Haroun and the Sea of Stories
by Salman Rushdie (1990)

Rushdie's first novel after the sensationally controversial The Satanic Verses (1988) is the story of a boy who journeys to a mystical land in order to restore his father's storytelling ability. With the help of some colourful companions he faces the evil Khattam-Shud ('The End') who is endeavouring to cut of the spring of stories. As always, socio-political issues underpin the storyline.

The Magic Of Recluce
by L E Modesitt Jr (1991)

Younger readers should enjoy this tale from the Saga of Recluce about a questioning youth's coming of age. In the utopian land of Wandernaught a boy in his mid-teens must choose between exile or a dangerous journey of discovery. On the journey he faces a choice between good and evil and has to find out what each is all about.

Life of Pi
by Yann Martel (2001)

Pi and his father, a zookeeper, pack up and head to Canada with their animals. A shipwreck sees Pi adrift on a lifeboat with some animals that survived - including an orangutan, an injured zebra and a hyena. Canadian author Martel's prize-winning novel is an intense examination of hallucination versus reality, with an underlying religious theme emphasising the essential nature of belief.

Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches [S1]
by Robert Stanek (2002)

Tolkien-esque fantasy for younger readers (& adult kids) that is attracting plenty of well-deserved attention. In the world of Ruin Mist the Kings of Men order an end to all things magical. The central characters are a boy who is a mage-in-waiting, a princess who has everything and nothing, and a tough-as-nails elf on a mission of peace. First book of the Keeper Martin's Tales.

Gregor the Overlander [S1]
by Suzanne Collins (2003)

Nifty quest story for young readers. Following his father's disappearance Gregor gives up his chance to go to summer camp to stay and home and look after his two year old sister Boots. A mishap sees the two end up in a bizarre underworld. With a gaggle of bats, giant cockroaches & spiders, and a rat he set out on a quest to find his father and save Underland. A cut above average.

Inkheart
by Cornelia Funke (2003)

Meggie learns that her father Mo can "read" characters out of books - meaning he can quite literally bring them to life. Unfortunately Mo has released the murderous villain Capricorn from Inkheart. On the run from his henchmen Meggie, her great-aunt Elinor, Mo and the character Dustfinger must find the book's author and get a new ending written. Fabulous book for young readers.

Midnight for Charlie Bone
by Jenny Nimmo (2003)

Charlie is one of the endowed - an ancestor of the Red King, each of whom has a unique magical ability. Charlie's gift is that he can look at photographs and hear conversations and thoughts from when it was taken. Toss in an exclusive boarding school and the comparisons to Harry Potter are obvious. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as this series has plenty merits of its own.

The Sea of Trolls
by Nancy Farmer (2004)

Epic fantasy for young readers full of great humour and mythological verve. Set in medieval times, young Jack is chosen for an apprenticeship by the village bard. He is kidnapped and ends up in the court of Ivar the Boneless where he promptly casts a spell that makes the queen's hair fall out. He undertakes a treacherous life-or-death quest across the Sea of Trolls to sort things out.