If you enjoy reading books by Sally Gardner then you might also like the following authors:
Philip Pullman writes imaginative, thought-provoking stories that blend fantasy with profound questions about morality, identity, and freedom.
In His Dark Materials, readers follow the brave Lyra on a journey filled with parallel universes, complex characters, and an underlying critique of authority and dogma.
If you enjoy Sally Gardner's sensitive exploration of challenging topics, Pullman's work might deeply resonate with you.
Neil Gaiman is known for his blend of fantasy, fairy tales, and dark humor, crafting stories filled with creativity and emotional depth. His novel Coraline features a resourceful young heroine who navigates a mysterious and eerie alternate reality to save her family.
Fans of Gardner's imaginative settings and vivid storytelling will likely appreciate Gaiman's inventive narratives.
Diana Wynne Jones offers readers vibrant, magical adventures filled with humor, warmth, and clever twists. Her fantasy novel, Howl's Moving Castle, follows the journey of Sophie, a spirited heroine who faces enchantments, magical mishaps, and the mysteries of love and identity.
If Sally Gardner's lively and heartfelt stories appeal to you, you'll likely enjoy the charm and wit in Diana Wynne Jones's work.
Eva Ibbotson's stories weave together fantasy, history, and adventure in a warm and humorous way. In Journey to the River Sea, she introduces readers to Maia, an orphan girl who travels to the Amazon rainforest and discovers friendship, courage, and unexpected adventures.
Readers who love the portrait of resilient young characters in Gardner's novels may find Ibbotson’s work engaging and emotionally satisfying.
Kate DiCamillo combines gentle, lyrical storytelling with themes of hope, compassion, and friendship. Her acclaimed book, The Tale of Despereaux, tells the story of an unlikely hero—a brave little mouse determined to defy expectations.
If you're moved by Sally Gardner's touching storytelling and sympathetic characters, you'll likely appreciate DiCamillo’s heartfelt tales about courage and acceptance.
Frances Hardinge creates imaginative worlds full of mystery and vivid characters. Her books often tackle complex themes of identity, belonging, and uncovering secrets.
Readers who enjoy Sally Gardner's blend of imagination and emotional depth will love Hardinge's The Lie Tree, a dark but captivating story about a girl determined to solve her father's mysterious death by uncovering the truth hidden within a strange tree.
Cornelia Funke is known for stories filled with magical adventures, powerful emotions, and unforgettable characters. Her writing is rich and immersive, making readers feel as if they've stepped right into a fantastical world.
If Sally Gardner's imaginative storytelling appeals to you, Funke's Inkheart is perfect. It tells the story of Meggie, a girl whose father has the unusual gift of bringing fictional characters into reality simply by reading aloud.
Shannon Hale has a warm and insightful style that often explores strong female characters discovering their own strengths. Like Sally Gardner, she weaves thoughtful themes alongside engaging storytelling, ensuring readers are both entertained and inspired.
Her novel The Goose Girl retells a classic fairy tale with charm and depth, offering readers themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
Jonathan Stroud writes with a sharp sense of humor and creates intriguing supernatural mysteries. His books often include themes of bravery, friendship, and coming-of-age, similar to the emotional resonance readers find in Sally Gardner's stories.
His novel The Amulet of Samarkand, the first of the Bartimaeus trilogy, follows an apprentice magician and a witty, sarcastic djinni as they navigate adventures and dangers in an alternate London.
Kenneth Oppel writes exciting adventure stories that blend fantasy with relatable characters and emotional depth. He captures readers with stories that frequently touch on themes of bravery, independence, and personal growth.
Fans of Sally Gardner might enjoy Oppel's Airborn, a high-flying adventure set in a world of airships, pirates, and mysterious creatures in the clouds.
Trenton Lee Stewart writes imaginative, quirky stories filled with puzzles and clever problem-solving. His characters are often unusual heroes, kids who use their intelligence and teamwork to overcome challenges.
If you enjoyed Sally Gardner's imaginative locations and resourceful young heroes, give Stewart's book The Mysterious Benedict Society a try. It follows a talented group of children recruited to unravel a secret plot, with plenty of adventure and heart along the way.
Joan Aiken creates vivid alternate worlds that blend history, fantasy, and suspense. Her stories often feature brave and resourceful characters facing mysteries and dangerous villains. Like Sally Gardner, she crafts tales with imaginative settings and strong emotional depth.
You might enjoy her novel The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, an exciting story about two cousins battling scheming caretakers and unexpected dangers in a snowbound, alternate version of 19th-century England.
Geraldine McCaughrean's books often explore courage, friendship, and self-discovery within fascinating historical or mythical backgrounds. She shares Sally Gardner's knack for vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and emotional storytelling.
Try her novel The White Darkness, which tells the powerful and suspenseful tale of a girl drawn into a perilous adventure in Antarctica.
David Almond writes thoughtful, atmospheric stories that engage with deep emotions and the mysteries of life. His imaginative storytelling and emotional depth resonate similarly to Sally Gardner's narrative style. Add Almond's Skellig to your reading list.
It's an unforgettable novel about a boy who encounters a mysterious creature in his garage, leading him toward friendship, hope, and new discoveries about the world.
Patrick Ness crafts stories that combine imaginative worlds with emotional depth, exploring complex themes like identity, loss, and growth. His characters are resilient and relatable, facing challenges that shape their understanding of themselves and each other.
If you appreciate Sally Gardner's emotional storytelling, try Ness's A Monster Calls, a poignant tale of a boy confronting difficult truths with help from a mysterious, otherworldly visitor.