Enchanted Reads for Fans of Encanto

We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no
We don't talk about Bruno, but -

If the soundtrack from Encanto has been playing all month in your head or in your home, you're not alone. The Madrigals and their casita have captured our hearts and imaginations. If you can't get enough of Disney's most magical family, here are six more tales of middle grade magic you just have to read. 

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls: 12-year-old Cecilia "Cece" Rios comes from a family of fierce women. When Tierra del Sol is your home, you have to be. The desert is dangerous, especially during the criatura months when the legendary creatures roam the cliffs and canyons, eager to prey on residents of Tierra del Sol. Cece has always been too gentle to fight but when an especially dangerous criatura, El Sombrerón, The Bride Stealer, kidnaps her older sister Juana, Cece is determined to do anything it takes to get her back.

Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows: El Sombrerón is back to plague another group of middle schoolers. When Charlie Hernández's parents disappear, he suspects the key to their survival - and his own - might lie in the myths and legends his abuela used to share. 

A Dash of Trouble: The Logroño family are the proud owners of Amor y Azúcar, a bakery that serves pastries so delicious you might even call them magical! And they are. The women of the Logroño women are brujas who sweeten their magic with sugar and love. But they've been keeping their magic a secret from 11-year-old Leo, the baby of the family. Find out why when you read the Love Sugar Magic series. 

Ghost Squad: Ghosts fill Lucely Luna's breakfast table, kiss her goodnight and appear in her bedroom to remind her to clean it. But Lucely isn't scared. Because those ghosts? They're family. When members of the Luna family die, they don't disappear. They stay right at home, often taking on the form of cucuyos (fireflies). But lately their lights have been fading. What will happen if they flicker out for good? Lucely is determined to keep their fires burning bright. 

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer: The small town of Fry, Virginia has a tendency to attract mysterious visitors and paranormal events. Thankfully, it's also home to Sheed and Otto Alston, "The Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County," cousins and local heroes. From the Laughing Locusts to the Dastardly Dummy of Denos, there’s never been a case Sheed and Otto haven’t cracked, except how to make summer vacation last a little longer. That's all about to change in this first book in the series. 

Tidesong: Sophie longs to become a powerful witch, just like her mother and grandmother before her. But when she's sent to stay on a remote island with Great Aunt Lanny and Auntie Sage, instead of teaching her spells for the Royal Magic Academy auditions, stern Great Aunt Lanny gives Sophie chores. Can Sophie discover her magic and what makes Great Aunt Lanny so distant? 

For more magical reads, check out Middle Grade Magic. 

What are your favorite magical stories?