Are you looking for a great fantasy? I've assembled below an outstanding list that will have your nine-year-old — and older — turning pages quicker than you think possible.

There are wonderful pencil etchings, by Peter Bailey, sprinkled throughout and a bit of a tease at the end so hopefully there will be more installments. This book would be a terrific read-aloud for all ages!

No one else can understand him, but Lass is concerned about the welfare of her very poor family and asks what will become of them while she is gone. The bear tells her that they will find wealth, but she must come with him first. He tells her that no harm will come to her if she will relent, which she does.

The palace is far north and she arrives atop the bear and she sees that the entire building is made from ice. George based her story on an old Nordic tale, and the many facets of the story are gradually woven together to bring a climatic ending. It's beautifully and excitedly written so that all ages 12 through adult will thoroughly enjoy it! The Nordic terminology and usage found throughout can be researched in a well-defined glossary located in the back of the book. This book's a keeper!

Jessica Day George has been busy of late, because she has another new outstanding fantasy just out. Dragon Flight is a sequel to her fantastic (and a book I reviewed), Dragon Slippers . In this sequel, Creel discovers that the bordering country is about to invade hers with many fierce and dangerous dragons. Consequently, she is on the ready when she implores her good dragon friends to fight the good fight. This protagonist is smart, courageous and has integrity to help her country battle the evil enemy. I loved the first book and this one doesn't disappoint. It has all of the elements for an exciting page-turner! Once you start, you won't stop!

The Magic Half, by Annie Barrows, is a clever and inventive fantasy about time travel. Miri lives in a family full of twins. She's right in the middle of two sets and longs for a sister or friend of her own.

Her family has just moved to an old farmhouse where she discovers an old eye glass lens stuck in her wallboard. When she puts it up to her eye, she suddenly is taken back to 1935, where she meets another girl of the same age in her bedroom. Molly is living with a mean aunt, and two cousins who wished her father hadn't abandoned her three years before.

Molly is so unhappy that she wants to go with Miri to the present time. But just when Miri has decided that it would be the best for Molly if she left that horrible situation and came to live with Miri, she goes back to the present without Molly. And worse, she can't figure how to go back again and retrieve Molly. I'd be willing to bet that any 9-and-olders who pick this book up, will not put it down until they finish it! The plot is terrific with many twists and surprises. The characters are developed so well you feel you've known them all for a long time. A fantastic read!

The Flight of the Silver Turtle, by John Fardell, is a continuation of his great adventure: The 7 Professors of the Far North . The same adventurous kids seem to attract high-spirited excitement and anticipation as they help Professor Ampersand build an incredible airplane — the Silver Turtle. The story takes a wild turn when someone suddenly steals the plane while the kids are still inside. Here's a fast paced escapade if ever there was one!