Award category archive

Kirkus Best Books of the Year – Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF Winners

Browse Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF winners and nominees by year. This archive follows one award category across the full Kirkus Best Books of the Year history.

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF Cross-year archive

2025

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2025 award year.

View full 2025 awards

Bird of a Thousand Stories

Monsef, Kiyash

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Defanged

Edgmon, H.E.

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Edge of the Silver Sea

Mullarky, Alex

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Forest of a Thousand Eyes

Hardinge, Frances

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Garden Just Beyond

Leavitt, Lindsey

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Lin, Grace

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Graciela in the Abyss

Medina, Meg

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Ink Witch

Cherrywell, Steph

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Island of Forgotten Gods

Pineiro, Victor

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Last Ember

Dodd, Lily Berlin

The Aerimander Chronicles Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Nov-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Last Resort

Kelly, Erin Entrada

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Poisoned King

Rundell, Katherine

Impossible Creatures Series · Book 2 · Fantasy

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Scarlet Morning

Stevenson, N.D.

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Story of Gumluck and the Heroes

Rex, Adam

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

Hartman, Aubrey

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Village Beyond the Mist

Kashiwaba, Sachiko

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

2024

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2024 award year.

View full 2024 awards

Amir and the Jinn Princess

Khan, M.T.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

DnDoggos

Underhill, Scout

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Eowulf: Of Monsters & Middle School

Cavallaro, Mike

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

A Game of Noctis

Fagan, Deva

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Impossible Creatures

Rundell, Katherine

Impossible Creatures Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Sep-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Island of Whispers

Hardinge, Frances

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Farmer, Craig Kofi

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Lunar Boy

Wibowo, Cin; Wibowo, Jes

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Majestica

Tolcser, Sarah

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Out of the Valley of Horses

Orr, Wendy

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

2023

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2023 award year.

View full 2023 awards

The Demon Sword Asperides

Horwitz, Sarah Jean

Standalone · Fantasy

Jul-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Elf Dog and Owl Head

Anderson, M.T.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Forever Twelve

McAnulty, Stacy

The Evers Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom

Varela, Nina

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Juniper's Christmas

Colfer, Eoin

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Just a Pinch of Magic

Dow, Alechia

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Mossheart's Promise

Mix, Rebecca

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard

Rex, Adam

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Sun and the Star

Riordan, Rick

Percy Jackson / Camp Half-Blood Universe Series · Book 16 · Action Adventure

May-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Sun and the Star

Riordan, Rick

A Nico di Angelo Adventure Series · Book 1 · Action Adventure

May-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

2022

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2022 award year.

View full 2022 awards

Black Bird, Blue Road

Pasternack, Sofiya

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Ghostcloud

Mann, Michael

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Last Mapmaker

Soontornvat, Christina

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Legend of the Dream Giants

Hansen, Dustin

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Marvellers

Clayton, Dhonielle

The Conjureverse Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Ogress and the Orphans

Barnhill, Kelly

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Patron Thief of Bread

Eagar, Lindsay

Standalone · Historical

May-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Secrets of the Stormforest

Lapinski, L.D.

Strangeworlds Travel Agency Series · Book 3 · Fantasy

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Thunderbird

Nimr, Sonia

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

2021

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2021 award year.

View full 2021 awards

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Rivera, Kaela

Cece Rios Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Apr-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Da Vinci's Cat

Murdock, Catherine Gilbert

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Dust & Grim

Wendig, Chuck

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Great Bear

Robertson, David A.

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Last Cuentista

Higuera, Donna Barba

The Last Cuentista Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt

Williams, Rhiannon

Standalone · Fantasy

Mar-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Stroud, Jonathan

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

River Magic

Booraem, Ellen

Standalone · Fantasy

May-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

Lapinski, L.D.

Strangeworlds Travel Agency Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Time Villains

Pineiro, Victor

Time Villains Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Jul-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

Ursu, Anne

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The War to Save the Worlds

Ahmed, Samira

Amira & Hamza Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Sep-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Willa of Dark Hollow

Beatty, Robert

Willa Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

May-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

2020

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF results for the 2020 award year.

View full 2020 awards

The Barren Grounds

Robertson, David A.

The Misewa Saga Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Curse of the Night Witch

Aster, Alex

Emblem Island Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Jun-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch

Abe, Julie

Eva Evergreen Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Aug-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Girl and the Ghost

Alkaf, Hanna

Standalone · Fantasy

Aug-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Girl Giant and the Monkey King

Hoang, Van

Girl Giant Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Dec-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street

Oliver, Lauren

Standalone · Fantasy

Feb-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Maya and the Rising Dark

Barron, Rena

Maya and the Rising Dark Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

Mejia, Tehlor Kay

Paola Santiago Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Aug-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Race to the Sun

Roanhorse, Rebecca

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Secret Life of Sam

Ventrella, Kim

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Sisters of Straygarden Place

Chewins, Hayley

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Spindlefish and Stars

Andrews, Christiane M.

Standalone · Fantasy

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

The Water Bears

Baker, Kim

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF *

Browse Award Categories

YA Fiction Archive Middle-Grade Fiction Archive Debut Fiction Archive YA Fantasy and SF Archive Picture Books Celebrating Family Archive Book Club Fiction Archive Short Fiction Archive Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF Current page Middle-Grade Graphic Fiction Archive Mysteries and Thrillers Archive Historical Fiction Archive Romance Archive

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