When the evenings turn brisk and the porch lights flicker on, it’s the perfect season to curl up with stories where lanterns glow against the dark and courage wins the day. If you’re choosing fall reads for kids (especially the 9–13 range) and want adventure without nihilism, these ten Christian fantasy authors deliver worlds where danger is real, good and evil are discernible, and hope gets the last word. Read them aloud, talk about the choices characters make, and let these books become part of your family’s autumn rhythm.
1) C. S. Lewis
Why he belongs in October:
No one charts the terrain of light and shadow for young readers like Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia gives you winter that feels endless, a witch whose promises glitter and rot, and a lion whose sacrifice thaws the world. The series originally appeared in the 1950s and remains the touchstone for countless families because it does more than entertain; it trains moral imagination—temptation has a taste, betrayal has consequences, and mercy changes people.
Where to begin:
Most families still start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lewis himself discussed reading order later on; but publication order keeps the emotional arc that has hooked generations. Either way, you’re in good hands. The official Narnia resources confirm the seven-book set and the long-running order conversation; choose the path that best suits your readers.
What to talk about with kids:
- Why Turkish Delight worked on Edmund.
- What “always winter and never Christmas” feels like in real life.
- How forgiveness restores relationships—and what it costs to offer it.
2) G. B. Sollie
Why he belongs in October:
Sollie writes for the exact age where kids are beginning to test courage in real ways. Cat Luker: The Swamp Witch Chronicles unfolds in 1930s rural Alabama—foggy swamps, whispered dares, friends who decide whether to run or stand. The atmosphere is seasonally spooky but stays anchored to conscience, friendship, and the idea that small faithful choices change a town. On the author’s site, the series is introduced as a time-tinted, faith-filled adventure for middle-grade readers, with “Journey to the Light” language that makes it easy to connect chapters to life conversations. The product listing notes a 9–13 reading age, which is right where parents are looking for meaningful fall reads.
Where to begin:
Start with The Dark Clock, the opening volume. Some editions and listings identify it as Book One in the Cat Luker series and place it in that middle-grade sweet spot.
What to talk about with kids:
- Dares and discernment—how to decide when “be brave” actually means “be wise.”
- Why groups can make you braver—or more reckless.
- How telling the truth early keeps a story from getting darker.
3) Andrew Peterson
Why he belongs in October:
Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga feels made for chilly nights and cocoa mugs: ancient maps, cliff-top towns, and creatures with names kids love to say out loud (toothy cows! Fangs of Dang!). Beneath the whimsy runs a profound current: family loyalty, hidden identity, and the choice to stand when it’s costly. The official site introduces the series’ world (Aerwiar) and the Igiby siblings who must face threats seen and unseen—perfect for readers who like their humor with real stakes.
Where to begin:
Book one is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. After that, let momentum do its work—these are “one more chapter” books.
What to talk about with kids:
- What makes a monster monstrous.
- How a family keeps hope when one member is struggling.
- The difference between running away and making a strategic retreat.
4) N. D. Wilson
Why he belongs in October:
Wilson’s 100 Cupboards trilogy is classic “old house with secrets” fantasy—keys, cupboards, and doorways to places that are both wondrous and unsafe. It’s the kind of “creepy” that respects kids: escalations are earned, family bonds matter, and courage grows even when the main character would prefer to stay ordinary. Publisher pages and overviews confirm the trilogy (100 Cupboards, Dandelion Fire, The Chestnut King) and its middle-grade aim.
Where to begin:
Start with 100 Cupboards. If your reader loves “what’s behind that door?” mysteries, you may be ordering the second and third by the end of week one.
What to talk about with kids:
- When curiosity becomes recklessness—and how to tell the difference.
- Why ordinary people are the best candidates for bravery.
- How secrets can hurt or heal, depending on how they’re handled.
5) S. D. Smith
Why he belongs in October:
The Green Ember books are rabbit-sized epics—sword fights, sky patrols, ember-bright hopes. They’re amazingly read-aloud-friendly for younger siblings while still compelling for tweens. The hallmark is “resistance with tenderness”: strength used to protect, not preen. Smith’s own series page summarizes the heart of these stories: humor, hope, and hard choices that shape character.
Where to begin:
The Green Ember (book one) works well for a wide spread of ages if you’re reading across siblings. Independent readers often sprint through the sequels. Reviews and family guides consistently highlight the loyalty and fortitude that keep these tales warm even when danger rises.
What to talk about with kids:
- How communities keep courage alive.
- Why it matters who carries authority—and how they carry it.
- What hope means when the outcome isn’t certain.
6) Donita K. Paul
Why she belongs in October:
Paul’s DragonKeeper Chronicles give you the comfort of classic quest fantasy—dragons, mentors, perilous journeys—set in a world where virtue, humility, and obedience actually matter. These books are especially good for readers who want dragons without cynicism, and who are ready for a little more complexity in world-building. Publisher listings gather the series under an accessible banner, confirming the multibook arc and the recurring “Paladin” motif that invites discussion about true authority.
Where to begin:
DragonSpell introduces Kale, a former slave called into a larger story. It’s a natural handoff from rabbit swords to scaled companions—older tweens who grew up on animal epics often land here next.
What to talk about with kids:
- The difference between raw power and wise authority.
- Why teachability matters more than talent.
- How companions shape the kind of hero you become.
7) Jonathan Rogers
Why he belongs in October:
The Wilderking Trilogy is swamp-textured, Southern-inflected adventure with a David-shaped heartbeat. Aidan Errolson learns that calling grows in thickets and chores long before it sits on a throne. The Rabbit Room store and author/publisher pages outline the trilogy (The Bark of the Bog Owl, The Secret of the Swamp King, The Way of the Wilderking)—and recent anniversary editions have reintroduced a new wave of families to its humor and heft.
Where to begin:
The Bark of the Bog Owl. Expect “quote it at dinner” lines, Feechiefolk mischief, and a buoyant tone that still takes virtue seriously. Recent reviews note that Rogers is effectively retelling David’s story in a fictional land that feels like “Georgia with castles,” which makes it uncannily perfect for leaf-pile season.
What to talk about with kids:
- Calling vs. ambition.
- Why telling the truth to a friend is an act of love.
- Strength that kneels instead of struts.
8) Bryan Davis
Why he belongs in October:
If your reader wants contemporary settings with dragons, Davis’s Dragons in Our Midst scratches that itch—heritage, secret identities, and a modern teen world colliding with ancient realities. The author’s official site lays out how this series dovetails with follow-ups (Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard), which makes it a great on-ramp for older tweens ready to chase an extended saga.
Where to begin:
Raising Dragons opens the door with Billy Bannister and a family history that isn’t what it seems. Kids who love Arthurian lore will spot nods threaded through the action, as other reviewers have pointed out.
What to talk about with kids:
- Gifts and calling—what are they for?
- Integrity under peer pressure.
- How a story can honor legends without worshiping them.
9) Jill Williamson
Why she belongs in October:
Williamson’s Blood of Kings trilogy leans toward older tweens/young teens: swords and squires, mind-speaking gifts, and a realm divided by darkness. Enclave Publishing summarizes book one, By Darkness Hid, and notes the series’ award recognition—useful if you’re looking for a step up in complexity after middle-grade reads. The author’s site likewise frames the series as an epic arc built around identity, training, and hard choices.
Where to begin:
By Darkness Hid (Book 1). Check maturity and attention span; many 12–13 year-olds are ready, especially if they’ve already devoured dragons and doorways. Publisher listings date its original release to 2009—handy context if you like working through complete trilogies.
What to talk about with kids:
- What leadership costs.
- How to test a “voice” to see if it tells the truth.
- The difference between guilt that crushes and conviction that frees.
10) Stephen R. Lawhead
Why he belongs in October:
For families with older teens—or parents looking for their own autumn epic—Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle is a richly imagined, Arthurian-rooted tapestry that blends myth, history, and Christian imagination. The author’s site describes it as his most acclaimed series; it’s historical fantasy rather than middle-grade, but reading at the edge of your child’s horizon can be part of shaping taste and wonder. Lawhead also keeps readers posted on an in-production streaming adaptation, which makes this a timely pick for households that like to read before they watch.
Where to begin:
Taliesin, then Merlin, then Arthur. Later volumes continue the arc, and reference sources track the series history and expansions over time.
What to talk about with teens:
- How cultures are renewed over time.
- Providence vs. fate.
- Why the best myths point beyond themselves.
How to Make These Books a “Fall Practice,” Not Just a List
1) Read together three nights a week for 20 minutes.
Reading aloud keeps pacing and tone in your hands and gives younger siblings a way in. If your tween prefers independence, buddy-read (you take a chapter, they take a chapter) or run parallel with audiobooks.
2) Ask exactly one question after each reading.
- What lie sounded almost true in this chapter?
- Where did someone use strength to serve?
- What would repair (repentance/forgiveness) have looked like sooner?
One question keeps the conversation warm rather than schoolish.
3) Pray one sentence that ties story to life.
“Lord, make us brave and kind like ___.” That’s it. Short prayers stick.
4) Do one tiny “courage act” on the weekend.
Rake a neighbor’s leaves, write a thank-you note to a teacher, share treats with someone who missed out. Stories form habits when they become deeds.
Choosing by Age and Temperament
- Ages 8–10 (family read-aloud): The Green Ember; earlier Narnia volumes; Wilderking can work if read aloud with voices.
- Ages 10–12 (independent readers): 100 Cupboards; Wingfeather; DragonSpell.
- Ages 12–13 (stretch picks): By Darkness Hid; Raising Dragons; later Narnia volumes if not already finished.
- Parents/older teens: Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle (screen adaptation buzz makes it fun to tackle now).
Remember temperament: some nine-year-olds prefer gentler stakes; some thirteen-year-olds want court intrigue. You know your readers best. The gift of these authors is that they never confuse darkness with depth; they let kids face the dark so they can learn how to light a lamp.
A Final Encouragement for the Season
October is full of masks and make-believe—but also full of moments that become memory. When you choose stories like these, you give your children a rehearsed heart: one that recognizes lies that sparkle, loves truth even when it costs, and knows how to stand with kindness. Pick one author and begin. The leaves will fall; the porch light will hum; and a voice will say, “Just one more chapter?”—and you’ll be glad you said yes.
Notes on references used in this guide: Series information and author details are drawn from official sites and publisher pages for C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia background and reading order), Andrew Peterson (The Wingfeather Saga), N. D. Wilson (100 Cupboards), S. D. Smith (The Green Ember), Donita K. Paul (DragonKeeper Chronicles), Jonathan Rogers (Wilderking Trilogy), Bryan Davis (Dragons in Our Midst), Jill Williamson (Blood of Kings), and Stephen R. Lawhead (Pendragon Cycle), as well as the author site and retailer listing for G. B. Sollie (Cat Luker: The Swamp Witch Chronicles).