Entertainment
It's hard to believe that anything can compare to the childhood magic that is the Harry Potter series. I've re-read the books countless times, and can't wait to pass along the wonder and possibility of the series to my own children. But one cannot live on Potter tales alone. Once your child has finished reading through the saga of Harry and his friends, they're going to want more. It's only natural. And lucky for you, there are plenty of books for kids to read if they love Harry Potter. You just have to do a little searching for them.
Harry Potter Box Set, $52, Amazon
The reason so many people — adults and children alike — have fallen in love with the world of Harry Potter is because J.K. Rowling blended situations and themes that can happen to any child, muggle or wizard, and placed them in a magical world so rich with detail and possibility, that you could still relate to the books, even if you've never cast a spell or held a wand yourself. The heavy themes of loss and coming of age are balanced with the perfect amount of imagination and whimsy, and the following books have that same magical feeling that Harry Potter gave you. So the next time your child is jonesing for a dose of something Harry Potter-esque, try one of the tales below and watch their love for books unfold again and again.
1
'The Golden Compass' by Philip Pullman
The first book in the trilogy of His Dark Materials introduces readers to a young girl named Lyra, whose best friend Roger has just been stolen by the Gobblers — folks from the North who steal children. What unfolds in The Golden Compass is an incredible adventure of fantasy and fierce friendship, where Lyra is forced to leave her childhood behind in order to help save Roger, and ultimately, the world she knows.
2
'Inkheart' by Cornelia Funke
Meggie's father has the incredible magical ability to bring characters to life — and one evening, an evil ruler escapes the pages of the book they're reading together, and Meggie finds herself in the midst of the kind of magic and adventure and peril that she's only read about. In Inkheart, Meggie must learn how to harness the power of the magic her father possesses in order to change the course of the story she's now a part of.
3
'The Alchemyst: The Secrets Of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel' by Michael Scott
Of course you recognize the name Nicholas Flamel by now, and your child will too. In The Alchemyst, readers dive deep into the world of Nicholas Flamel and discover more about him than they ever imagined possible.
4
'Magisterium' by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
All of his life, Callum Hunt has been warned away from magic by his father. But when his trial comes, he fails to fail, and now, the Magisterium awaits him. In Magisterium, sensational and sinister things are abound, and the only way to find his path to his future is by forging right through, and participating in the Iron Trials, something his father told him would only end terribly.
5
'The Amulet Of Samarkand' by Jonathan Stroud
When magician's apprentice Nathaniel is embarrassed in front of a crowd by hotshot magician Simon Lovelace, Nathaniel summons up the djinni Bartimaeus in order to exact some revenge. The Amulet of Samarkand takes readers on an adventure when Nathaniel gets more than he bargained for with Bartimaeus, and finds himself wrapped up in the whirlwind that he's created.
6
'Percy Jackson & The Olympians' by Rick Riordan
When Percy Jackson finds out he's a demigod, his entire world turns upside down. In book one of this series, The Lightning Thief, Percy learns that the father he never knew is actually the Greek God Poseidon. From there, things only get more and more wild. With his new demigod friends from Camp Half-Blood in tow, Percy embarks on a dangerous adventure to reach the Underworld.
7
'Artemis Fowl' by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl is a genius, a millionaire, a criminal mastermind, and a 12 year old boy. Know-it-all Artemis finds himself in a bit of hot water when he kidnaps a faerie captain and is left learning the hard way that some things are better left undisturbed.
8
'The Spiderwick Chronicles' by Tony Diterlizzi & Holly Black
After finding a mysterious field guide in their new home, siblings Jared, Simon, and Mallory discover that there's a magical world quite similar to ours, the world of faerie. The Spiderwick Chronicles tells the tales of their adventures, both magical and dangerous.
9
'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell
Twins Wren and Cath have always done everything together, now, they're even heading to college together. At one point in time, both sisters were deeply involved in the Simon Snow fandom, a magical story that tells the tale of an orphan boy and his magical life. Wren has since grown out of the Simon Snow fangirl life, but Cath can't seem to let go. In Fangirl, Cath grapples with growing up, and growing into herself, wondering if both of those things mean leaving the world of Simon Snow behind.
10
'Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs
After tragedy strikes 16 year old Jacob's family, he finds himself amongst the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children, and soon enough, finds himself in the midst of a great adventure.
11
'The Kingdom Keepers' by Ridley Pearson
A fun series with a Disney tie in, The Kingdom Keepers takes readers on a wild ride with five young teens tapped to train as theme park guides — who get much more than they bargained for. Mixing reality and fantasy with all of your favorite Disney characters, this series is an exciting ride through a world you thought you knew so much about.
12
'Eragon' by Christopher Paolini
15 year old Eragon is a poor farm boy, and believes his life to be fulfilled by that destiny. But his destiny is so much more than that. Eragon shows the boy that he is meant to be a Dragon Rider, and in his journey to his true destiny, he finds himself mixed up in a world of magic, glory, and danger.
13
'The Warrior Heir' by Cinda Williams Chima
16 year old Jack lives a completely normal life in a small town in Ohio. He takes daily medicine for the thick scar above his heart, and he lives a life much like any other teenager in the town of Trinity. But when Jack skips his medicine one day, he finds himself feeling stronger than ever. It feels great, until he loses control of the newfound power and almost takes out another kid during soccer tryouts. Jack learns the truth in The Warrior Heir, that he is a Weirlind, a member of an underground magical society that live amongst normal people. Not only is he a Weirlind, but he's one of the last warriors, which turns up the stakes of his future and fate.
