Best underrated books/series that shaped my childhood, and what they’re about

-The Septimus Heap series: Kind of like medieval Harry Potter, with wizards, quests, disturbing creatures, and loveable characters. By Angie Sage

-The Underland Chronicles: Follows the adventures of a boy named Gregor and his sister Boots who both fall down a laundry grate into a world with very pale people and giant animals like cockroaches, mice, and bats. Very dark: murder, violent deaths, used the phrase “carpet of corpses”, and has literal fucking MOUSE GENOCIDE. By Suzanne Collins

-The Ghosthunters: Tells the story of a kid named Tom who hunts evil ghosts with a woman named Hetty Hissup and an ASG (averagely spooky ghost) named Hugo. A bit spooky, very much so during the last book, but very fun. Hard to find in print (I’ve tried), but you can find the audiobooks on Overdrive for free. By Cornelia Funke

-Half Magic: A story about 4 siblings who find a magic charm that grants wishes, but by halfs. They get into deep shit before they find that out. Pretty entertaining, funny and lighthearted. No big villains or deaths. By Edward Eager

- The Sisters Grimm: 2 sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm became orphans when their parents went missing. They’ve been shipped around from family to family, and finally come to live with their grandmother in a sleepy town. However, they find out that they’re related to the Brothers Grimm and the town is full of fairytale characters, who pretty much all hate their guts. Sounds like it would be cliche, but it isn’t. Can be very dark sometimes. By Michael Buckley

-The 39 Clues: Dan and Amy Cahill have lived with their Great Aunt Beatrice since their parents died in a fire. After their grandmother Grace dies, they discover that they’re part of the most influential family in the world. But Grace had a contest set up: a race for 39 clues that together will makes any Cahill the most powerful person in history. Full of backstabbing, violence, and death. Don’t read the other series past the first one, they recycle the same plot and just kill all the good characters off. Written by a team of great writers including Rick Riordan, Gordan Korman and Jude Watson.

-Timmy Failure: A detective with a giant pet polar bear. He’s a fucking dumbass, but it makes it funny. Thinks the whole world is out to get him. Satirical sometimes, hilarious, and amazing. By Stephan Pastis

- Artemis Fowl: A boy genius and criminal mastermind kidnaps a fairy to get her gold. Is being made into a movie, read the book before you watch it. By Eoin Colfer

-The Mysterious Benedict Society: Hard to describe. An ad appears in the newspaper advertising adventure, all you have to do is pass the tests. Hundreds of kids try, but only 4 get through: Sticky, Kate, Reynie, and Constance. They get a secret mission: infiltrate a school called the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. Funny with real characters, sweet and captivating. By Trenton Lee Stewart.