children are sent on a secret mission to go undercover at a learning institute. Together they are forced to solve many puzzles and mysteries. Bestselling author, Rick Riordan, recommended this series by saying, "...great cast of characters, lots of cool puzzles and mysteries."
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
18. Aru Shah and the End of Time
The Lamp of Bharata is cursed and must not be lit, but when Aru Shah ignores that warning to impress her classmates, she accidentally frees an ancient demon. Aru must journey through the Kingdom of Death to save everyone from the god of destruction.
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
19. The Enchanted Wood
This series also involves a magic tree! Three kids stumble upon a magic Faraway Tree where magical creatures live. Together they travel to magical lands and face adventures. Many fantastical books we love are believed to have stemmed from this classic children's book.
Reading Level: Grade 3-7
Learn more: Amazon
20. The Marvellers
The Arcanum Training Institute is a school in the clouds where students can practice cultural magic and Ella is the first conjuror to ever attend. Being the first means she's targeted and she quickly finds herself in the middle of a magical scandal.
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Learn more: Amazon
21. Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
Pilar is a thirteen-year-old living in Chicago. When she finds out her sister's professor investigates disappearances, she begs him to investigate the disappearance of her cousin, Natasha. However, once she gets to his office, she is transported to a magical island called Zafa. Pilar will have to face some scary opposition if she hopes to escape with her life...and her missing cousin.
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Learn more: Amazon
22. Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms
Two years ago, Cameron's parents disappeared and ever since then, his grandmother has kept his favorite book locked away from him. When he and his two best friends find the book and open it, they're all transported to the magical world of Chidani. The world is in danger and they believe Cameron is the hero they've been waiting for. This story is a combination of mythology and West African history.
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Learn more: Amazon
23. Winterhouse
Elizabeth Somer gets shipped off to Winterhouse Hotel and falls in love with the hotel and its library. She finds a book of puzzles that unlocks secrets about the owners of the hotel. Can she solve the mystery of the hotel and break its curse?
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Learn more: Amazon
24. Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation
Charlie Thorne must save the world. In this series, Charlie Thorne, the world's youngest and smartest genius, must solve puzzles left by historical figures such as Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Cleopatra.
Reading Level: Grade 5-6
Learn more: Amazon
25. Greenglass House
Milo plans to spend his winter holidays relaxing in his parents' inn. However, on the first night of vacation, a guest shows up and all his plans are ruined. Together with the cook's daughter, Melly, the two must solve the mystery of the Greenglass House.
Reading Level: Grade 5-7
Learn more: Amazon
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