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Branching Out: Books for Fans of Harry Potter

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books for fans of harry potterIf you like Harry Potter, try these…

The Harry Potter stories have undeniably charmed millions of readers who enjoy stories sparkling with magic, fantasy and adventure. The award-winning series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and has been turned into eight hugely successful Hollywood films.

We’ve put together a list of ten similar books for fans of Harry PotterFans of magic and spellbinding adventures will find solace in the exciting worlds of Nevermoor or Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. Readers looking to hop on board to magical lands should try  The Secret of Platform 13 or sail away to the fantasy islands of Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures. Meanwhile, those who enjoy reading about young heroes fighting dark forces and fantastical beasts should try Percy Jackson or The Wizards of Once. If you’re looking for an immersive series set in mysteriously selective schools and colleges, we recommend Amari and the Night Brothers or Crookhaven.

Browse the full list below of books for children looking for what to read next after Harry Potter…

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Books for Fans of Harry Potter

BB Alston
Chapter book
Amari Peters knows three things.Her big brother Quinton has gone missing. No one will talk about it. His mysterious job holds the secret...So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she's certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real , and her roommate is a weredragon.Amari must compete against kids who've known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent - one that the Bureau views as dangerous.With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn't pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton ...
Jessica Townsend
Chapter book
Enter the Wundrous world of Morrigan Crow and Nevermoor - the start of a fantastical children's series. Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks - and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organisation: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city and confront her deadly fate once and for all. Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and His Dark Materials, this series takes readers into an extraordinary world, setting hope and imagination alive.
Eva Ibbotson
Chapter book
Under Platform 13 at King's Cross Station there is a secret door that leads to a magical island . . .It appears only once every nine years. And when it opens, four mysterious figures step into the streets of London. A wizard, an ogre, a fey and a young hag have come to find the prince of their kingdom, stolen as a baby nine years before.But the prince has become a horrible rich boy called Raymond Trottle, who doesn't understand magic and is determined not to be rescued.The Secret of Platform 13 is an exciting magical adventure from Eva Ibbotson, the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in a special edition illustrated by Beatriz Castro. Discover more of the magical world with Sibeal Pounder's exciting adventure sequel, Beyond Platform 13, based on characters from Eva's original.
Rick Riordan
Chapter book

This is a multi-million-selling series that has also been televised with Disney and is hugely popular among fans of action and adventure. Percy Jackson’s modern world is turned upside down when he finds out he is descended from Greek gods. What follows is battles with monsters and epic quests in an action-packed series that merges Greek mythology with the modern world. There are also Teachers’ Notes available to download from the publisher.

Cressida Cowell
Chapter book
This is the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who have been taught since birth to hate each other like poison; and the thrilling tale of what happens when their two worlds collide. Perfect for boys and girls who love fantasy adventure... Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests. Until the Warriors came... Xar is a Wizard boy who has no Magic, and will do anything to get it. Wish is a Warrior girl, but she owns a banned Magical Object, and she will do anything to conceal it. In this whirlwind adventure, Xar and Wish must forget their differences if they're going to make it to the dungeons at Warrior Fort. Where something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring...

Abi Elphinstone
Chapter book
It is midnight in Crackledawn - a midnight full of magic. Sea dragons stir in the depths of the ocean, silver whales surface beneath the moon and sand goblins line the shores. Everyone is waiting for the phoenix, the guardian of the kingdom's magic, to rise up from the forests of Everdark .But there is no sign of the phoenix tonight. Something else surges up out of Everdark instead: a harpy bent on stealing Crackledawn's magic.It is up to an eleven-year-old girl called Smudge and a grumpy monkey called Bartholomew to set sail beyond the legendary Northswirl and stop the harpy before it's too late.So, grab your compass and roll down your sail - the first adventure in THE UNMAPPED CHRONICLES is about to begin . . .
Ross MacKenzie
Chapter book

‘The Nowhere Emporium’ by Ross MacKenzie offers an amazing journey into a magical world where the imagination knows no limit.

Daniel Holmes is an orphan living in Glasgow being bullied for being different. When being chased by the gang, a mysterious shop from nowhere appears and he is able to seek refuge. 

Showing himself to have unusual powers, Daniel is asked to join the Emporium where a magical labyrinth of rooms contains wonders beyond belief. He is transported around the world, having incredible adventures and experiences along the way.

However, magic and mystery come at a price…is Daniel willing to make the sacrifice?

This book hooks the reader immediately with the excitement of the shop being a portal to other worlds. Within the rooms themselves, wonderful and inexplicable things happen. There are opportunities for the reader to explore their imagination and wonder about what they might create in Daniel’s shoes.

J.J. Arcanjo
Chapter book
Such a brilliantly clever and unique twist on the boarding school genre, with complex characters and a great plot.

Gabriel has never really felt like he fits in. Abandoned by his parents as a baby, he’s lived with his ‘grandma’ ever since but they have moved house so many times that nowhere really feels like home. Why have they moved house so many times? The answer is that Gabriel has a habit of getting into trouble. Wherever he goes things seem to disappear and he always gets the blame. Until one day, when he picks the pocket of the wrong person (or should that be the right person?) and finds himself enrolled at Crookhaven – a school specifically aimed at honing the skills required of crooks but only so they can use them to put the world right. His lessons include Deception and History of Crookery. He quickly makes friends and throws himself into lessons. But the biggest challenge of the year is the Break-in. The aim? To break into the headteacher’s office and steal something that won’t be missed. Can Gabriel pull it off? And can he do it alone? Also, who are his parents and why did they abandon him?

An exciting start to what promises to be a brilliant series following Gabriel through his years at Crookhaven. The plot is full twists and turns and endearing characters. Just brilliant storytelling – I can’t wait to read the next one.

Katherine Rundell
Chapter book

As a lover of Katherine Rundell, I had high hopes for this, and dare I say, I think it may be her best yet!

Full of adventure, mythical creatures and character growth, it is perfect for a school library. The story follows a boy’s adventures when he discovers a cluster of magical islands on which all sorts of mythical creatures are really alive. He teams up with a local girl on a magical quest to save the islands.

The two main characters have a lot of grit and their adventure would be appealing to a lot of readers. It is an emotional journey, but one I think children would enjoy.

The world-building is exceptional, with detailed descriptions of the different creatures and exciting descriptions of the places along the journey,  allowing you to picture the settings in your mind. This is the kind of book that feeds children’s imaginations with wonderful and exciting ideas in a way that only the best children’s stories can do.

 

A. F. Steadman
Chapter book

Take everything you think you know about unicorns and discard it. They are not the shiny, mythical creatures that you believe you know. They are ferocious, magical and deadly creatures who are very much real. Each year, mainlander children hope to pass the Hatchery exam in order to become unicorn riders. Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith is no different. He wants to be a hero.

When it is finally Skandar’s time to realise his dreams, everything seems to turn against him. The Island’s most powerful unicorn is missing after being stolen by a haunting enemy that has returned with a vengeance and Skandar discovers a secret that could change everything and crush his dreams forever.

It is no surprise that film rights have already been acquired for this book. It is sure to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Skandar is an unlikely hero and author A.F. Steadman has written in a way that allows readers to delve deep into the characters’ emotions and motivations.

Similar to the Percy Jackson series, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief has enough magic and fantasy to engage children without it becoming too immature for older children. It would make the perfect read-aloud and could inspire lots of writing, although is most suitable for children in Upper KS2 and beyond with well-developed reading stamina. It would be a great addition to any school or class library, especially for those more confident readers to get their teeth into.


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