Tiffany wants to become a ‘real’ witch, not just the Nac Mac Feegle’s wee big hag. So off she goes to apprentice herself to Miss Tick (a split personality if there ever was one). Second book in the continuing adventures of Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men.

John Bellairs is best known as the author of sixteen gothic mystery novels for young adults comprising the Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon series. The three stories in this book are the first three in the Lewis Barnavelt series: “The House with a Clock in Its Walls,” “The Figure in the Shadows,” and “The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring.” Genuinely spooky reading.

Julia and her brother, Paul are two perfectly ordinary children who happen to discover a ragdoll in a midden heap. Julia is sucked up into the mind of the ragdoll who is really a powerful and evil witch. From then on, “Ragwitch” follows the ancient fairy-tale structure of children versus evil---a ‘Hansel and Gretel’ story where the witch actually devours one of the children.

Last book in the Harry Potter series wraps up the loose ends, although I was saddened by the loss of my favorite character.

Okay, I'm ignoring my criterion (2) by listing this book, but it is too fantastic and beautiful to be missed. If I had any YAs on hand, I would make them read the story of the last unicorn on Earth.

Christian apologist, C. S. Lewis writes on many levels in his Chronicles of Narnia, but above all it is about children in the midst of a grand adventure, taking responsibility for their lives.

Victorian orphan is kidnapped by wild desert tribe whose king has her trained up as a warrior. Great fantasy-adventure-romance with a spunky young heroine.

At the bequest of the most beautiful girl in his village, Tristan sets out on a quest through the Land of Faerie to fetch her a fallen star. "Stardust" is stuffed with stock fairy tale creatures who have been blown loose from their moorings and brought to life in the most wildly imaginative way.