36 Books like The Twenty-One Balloons

Baron Trump's Marvelous Underground Journey

by Ingersoll Lockwood

A dog's wanderlust drives a young baron through Russia's north and into the hollow earth below.

3.44

442

🌍 Hollow Earth 🐕 Boy And His Dog 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🎭 Philosophical Satire 🦸 Animal Hero

Baron Trump's Marvelous Underground Journey Summary

Baron Trump's Marvelous Underground Journey 91%

A dog's wanderlust drives a young baron through Russia's north and into the hollow earth below.

by Ingersoll Lockwood 1893

3.44

442 ratings

🌍 Hollow Earth 🐕 Boy And His Dog 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🎭 Philosophical Satire 🦸 Animal Hero

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum • 1900

A Kansas girl walks a golden road, seeking the wizard who can send her home.

4.00

516k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🗺️ Quest Fantasy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🦁 Self-Doubt Heroes 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 92%

A Kansas girl walks a golden road, seeking the wizard who can send her home.

by L. Frank Baum 1900

4.00

516k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🗺️ Quest Fantasy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🦁 Self-Doubt Heroes 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

by Geronimo Stilton • 2004

A timid mouse editor is thrust into a high-seas treasure hunt by his sister's mysterious map.

4.09

16k+

🗺️ Treasure Hunt Adventure 🐭 Anthropomorphic Animals 😰 Reluctant Adventurer 👫 Sibling Adventure ✨ Whimsical

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye Summary

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye 91%

A timid mouse editor is thrust into a high-seas treasure hunt by his sister's mysterious map.

by Geronimo Stilton 2004

4.09

16k+ ratings

🗺️ Treasure Hunt Adventure 🐭 Anthropomorphic Animals 😰 Reluctant Adventurer 👫 Sibling Adventure ✨ Whimsical

Howl’s Moving Castle

by Diana Wynne Jones • 1986

Cursed into a crone, Sophie bargains with a fire demon inside the wizard Howl's wandering castle.

4.28

455k+

🧚 Fairy Tale Subversion 💕 Enemies To Lovers 🏰 Found Family 🧙 Cursed By A Witch 🔥 Deal With A Demon

Howl’s Moving Castle 91%

Cursed into a crone, Sophie bargains with a fire demon inside the wizard Howl's wandering castle.

by Diana Wynne Jones 1986

4.28

455k+ ratings

🧚 Fairy Tale Subversion 💕 Enemies To Lovers 🏰 Found Family 🧙 Cursed By A Witch 🔥 Deal With A Demon

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

by T. Kingfisher • 2020

Teen baker's bread magic makes her a murder suspect and the target of a mage-killing assassin.

4.05

70k+

🍞 Baking Magic 🫖 Cozy Fantasy Energy 🤝 Found Family 🪄 Persecuted Mages 🛡️ Siege Survival

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking Summary

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking 91%

Teen baker's bread magic makes her a murder suspect and the target of a mage-killing assassin.

by T. Kingfisher 2020

4.05

70k+ ratings

🍞 Baking Magic 🫖 Cozy Fantasy Energy 🤝 Found Family 🪄 Persecuted Mages 🛡️ Siege Survival

Farmer Giles of Ham

by J.R.R. Tolkien • 1999

A lazy farmer and a magic sword must outwit a dragon before it plunders the village.

3.9

13k+

🃏 Humorous Fantasy 🤷 Reluctant Hero ⚔️ Magical Sword 🐉 Talking Dragon ✨ Whimsical Fantasy

Farmer Giles of Ham 90%

A lazy farmer and a magic sword must outwit a dragon before it plunders the village.

by J.R.R. Tolkien 1999

3.9

13k+ ratings

🃏 Humorous Fantasy 🤷 Reluctant Hero ⚔️ Magical Sword 🐉 Talking Dragon ✨ Whimsical Fantasy

The Ice Monster

by David Walliams • 2018

To return a resurrected mammoth home, a Victorian orphan steals a warship and outruns a hunter.

4.20

9k+

🧒 Plucky Orphan Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🐘 Animal Rescue Quest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Victorian London 🎈 Madcap Schemes

The Ice Monster 90%

To return a resurrected mammoth home, a Victorian orphan steals a warship and outruns a hunter.

by David Walliams 2018

4.20

9k+ ratings

🧒 Plucky Orphan Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🐘 Animal Rescue Quest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Victorian London 🎈 Madcap Schemes

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

by Chris Grabenstein • 2013

An eccentric game-maker locks twelve kids in his library and dares them to escape.

4.12

62k+

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 📚 Library Adventure 🤝 Team Competition 🎩 Eccentric Benefactor ✨ Whimsical Adventure

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Summary

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library 90%

An eccentric game-maker locks twelve kids in his library and dares them to escape.

by Chris Grabenstein 2013

4.12

62k+ ratings

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 📚 Library Adventure 🤝 Team Competition 🎩 Eccentric Benefactor ✨ Whimsical Adventure

Stig of the Dump

by Clive King • 1963

Down a chalk pit, Barney finds a wild boy who builds a life from discarded things.

3.91

12k+

⏳ Time-Slip Fantasy 🌿 Wild Boy 🌳 Pastoral Adventure 👥 Buddy Adventure 🎭 Imaginative Play

Stig of the Dump 90%

Down a chalk pit, Barney finds a wild boy who builds a life from discarded things.

by Clive King 1963

3.91

12k+ ratings

⏳ Time-Slip Fantasy 🌿 Wild Boy 🌳 Pastoral Adventure 👥 Buddy Adventure 🎭 Imaginative Play

The Merchant of Death

by D.J. MacHale • 2002

His uncle drags him through a portal to a world where an uprising could destroy everyone.

3.97

53k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 😰 Reluctant Chosen One 💔 Mentor Sacrifice 🤝 Unlikely Allies ✊ Oppressed Uprising

The Merchant of Death 90%

His uncle drags him through a portal to a world where an uprising could destroy everyone.

by D.J. MacHale 2002

3.97

53k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 😰 Reluctant Chosen One 💔 Mentor Sacrifice 🤝 Unlikely Allies ✊ Oppressed Uprising

Half Magic

by Edward Eager • 1954

A coin grants exactly half of every wish, and four siblings must outsmart their own desires.

3.95

39k+

🪙 Ironic Wishes 📚 Old-Fashioned Fantasy 👫 Sibling Adventure Squad 🏠 Found Family 💔 Grief And Healing

Half Magic 90%

A coin grants exactly half of every wish, and four siblings must outsmart their own desires.

by Edward Eager 1954

3.95

39k+ ratings

🪙 Ironic Wishes 📚 Old-Fashioned Fantasy 👫 Sibling Adventure Squad 🏠 Found Family 💔 Grief And Healing

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins • 2003

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

4.04

115k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

Gregor the Overlander 90%

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

by Suzanne Collins 2003

4.04

115k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

Stanley, Flat Again!

by Jeff Brown • 2003

Stanley Lambchop is flat again. This time, his strangest problem might be someone's only hope.

3.92

3k+

📚 Early Chapter Books 🎈 Absurd Premise 😊 Gently Humorous 🦸 Reluctant Hero 👨‍👦 Sibling Dynamics

Stanley, Flat Again! 90%

Stanley Lambchop is flat again. This time, his strangest problem might be someone's only hope.

by Jeff Brown 2003

3.92

3k+ ratings

📚 Early Chapter Books 🎈 Absurd Premise 😊 Gently Humorous 🦸 Reluctant Hero 👨‍👦 Sibling Dynamics

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl • 2005

A starving boy tours a candy wizard's sealed factory, where spoiled children meet their match.

4.17

945k+

🎭 Whimsical Morality Tale 🏆 Virtue Rewarded 😈 Spoiled Child Downfall 🌟 Poor Hero Rises 🎩 Eccentric Mentor

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 91%

A starving boy tours a candy wizard's sealed factory, where spoiled children meet their match.

by Roald Dahl 2005

4.17

945k+ ratings

🎭 Whimsical Morality Tale 🏆 Virtue Rewarded 😈 Spoiled Child Downfall 🌟 Poor Hero Rises 🎩 Eccentric Mentor

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

by Andrew Peterson • 2008

In a seaside village ruled by lizard monsters, three ordinary siblings learn they are lost royalty.

4.32

34k+

🫅 Hidden Royal Heritage 👫 Sibling Adventure 🌑 Dark Whimsy 🌊 Coastal Village 🧦 Eccentric Protector

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness Summary

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness 91%

In a seaside village ruled by lizard monsters, three ordinary siblings learn they are lost royalty.

by Andrew Peterson 2008

4.32

34k+ ratings

🫅 Hidden Royal Heritage 👫 Sibling Adventure 🌑 Dark Whimsy 🌊 Coastal Village 🧦 Eccentric Protector

The House at the Edge of Magic

by Amy Sparkes

A stolen palm-sized house erupts into a prison where a wizard offers a jewel for escape.

3.69

5k+

🏠 Magical House 🫂 Found Family 🗝️ Orphan Thief ⚔️ Sibling Rivalry 🧩 Puzzle Quest

The House at the Edge of Magic 90%

A stolen palm-sized house erupts into a prison where a wizard offers a jewel for escape.

by Amy Sparkes 2021

3.69

5k+ ratings

🏠 Magical House 🫂 Found Family 🗝️ Orphan Thief ⚔️ Sibling Rivalry 🧩 Puzzle Quest

Museum of Thieves

by Lian Tanner • 2010

A chained girl escapes into a living museum, where the wildness her city buried is waking.

3.92

6k+

🏛️ Living Museum 🌪️ Wild Magic 🗡️ Thief Training 🤝 Found Family 🐾 Loyal Beast Companion

Museum of Thieves 90%

A chained girl escapes into a living museum, where the wildness her city buried is waking.

by Lian Tanner 2010

3.92

6k+ ratings

🏛️ Living Museum 🌪️ Wild Magic 🗡️ Thief Training 🤝 Found Family 🐾 Loyal Beast Companion

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer • 2001

A twelve-year-old genius kidnaps a fairy and demands gold. Her people have hours to pay.

3.86

563k+

🏦 Heist Fantasy 🧠 Child Genius ⚔️ Antihero Protagonist 🌿 Fairy Underworld ⚡ Tech Meets Magic

Artemis Fowl 90%

A twelve-year-old genius kidnaps a fairy and demands gold. Her people have hours to pay.

by Eoin Colfer 2001

3.86

563k+ ratings

🏦 Heist Fantasy 🧠 Child Genius ⚔️ Antihero Protagonist 🌿 Fairy Underworld ⚡ Tech Meets Magic

The Secret Seven

by Enid Blyton • 2006

A children's secret club investigates a midnight van and discovers a racehorse hidden in a cellar.

3.9

12k+

🕵️ Secret Club Mystery 🔍 Kid Detectives 🌙 Nighttime Adventures 🧠 Kids Outwit Adults 🧸 Wholesome Mystery

The Secret Seven 90%

A children's secret club investigates a midnight van and discovers a racehorse hidden in a cellar.

by Enid Blyton 2006

3.9

12k+ ratings

🕵️ Secret Club Mystery 🔍 Kid Detectives 🌙 Nighttime Adventures 🧠 Kids Outwit Adults 🧸 Wholesome Mystery

The Hobbit, Part One

by J.R.R. Tolkien • 1937

A wizard recruits a timid hobbit as burglar for thirteen dwarves marching on a dragon's mountain.

4.32

384k+

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 🐉 Dragon Hoard 🦶 Reluctant Hero 🧙 Wizard Mentor 💛 Found Family

The Hobbit, Part One 90%

A wizard recruits a timid hobbit as burglar for thirteen dwarves marching on a dragon's mountain.

by J.R.R. Tolkien 1937

4.32

384k+ ratings

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 🐉 Dragon Hoard 🦶 Reluctant Hero 🧙 Wizard Mentor 💛 Found Family

The Hobbit

by Chuck Dixon • 2001

A home-loving hobbit is swept into a dwarven quest to reclaim their kingdom from a dragon.

4.51

277k+

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 💛 Found Family 💎 Dragon Hoard 🧙 Wizard Mentor ✨ Whimsical Quest

The Hobbit 90%

A home-loving hobbit is swept into a dwarven quest to reclaim their kingdom from a dragon.

by Chuck Dixon 2001

4.51

277k+ ratings

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 💛 Found Family 💎 Dragon Hoard 🧙 Wizard Mentor ✨ Whimsical Quest

Haroun and the Sea of Stories

by Salman Rushdie • 1990

His father's stories vanish. A genie takes him to a moon where tales are water.

3.98

38k+

🏰 Allegorical Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📢 Free Speech Allegory 📚 Books About Stories 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

Haroun and the Sea of Stories 90%

His father's stories vanish. A genie takes him to a moon where tales are water.

by Salman Rushdie 1990

3.98

38k+ ratings

🏰 Allegorical Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📢 Free Speech Allegory 📚 Books About Stories 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

The Lifters

by Dave Eggers • 2018

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

3.61

2k+

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The Lifters 90%

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

by Dave Eggers 2018

3.61

2k+ ratings

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The BFG

by Roald Dahl • 1982

A girl snatched by a giant learns he's a dream-giver, but his man-eating neighbors aren't.

4.23

532k+

🏠 Orphan Protagonist 🦸 Gentle Giant 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🌑 Dark Whimsy

The BFG 90%

A girl snatched by a giant learns he's a dream-giver, but his man-eating neighbors aren't.

by Roald Dahl 1982

4.23

532k+ ratings

🏠 Orphan Protagonist 🦸 Gentle Giant 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🌑 Dark Whimsy

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

Through a wardrobe, four children find a witch's winter and the lion who will end it.

4.24

3.2M+

🚪 Portal Fantasy ✝️ Christian Allegory 👫 Sibling Adventure 🦁 Messianic Sacrifice 🦡 Talking Animals

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Summary

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 90%

Through a wardrobe, four children find a witch's winter and the lion who will end it.

by C.S. Lewis 1950

4.24

3.2M+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy ✝️ Christian Allegory 👫 Sibling Adventure 🦁 Messianic Sacrifice 🦡 Talking Animals

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle • 1962

A girl folds space with her brother to save their father from a planet of crushing sameness.

3.97

1.3M+

🚀 Science Fantasy 🌌 Cosmic Adventure 💕 Sibling Loyalty 🌟 Ordinary Hero 🌑 Whimsical Darkness

A Wrinkle in Time 91%

A girl folds space with her brother to save their father from a planet of crushing sameness.

by Madeleine L'Engle 1962

3.97

1.3M+ ratings

🚀 Science Fantasy 🌌 Cosmic Adventure 💕 Sibling Loyalty 🌟 Ordinary Hero 🌑 Whimsical Darkness

The Rise of Flynn Rider

by Jen Calonita • 2021

To become Flynn Rider, an orphan risks his circus family on a heist for a lost princess.

3.89

604

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🎪 Circus Fantasy 👑 Hidden Royalty 🎭 Secret Identity 🗝️ Reluctant Thief

The Rise of Flynn Rider 91%

To become Flynn Rider, an orphan risks his circus family on a heist for a lost princess.

by Jen Calonita 2021

3.89

604 ratings

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🎪 Circus Fantasy 👑 Hidden Royalty 🎭 Secret Identity 🗝️ Reluctant Thief

The Library of Ever

by Zeno Alexander • 2019

A bored girl finds a door into a magical library, where protecting books means fighting the dark.

3.77

2k+

🏛️ Magical Library 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📚 Librarian Hero 🤝 Unlikely Allies 🐋 Talking Animals

The Library of Ever 90%

A bored girl finds a door into a magical library, where protecting books means fighting the dark.

by Zeno Alexander 2019

3.77

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Magical Library 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📚 Librarian Hero 🤝 Unlikely Allies 🐋 Talking Animals

The Mysterious Benedict Society

by Trenton Lee Stewart • 2007

Four extraordinary kids ace a strange test, then infiltrate an academy built on mind control.

4.20

177k+

🧩 Puzzle Box Mystery 🕵️ Spy School Adventure 🖤 Found Family 🧠 Gifted Children Team 🌀 Mind Control Plot

The Mysterious Benedict Society 90%

Four extraordinary kids ace a strange test, then infiltrate an academy built on mind control.

by Trenton Lee Stewart 2007

4.20

177k+ ratings

🧩 Puzzle Box Mystery 🕵️ Spy School Adventure 🖤 Found Family 🧠 Gifted Children Team 🌀 Mind Control Plot

The Enchanted Wood

by Enid Blyton • 1939

Three siblings discover a giant magic tree whose top opens onto a new land every day.

4.25

31k+

🍵 Cozy Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔎 Sibling Adventurers 🌳 Woodland Magic 🎭 Eccentric Characters

The Enchanted Wood 90%

Three siblings discover a giant magic tree whose top opens onto a new land every day.

by Enid Blyton 1939

4.25

31k+ ratings

🍵 Cozy Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔎 Sibling Adventurers 🌳 Woodland Magic 🎭 Eccentric Characters

La Belle Sauvage

by Philip Pullman • 2017

An innkeeper's son, a prophetic infant, and a flood that sweeps them into a hidden war.

4.15

114k+

🫂 Found Family 🛡️ Unlikely Guardians 🛶 River Odyssey 🎓 Alternate Oxford ⛪ Religious Oppression

La Belle Sauvage 90%

An innkeeper's son, a prophetic infant, and a flood that sweeps them into a hidden war.

by Philip Pullman 2017

4.15

114k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🛡️ Unlikely Guardians 🛶 River Odyssey 🎓 Alternate Oxford ⛪ Religious Oppression

The Prophecy of the Stones

by Flavia Bujor • 2002

Three girls share one prophecy and three stones. To save the realm, enemies must become allies.

3.51

7k+

🪨 Prophecy Quest 👩‍👩‍👩 Trio Of Heroines 🤝 Reluctant Allies 🔥 Redemption Arc ✨ Whimsical Adventure

The Prophecy of the Stones 90%

Three girls share one prophecy and three stones. To save the realm, enemies must become allies.

by Flavia Bujor 2002

3.51

7k+ ratings

🪨 Prophecy Quest 👩‍👩‍👩 Trio Of Heroines 🤝 Reluctant Allies 🔥 Redemption Arc ✨ Whimsical Adventure

The Wishing Spell

by Chris Colfer • 2012

A magical book pulls twins into a fairy-tale world. They must find storybook relics to get home.

4.26

161k+

🌌 Portal Fantasy 🧚 Fractured Fairy Tales 👯 Twin Protagonists 🗝️ Magical Scavenger Hunt 🔍 Hidden Lineage

The Wishing Spell 90%

A magical book pulls twins into a fairy-tale world. They must find storybook relics to get home.

by Chris Colfer 2012

4.26

161k+ ratings

🌌 Portal Fantasy 🧚 Fractured Fairy Tales 👯 Twin Protagonists 🗝️ Magical Scavenger Hunt 🔍 Hidden Lineage

Five on a Treasure Island

by Enid Blyton • 1942

Four children follow a shipwreck map into island dungeons to find gold before scheming adults.

4.13

37k+

🗺️ Treasure Hunt Adventure 👧 Tomboy Protagonist 🐕 Loyal Animal Companion 🫂 Found Family 🏝️ Island Adventure

Five on a Treasure Island 90%

Four children follow a shipwreck map into island dungeons to find gold before scheming adults.

by Enid Blyton 1942

4.13

37k+ ratings

🗺️ Treasure Hunt Adventure 👧 Tomboy Protagonist 🐕 Loyal Animal Companion 🫂 Found Family 🏝️ Island Adventure

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

by Daniel Nayeri • 2023

On the Silk Road, an orphan must outlast the killers chasing the storytelling merchant he loves.

3.96

3k+

🐪 Silk Road Adventure 🫂 Found Family 👦 Orphan Protagonist 🎭 Darkly Comic Quest 🏜️ Desert Survival

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams Summary

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams 90%

On the Silk Road, an orphan must outlast the killers chasing the storytelling merchant he loves.

by Daniel Nayeri 2023

3.96

3k+ ratings

🐪 Silk Road Adventure 🫂 Found Family 👦 Orphan Protagonist 🎭 Darkly Comic Quest 🏜️ Desert Survival

A Spell for Chameleon

by Piers Anthony • 1977

Bink has no magic in enchanted Xanth. At twenty-five, exile comes unless he proves his gift exists.

3.92

48k+

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 🪄 Hidden Magic 🎭 Shifting Identity 🌫️ Illusion Magic ✨ Whimsical Fantasy

A Spell for Chameleon 90%

Bink has no magic in enchanted Xanth. At twenty-five, exile comes unless he proves his gift exists.

by Piers Anthony 1977

3.92

48k+ ratings

🗺️ Quest Fantasy 🪄 Hidden Magic 🎭 Shifting Identity 🌫️ Illusion Magic ✨ Whimsical Fantasy

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