Books like 'The Smoking Mirror'
Readers who enjoyed The Smoking Mirror by David Bowles also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy mystery action / adventure myths latinx-mc poc-mc children family retellings
-
The Lost Hero Sneak Peek by Rick Riordan
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 24 ratings"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,/ To storm or fire the world must fall./ An oath to keep with a final breath,/ And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death." A terse quatrain casts a teasing challenge at a new combine of demigods in this series launch by Rick Riordan. A tantalizing new adventure epic from the author of Percy Jackson & The Olympians...Categorized as:
children myths retellings action-adventure anthologies audiobook children-books fiction -
The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 59 ratingsAfter decades of hiding, the evil Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty is back with a vengeance.Alex and Conner Bailey have not been back to the magical Land of Stories since their adventures in The Wishing Spell ended... -
The Land of Stories #1-6 by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDive into the complete #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories with this beautiful gift set.Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, twins Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about... -
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsWar between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. When intelligence from the human world reveals that the Sleeper is holding a powerful clairvoyant and her sister captive, 14-year-old Aru and her friends launch a search-and-rescue mission... -
-
Trouble in Zombie-town by Mark Cheverton
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn unofficial minecrafter's adventureWith his sister stuck in Minecraft, Gameknight999 will have to face a new enemy to save her!Gameknight999 was sucked into the world of Minecraft when one of his father’s inventions went haywire. Trapped inside the game, the former griefer learned the error of his ways... -
Monsters and Mold by Asia Citro
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWith magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages.In the second book of this series, a forest monster shows up looking for help with an embarrassing problem and Zoey is sure it will be a simple fix... -
The Cloud Castle by Thea Stilton
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhat is the secret of the clouds?The Thea Sisters have received an urgent message from their friend Will Mystery. The magical Land of Clouds is in danger. The mouselets must find out why the clouds are disappearing!Once they enter the kingdom through Mount Everest, the mice meet fairies, elves, and unicorns on their way to the majestic Cloud Castle... -
The Secret of the Snow by Thea Stilton
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJoin Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters in their third magical special edition adventure!There's a mystery in the land of the lotus flowers!Thea Stilton and Thea Sisters are called to help to an enchanted land! It's a world linked to the legends of Japan, and it is in danger... -
The Land of Stories Collection 5 Book Set (The Land of Stories, #1-5) by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDive into the first five hardcover volumes in the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories with this beautiful gift set.Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, twins Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about... -
The Secrets Within Me by Liana Ramirez
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFor seventeen-year-old Magi Davis everyone in her life knows her secret, except for her... after Magi is almost murdered, her Egyptologist father takes her from their quiet rainy town in Seattle to Egypt in an attempt to seek refuge. After meeting R.J... -
The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNOW IN PAPERBACK!"Splendidly entertaining." —Kirkus Reviews★ "A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colorful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings."—School Library Journal (starred)★ "Like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld—fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order... -
Traps and Specters by Bryan Chick
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe fourth book in the action-packed and highly imaginative The Secret Zoo series, about a group of middle school friends who discover a hidden zoo in their very own neighborhood! The zoo's archenemy, the evil DeGraff, is closing in for the first time since he was driven out of the Secret Zoo... -
Two Peas in a Pod by Sarah Mlynowski
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsOur New York Times and USA Today bestselling series rolls on with Book 11, which fractures the beloved fairy tale The Princess and the Pea.I've landed -- along with my brother, Jonah, and our dog, Prince -- in the fairy tale of The Princess and the Pea! When I can't fall asleep on top of a hundred mattresses, the kingdom decides I must be the princess they're looking for... -
Saving the Sun Dragon by Tracey West
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsDragon Masters has it all--dragons, Dragon Stones, a wizard, and even some magic! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
-
Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOld Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs... -
Tricked by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThings are changing at Fairy Tale Reform School.At least, that's what Gilly's heard through the Enchantasia rumor mill. Word is, notorious trickster Rumpelstiltskin has taken over management from Headmistress Flora, and he's locked down the school tighter than the Pied Piper's pants. Not that this news concerns Gilly... -
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsBest-selling author Rick Riordan presents Graci Kim's thrilling debut about an adopted Korean-American girl who discovers her heritage and her magic on a perilous journey to save her witch clan family.Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated into the Gom clan, a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations... -
The Fire Keeper by J.C. Cervantes, Jennifer Cervantes
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsZane Obispo's new life on a beautiful secluded tropical island, complete with his family and closest friends, should be perfect. But he can't control his newfound fire skills yet (inherited from his father, the Maya god Hurakan); there's a painful rift between him and his dog ever since she became a hell hound; and he doesn't know what to do with his feelings for Brooks... -
The Secret of the Crystal Fairies by Thea Stilton, Geronimo Stilton
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJoin Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters on an adventure packed with fantasy and friendship!The Thea Sisters are just about to head off on their separate family vacations when they receive a call from Will Mystery. Once again, there is trouble in one of the imaginary kingdoms! A crack has been discovered in one of the maps in the Hall of Roses... -
Snap of the Super-Goop: #10 by Troy Cummings
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRip and Nikki think Alexander is going crazy when he keeps seeing monsters they've already defeated, but he has to convince his friends there might be a new monster if he wants to protect the town and notebook. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Spotlight is a division of ABDO... -
Charge of the Lightning Bugs by Troy Cummings, Niloufar Amanzadeh
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsStermont's latest monster is SHOCKING!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSal and Gabi have to try to make everything right with our world when there is a rogue Gabi from another universe running loose.Sal Vidon creates wormholes. But Sal's father, a calamity physicist, is trying to shut down all the wormholes Sal creates, because Papi thinks they are eroding the very fabric of our world... -
Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables by Troy Cummings
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAlexander is still on the look-out for monsters. Now he thinks they're at school.... The lunch menu is NOT normal -- instead of good-for-you meals, there's ice cream and pie every day. His whole class is crying. And his friend Rip goes missing... -
The Third Door by Emily Rodda
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsInternationally bestselling author Emily Rodda's brilliant finale to the trilogy inspired by the world of Deltora.Three magic Doors are the only way in and out of the walled city of Weld. The golden Door is grand and majestic -- a Door for heroes. The silver Door hints at mystery and knowledge -- a door for schemers... -
-
Switched by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe fourth installment in the beloved Fairy Tale Reform School series where the teachers are (former) villainsReform or relapse? Things at Fairy Tale Reform School are great. Rumpelstiltskin has been ousted, and everyone is buzzing about the fact that Beauty and Prince Sebastian (aka the Beast) have joined the teaching staff... -
Frozen: Phantoms of Arendelle by Landry Q. Walker
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTo distract Elsa from a gala being planned in her honor, Anna fills her schedule with fun bonding activities... -
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe UK's #1 bestselling children's author, David Walliams, is back with a fantastical tale of myth and legend, good and evil, and one small boy on a quest to save the world--chock-full of Walliams's unmistakable humor and perfect for fans of Jeff Kinney and Roald Dahl.The kingdom has fallen into darkness.Prince Alfred has never left the safety of Buckingham Palace... -
The Tomb of Shadows by Peter Lerangis
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsPercy Jackson meets Indiana Jones in the New York Times bestselling adventure Seven Wonders! The Tomb of Shadows is the third in a seven-book series by master storyteller Peter Lerangis. This sequel to the bestselling Lost in Babylon and The Colossus Rises chronicles the adventures of Jack McKinley and his friends in a life-or-death race to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus... -
The Winter Child by Wendy Froud, Terri Windling
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCarefully combing his ears and tail and wearing his finest red felt boots, a furry young faery named Sneezle prepares for the Midwinter festival in Old Oak Wood -- the oldest faery court in the British Isles. All the denizens of the wood have gathered for this grand winter holiday...but this year something is strangely wrong...Categorized as:
children myths retellings action-adventure anthologies children-books fae fairy-tale -
Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince by Megan Morrison
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsReturn to the enthralling and always surprising world of Tyme, this time with a roguish frog prince and a secret plot, as Megan Morrison continues her acclaimed fantasy series.Syrah Huanui is a frog. He wasn't always one--once he was a Prince of the Olive Isles, a champion launchball player, a beloved favorite of all... -
The Coyote Way by B.B. Griffith
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Walker chases a rogue spirit, something dark and chaotic that broke through into the land of the living and took on the form of a coyote.Caroline and Owen have been on the move for years, trying to find a place to call home. Caroline remains torn--her heart split in two. Half of her loves Owen, the other half still loves Ben... -
The Hunt for the Secret Papyrus by Geronimo Stilton
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThere was a mystery in New Mouse City's Egyptian Mouseum! The Black Papyrus, an ancient document that reveals the secret of eternal youth, had disappeared. The mouseum's director asked me to help him find it. Yikes -- those Egyptian artifacts freak me out! Luckily, a secret agent came to our aid.. -
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsHow did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker?When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal... -
Dishonour Among Thieves by Paul Durham
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Luck Uglies must face their greatest enemy in this second installment of the series that's a perfect match for fans of Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series and books by Kelly Barnhill. "There is not a single dull moment in this story... -
-
Quest for the Secret Keeper by Victoria Laurie
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDelphi Keep is awash in activity, and for Ian, Theo, and Carl, their safe haven might be nearing its end. The Royal Navy has taken the keep to use as a hospital and the tunnels running under the keep and the castle are ideal to set up a central communications outpost for the approaching war... -
The Curse of the King by Peter Lerangis
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsPercy Jackson meets Indiana Jones in the New York Times bestselling epic adventure Seven Wonders!The Curse of the King is the fourth book in a five-book series by master storyteller Peter Lerangis... -
The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSince Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, found the silver treasure box and the prophecy within it, their world has changed. There's no denying what they discovered in Morocco: a powerful evil is budding, and to defeat it, and save the world from darkness, six uniquely gifted children must be gathered... -
The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAn enchanting, exciting fantasy about a real-world girl searching for her sister in a land full of magic and strange creatures, blending the timeless feel of A Wrinkle in Time with Frozen's powerful themes of identity, enchantment, and sisterhood.Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year... -
The Three Furies by Kaza Kingsley
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAnother task, even more dangerous than the previous ones, befalls Erec in the fourth book in the series. He must literally face his worst nightmares to succeed, but he isn’t sure if he can overcome his fears. On top of a contest he must win to continue his rise to King, he must also save Bethany, who has been entranced by Baskania, and deal with his inevitable transformation into a dragon... -
The End of Time by P.W. Catanese
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe adventures of Happenstance and Umber reach their epic, surprising, and emotional conclusion. As Happenstance struggles to master his unusual abilities, he realizes that time is running out -- because Umber's rivals threaten to undo all the good he has achieved, while an unexpected new enemy with terrible destructive power approaches the kingdom... -
The Silver Door by Emily Rodda
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsInternationally bestselling author Emily Rodda returns to the world of Deltora in book two of her brilliant new trilogy.Rye made it through the golden Door and rescued his oldest brother, but his troubles are far from over. The walled city of Weld in which he lives is still under attack by flying beasts called skimmers and Rye must discover who is sending them before it's too late... -
Gullstruck Island by Frances Hardinge
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsOn Gullstruck Island, legend has it that the mountain ranges and volcanoes are in charge. Anger them, and you’ll pay the price. Keep them happy, and you’ll enjoy their protection. These stories of the land’s command come in handy for quiet, near-invisible Hathin when she must run for her life. Hathin’s sister, Arilou, is believed to be a Lost... -
Attack of the Shadow Smashers by Troy Cummings
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsMonsters, monsters, everywhere!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches. Aimed at 5- to 7-year-olds, this line of books is for children who are just starting to read independently. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsMerlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a 100 years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World’s Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world... -
-
Seekers of the Fox by Kevin Sands
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA dying friend, a terrible bargain, an underwater quest, and dangerous magic . . . this adventure picks up right where Children of the Fox leaves off.Rule number one: Never mess with magic. Even so, a life-or-death situation calls for Callan and his criminal friends to make a deal with the Eye—the sinister, sentient artifact they stole from a sorcerer... -
Fireborn by Aisling Fowler
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsLyra. Lucy. Percy. Once in a generation, a hero emerges whose story enthralls readers worldwide. Ember is full of monsters. Twelve gave up her name and identity to train in the art of hunting them--so she says. The truth is much more deadly: she trains to take revenge on those who took her family from her... -
Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsWhen the Demon Queen shows up in her bedroom, smelling of acid and surrounded by evil-looking bees, twelve-year-old Kiranmala is uninterested. After all, it's been four months since she last heard from her friends in the Kingdom Beyond, the alternate dimension where she was born as an Indian princess... -
The Raven Steals the Light: Drawings by Bill Reid by Bill Reid, Robert Bringhurst
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPresented here are 10 authentic retellings of traditional Haida myths and folktales. The stories range from bawdy tales of how the first Haida were brought to the Queen Charlotte Islands, to poignant narratives of the complexities of love in a world where animals speak, dreams come alive, and demigods, monsters, and people live side by side. 10 illustrations... -
Glimpse by Steven Whibley
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Save them, Dean. Save them all...."Dean Curse avoids attention the way his best friend Colin avoids common sense. Which is why he isn’t happy about being Abbotsford’s latest local hero – having saved the life of a stranger, he is now front page news... -
The Chupacabras of the Río Grande by Adam Gidwitz, David Bowles
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPura Belpré Honor-winning author David Bowles joins Newbery Honor-winning Adam Gidwitz as co-author of the newest Unicorn Rescue Society adventure, as the kids travel to the U.S.-Mexican border to help the legendary chupacabras...
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.