For many readers, the magic of reading Harry Potter simply can't be replicated. The charm of Hogwarts paired with the mystifying friendships in J.K Rowling's enchanted series can be hard to come by. Librarians, the gatekeepers of all great literature, know this more than anyone. However, there are some intriguing books like Harry Potter for adults and kids that they'd recommend to fans of this beloved series.A.J. Erdtsieck, an elementary school librarian who goes by the handle @lookshesbooked on TikTok, says she loves sharing her passion for storytelling with readers of the next generation. To her, Harry Potter is still a hallmark of upper middle-grade and YA fantasy, and says that finding alternatives should include things like "magical schools, characters with special powers, and the plot device of having characters sorted into defining classes and groups."If you're looking for books to read if you like Harry Potter—ones that resonate with you in a similar way, or you want to read something slightly different than the iconic series, librarians suggest these 17 options that'll offer just enough—or even more—magic and fantasy.Related: 21 Books Like ‘Fourth Wing,’ According to Librarians
17 Books Like ‘Harry Potter,’ According to Librarians
Books you can read as an alternative to Harry Potter might prove to be challenging to find, but these librarians share what books feel similar in terms of fantastical elements and characters.
1. 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' by Rick Riordan
Amazon
This series is a popular pick amongst Harry Potter fans already. Carrillo says it has similar elements, such as being able to relate to its characters as they age. "This already has a huge following, but it is always comparable to Harry Potter because you also grow with the characters and follow their adventure," she tells Parade. "There is also a main crew of three in this series about Greek gods and demigods."
2. 'The Inheritance Cycle' by Christopher Paolini
Amazon
Similar to Harry Potter, this popular series also had a movie release back in 2006, based on the series's first book titled Eragon. According to Carrillo, this series is a must-read for anyone who wants to follow a similar adventurous path as Harry and his friends."This follows a boy and his dragon along with other dragons and has similar adventure and action sequences to [those] of Harry Potter," she says.
3. 'The Worst Witch' by Jill Murphy
Amazon
Before reading Harry Potter, Smith says The Worst Witch was a fantasy series she gravitated towards, and it also takes place in a boarding school. It includes lots of elements that are reminiscent of the Rowlings's series, according to Smith. "The books feature a very [whimsical] and comical take on witchcraft and wizardry, with main character Mildred Hubble’s clumsy personality often landing her in silly situations," she shares.Plus, this series features lots of the character types that you would find plucked straight out of a Harry Potter book."Both books feature the typical archetypes of ‘the joker’, similar to Fred and George Weasley and Enid Nighshade, 'the sensible one’ like Hermione Granger and Maud Spellbody and ‘the rival’, like Draco Malfoy and Etha," Smith states. "Interestingly, Mildred Hubble’s bumbling, clumsy personality, rather than being similar to protagonist Harry Potter, draws a much closer comparison to [the] best friend character Ron Weasley."
4. 'The School for Good and Evil' by Soman Chainani
Amazon
This book series might be the closest you can come to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, mainly due to its setting and plot line, according to Erdtsieck. It's "a middle grade, boarding-school fantasy staple," she says, and it closely mimics the conventions of Harry Potter since it's about ordinary kids at a school that trains students to be heroes and villains."It similarly features children who are summoned to a magical boarding school to uncover their true identity," she states.
5. 'The Nightsilver Promise' by Annaliese Avery
Amazon
Any fan of Harry Potter will gravitate to this series, shares Erdtsieck. "The Nightsilver Promise is great for Harry Potter fans looking for another alternate-world fantasy adventure set in the UK," she reveals.
6. 'Legendborn' by Tracy Deonn
Amazon
For those looking into books like Harry Potter for young adults, The Legendborn Cycle series is a great pick. According to Smith, it's a "modern adaptation of the Arthurian mythology, written for young adult readers."Plus, it features elements from that mythology in order to "create a unique magic system focused on characters reincarnating as ‘Scions,’" she shares, which is essentially the book's version of the Knights of the Round Table."There is a clear emphasis on the thematic 'good versus evil' presented in the book, focused on the Legendborn’s struggle against the demonic Shadowborn," she explains. "An interesting ethical question is also explored through the main character, Bree’s, experience and heritage as a Black woman, varying from the predominantly white male members of the Legendborn."
7. 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros
Amazon
Related: 21 Best 'Fourth Wing' Memes
8. 'Upside-Down Magic' by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins
Amazon
If you were reading Harry Potter, that meant you probably wished you possessed the same powers Harry and his friends had. If that was you, Erdtsieck says that the Upside-Down Magic book series might conjure up those same feelings again."This book explores the human side of growing up magical and what happens when you don’t quite fit in," she explains.Related: 29 ‘Must-Read’ Magical Realism Books, According to Librarians
9. 'A Darker Shade of Magic' by V.E. Schwab
Amazon
"This has magical elements and the main character can travel between parallel versions of London," explains Carrillo. The Shades of Magic series also has other interesting elements that could intrigue readers, but are slightly different from the Harry Potter world. "The plot has wonderful political intrigue, perilous adventures and a fight to save the world from a dark, ancient enemy," she states. "Dare I say, similar to that of Harry fighting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
10. 'Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic #1)' by Liz Montague
Amazon
This book is what Erdtsieck describes as "a magical school story set in the real world."The books follow a group of three friends who work hard to move up to the "middle school equivalent of magical school," according to Erdtsieck. It's the first of the School For Unusual Magic series."For those who liked the school of magic setting and vibes in Harry Potter, The Equinox Test will give them a new school full of tests and a new group of friends to root for," she shares.
11. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard
Amazon
Red Queen is a dystopian adult series that is similar to Rowlings's series because "it presents [a similar] conflict between wizards and 'muggles' through the tyrannical Voldemort’s mission for wizard supremacy," says Smith."The Red Queen series presents a creative magic system focused on blood types as well as interesting love triangles and found family dynamics," she continues.
12. 'Aru Shah and the End of Time' by Roshani Chokshi
Amazon
This book is for anyone who wants to "dive deeper into modern fantasy stories inspired by non-white culture," says Erdtsieck. "This book also, like Harry Potter, has very high stakes, which makes for a thrilling read," she shares.It's a part of the Pandava series, which is a total of five books.
13. 'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo
Amazon
In this fantastical young adult series, the plot follows protagonist Alina Starkov in the kingdom of Ravka as she discovers her dormant magical powers. Carrillo says this series is a "great way to get into a new magic system.""It carries the essence of a main character growing into their powers," she states. "They are also destined to save the world from the evil, dangerous antagonist."
14. 'The Raven Scholar' by Antonia Hodgson
Amazon
The Raven Scholar is an adult recommendation that is "perfect for Harry Potter fans who grew up wishing for the identity and belonging provided by the sorting ceremony," says Erdtsieck."Featuring eight mystical animal guardians one can pledge to follow, the world of Orrun is never dull," she shares. "It's filled with imperial intrigue, high stakes and a grown-up version of Harry Potter’s lush academia setting."
15. 'The Gilded Wolves' by Roshani Chokshi
Amazon
This historical tale is set in Paris during the year 1889. The book sees a treasure hunter and his team go on a hunt to find an ancient artifact that could change their lives. According to Erdtsieck, The Gilded Wolves takes the reader on an unforeseeable adventure, fit with quirky turns and a group of friends who find community within each other. There are also three books in the series."The Gilded Wolves is great for Harry Potter fans who want another twisting, unpredictable read featuring a found family of unlikely friends who find belonging with each other," she shares.
16. 'Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble' by Anna Meriano
Amazon
The one aspect of this book that is so like Harry Potter is when the young female protagonist finds out that her family actually has magical powers. "Only in Anna’s story, Leo discovers the women in her family are brujas, or witches, and infuse their magic into baked treats at the family bakery," says Erdtsieck.The book also features a lot of fun infusion of Mexican culture, plus strong female relationships and a whole lot of baking.
17. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis
Amazon
"Narnia as a series includes a variety of elements that also feature within Harry Potter," she says. "This notably includes how the main four characters start as children and grow up within the book series and how the book is framed within a fantasy setting filled with magic.
Related: The 116 Best Kids Books of All Time
Sources:
A.J. Erdtsieck is an elementary school librarian who is known by the handle @lookshesbooked on TikTok.Jenny Smith is a librarian who is known by the handle @justbookswithjenny on TikTok.Alexa Carrillo is a public librarian who is known by the handle @lexasmilesss on TikTok.Hence then, the article about 17 books like harry potter according to librarians was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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