Fantasy & Adventure:
1. Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, Magnus Chase, etc. (Greek, Roman, Norse mythology)
2. Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games trilogy (dystopian, action-packed)
3. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter (classic fantasy, beloved by all ages)
4. Brandon Mull: Fablehaven, Beyonders series (magical creatures, adventure)
5. Holly Black: The Spiderwick Chronicles (fairies, hidden world)
6. Angie Sage: Septimus Heap (fantasy, magic, adventure)
7. Christopher Paolini: Eragon (dragons, epic fantasy)
Realistic Fiction & Contemporary:
8. Gary D. Schmidt: The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now (moving, relatable stories)
9. Sarah Dessen: The Truth About Forever, Just Listen (teenage struggles, relationships)
10. John Green: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines (coming-of-age, thoughtful)
11. Rainbow Rowell: Eleanor & Park, Fangirl (teen romance, relatable characters)
12. Gordon Korman: Son of the Mob, Swindle (humor, adventure)
13. Jerry Spinelli: Maniac Magee, Stargirl (quirky, memorable characters)
14. Wendy Mass: A Mango-Shaped Space, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life (heartfelt, humorous)
Historical Fiction:
15. Lois Lowry: The Giver, Number the Stars (thought-provoking, dystopian, Holocaust)
16. Elizabeth George Speare: The Witch of Blackbird Pond (colonial America, historical fiction)
17. Ann M. Martin: The Baby-Sitters Club (friendship, coming-of-age)
18. Avi: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (historical mystery)
19. Ruta Sepetys: Between Shades of Gray (WWII, Lithuanian perspective)
20. Katherine Paterson: Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins (friendship, loss, imaginative)
Tips for Finding the Right Books:
* Ask your child's librarian or teacher for recommendations.
* Browse book lists and award winners for age-appropriate titles.
* Look at book reviews and discussions online.
* Start with a genre your child already enjoys and explore similar authors.
* Encourage your child to read aloud or discuss their favorite books with you.
Remember, the best books are those that engage and inspire your child!