The Land of Stories Complete Paperback Gift Set

A secret world of mythical creatures hidden alongside our own — same sense of wonder and portal-fantasy stakes, with tighter pacing and a duo at the center.

Readers who loved the feeling of stepping through a portal into a world that shouldn't exist — and finding it far more dangerous than expected — will find a lot to love in Impossible Creatures. Katherine Rundell's fantasy follows two children who discover a secret archipelago where every creature from myth and legend still lives, but a creeping extinction threatens to destroy it all. Like The Land of Stories, it pairs a modern-day protagonist with a richly imagined secondary world, leans into classic mythology rather than reinventing it wholesale, and gives readers a young duo to root for. If you're looking for books like The Land of Stories for kids aged 8–12 who love adventure, animals, and high stakes wrapped in lyrical writing, Impossible Creatures belongs on your list.

Another beloved middle grade multi-book fantasy saga with a fully realized secondary world, political intrigue, and a prophecy-driven ensemble cast.

If the scope and world-building of The Land of Stories Complete Paperback Gift Set was part of the appeal — six books, multiple kingdoms, an expanding cast of characters — then Wings of Fire is the natural next series to hand a middle grade reader. Tui T. Sutherland's dragon epic follows different young dragon protagonists across each book as they navigate warring tribes, ancient prophecies, and the messy question of whether destiny is real. Like Chris Colfer's series, it rewards readers who commit across multiple volumes, layering in lore and character growth that pays off big by the final books. Kids aged 8–12 who ask "what should I read after The Land of Stories?" and want something equally long and immersive will find Wings of Fire a satisfying answer.

A child with extraordinary gifts navigating a world that underestimates her — Dahl's sharp humor and heart mirror Colfer's blend of magic and emotional depth.

Alex Bailey in The Land of Stories is, at her core, a bookish kid who turns out to be more powerful than anyone around her expected. Matilda is the classic version of that story: a girl of extraordinary intelligence and, eventually, telekinetic ability, who uses her gifts to overcome the small-minded adults in her life. Roald Dahl's sharp, funny, and surprisingly moving novel shares the emotional DNA of The Land of Stories — both celebrate children who love books, both have genuine warmth beneath the adventure, and both trust young readers with real emotional stakes. For parents and gift-givers searching for books like The Land of Stories for ages 8–12, Matilda is a timeless choice that pairs beautifully with Colfer's series and has the added bonus of being a beloved classroom staple.