10 Alternatives to Harry Potter

Harry Potter was the gateway to reading for many of us. Drawings of the magical creatures cluttered our fridges and bedroom walls. We imagined ourselves as the Golden Trio, slinging spells at each other and saving the world.

Of course, we’d love to introduce the next generations to the magic of reading, but what other books are there that could conjure those feelings? 

Here are ten Middle Grade books set in magical worlds that are alternatives to Harry Potter! 

#1: The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim

Riley is an outsider, even in her own family, because of her lack of magic. Her sister, Hattie, is close to becoming a fully-fledged Korean witch. When they try to share the magic between each other, the magical laws of the realm come crashing down. Now they must find the Last Fallen Star to save each other. 

#2: Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston

Also available as an eAudio (BorrowBox), eBook (BorrowBox), eBook (Libby). 

When her brother goes missing, Amari continues to search for him despite everyone’s insistence. This optimism leads her to discover a secret organisation full of fairies, aliens, and other magical creatures. Amari must pass the tryouts and become part of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs or risk losing her brother forever. 

#3: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Mary Townsend 

Also available as eAudio (Libby), eAudio (BorrowBox), Spanish eBook (Libby), Audiobook (MP3).

Bad luck-bringer Morrigan Crowe is destined to die at midnight, that is until a mysterious man brings her to the magical city of Nevermoor. There, Morrigan must pass four deadly trials to secure her safety. 

#4: The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton 

Also available as eAudio (BorrowBox)

A magical school residing in the sky, the Arcanum Training Institute welcomes Marvellers from all around the world. Classes feature: Global elixirs, Universal Incants and Their Origins, and even West African Oral Story Incants. 11-year-old Ella attends Arcanum for the first time, but not everyone is excited to have a Conjuror in their class- especially when a notorious criminal escapes with the help of one. She must navigate a new world while proving her innocence.

#5: Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura 

Japanese magic and folklore come alive in this middle grade read. Momo has grown up listening to her mother’s stories, believing them to be fiction - Until one day, a monster attacks her. Join Momo and her friends as they try to save the world from demons. 

#6: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

Also available as a graphic novel in our physical and digital collection. 

A classic children’s fantasy story gets new life with this new graphic novel adaptation. Ged discovers his new magical powers and gets whisked off to a wizarding school. He meets new friends, rivals, and... a shadow creature that doesn’t seem to leave him alone. 

#7: Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Follow 12-year-old Aru through an adventure delving into Hindu mythology, as she accidentally frees an ancient demon. She must team up with a ragtag group of outsiders to help unfreeze all of whom she cares about. 

#8: Dragons in a bag by Zetta Elliot

Jaxon and his friends, Vikram and Kavita, accidentally release sweet-toothed baby dragons. Now they must adventure through Brooklyn, NYC to find them and bring them home. 

#9: The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

Aster’s family has always trained boys to be shapeshifters and girls to be witches. However, Aster still hasn’t received his shapeshifting powers and instead wants to learn the secrecy behind magic. This graphic novel has beautiful illustrations that capture supernatural vibes. 

#10: Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found by Rucker Moses

12-year-old Kingston wants one thing: to find his father, King Preston. His father was once the greatest magician ever, but one bad trick left the world magicless and Kingston fatherless. Kingston must navigate a new world where magicians are hated while hiding his own magic. 

Bonus book, a blast from the past! 

The Dark Rising by Susan Cooper 
Also available as an eAudio (Libby).

No one said classics have to be boring. What would you do if you found out your ancestors were not human? Will Stanton learns he descends from a powerful entity- the Old Ones. He must battle between the light and dark forces; how can he stop fighting when the dark is rising?