For Fans of Harry Potter
I’ve been avoiding writing about Harry Potter because of author Rowling’s anti-trans statements. I really loved these books when they came out and had a blast introducing them to my kid. We even threw a HP-themed birthday party when they were littler. What to do when a book you love is written by a person you don’t want to condone or support? I’ve definitely felt less interested in touting these books lately, but I also believe people should get to read what they want to read. Whether you’ve cruised through the HP series and are looking for something new or you’ve decided to abstain, here are some books in similar veins to enjoy.
The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson (1994)
I learned of Ibbotson through Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwicks books, because the characters love her writing! In this book, there is a portal to a magical world at Kings Cross Station (sound familiar?). It opens for nine days every nine years. The prince of the magical world was kidnapped the last time it opened. Nine years later, a group assembles to rescue him.
Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend (started in 2017)
I love the Nevermoor series, where a neglected child, somewhat like Harry, is whisked away to a magical world. Morrigan Crow must compete to gain entry to a school for magic. Her new world is full of danger and mystery, but it’s also full of love. There’s an often absent parental figure, an enormous cat, and a hotel full of quirky residents, as well as friends from the competition, that populate Morrigan’s world.
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (2018)
Looking for another story about an orphan? This touching and engaging book follows a young chimney sweep in Victorian London who makes a golem out of soot. Nan, knowing that golems are Jewish, asks a friendly teacher (Miss Bloom) to teach her more about the religion. This book covers a lot of thematic ground (child labor, anti-semitism, and more) and also emphasizes love and respect.
Mystwick School of Musicraft series by Jessica Khoury (started in 2019)
In Khoury’s book, all magic comes from music. The song you play in the spell you cast. But there are some extra-powerful — and potential sinister — magicians called composers who can create new spells. Amelia gets into magic school by mistake and fights to keep her place there while trying to discover the truth of what happened to her mother years ago.
The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu (2021)
Readers of the blog know I love this book, as I dedicated a post to it a year ago. Marya is overlooked by her parents, who only pay attention to her brother Luka. He may possess the magic to become a sorcerer. They are the only defense their land has against the Dread, a terrible and mysterious force that kills whole villages with almost no warning, like a deadly fog. When Luka fails the magic test, the family blames Marya, who is then banished to the Dragomir Academy, a strange and strict school for girls who don’t fit in the the norms of their society.
A Taste of Magic by J. Elle (2022)
Kyana discovers that her family has a magical heritage and starts attending magic school. But when the school is in danger of closing, she will do anything to save it. She enters a cooking competition in the hopes of winning the prize money. But will magic and cooking mix?
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton (2022)
Another great magic school book! Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute. When a magical criminal escapes from prison, Ella’s family of Conjurors comes under suspicion. She and her friends are determined to solve the mystery and clear her name.
Inkwell Chronicles series by J.D. Peabody (started in 2022)
Siblings Everett and Bea find a magical pen after their father goes missing. This discovery launches them into a quest through secret tunnels full of impossible creatures, all spurred by the magic of words and drawings. They won’t give up until their family is reunited.