Books to read if you love Harry Potter
The wizard himself may be all grown up, but we’ve chosen our pick of the best books like Harry Potter to keep the magic alive.
So you've finished Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows for the eighteenth time, and need a little break before starting back on page one of The Philosopher's Stone. We've all been there. But what to do about that gaping Harry-Potter-shaped hole in your life?
The good news is you're not the first person to ask the question. So, we've collated our list of the very best books like Harry Potter, packed full of magic and mystery.
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
by Ursula Moray Williams
Perfect for children aged 5 - 8 years
Misplaced Gobbolino is more interested in finding his family than magic tricks and so begins the adventure of a lifetime as he leaves his witch behind to find where he belongs. With glorious illustrations by Catherine Rayner, a ribbon marker and a foreword by Joan Aiken.
The Greatest Magician in the World
by Matt Edmonson
Perfect for children aged 6 - 11 years
Elliot's great grandfather had once been known as The Greatest Magician in the World and Elliot is desperate to follow in his footsteps. But it's tricky when there's no one around to teach you. Join Elliot on a magical adventure that could change his life forever!
Children can also learn to perform the magic tricks Elliot performs in the book.
The Secret of Platform 13
by Eva Ibbotson
Perfect for children aged 7 - 11 years
Unlock the secret hidden under the secret door on platform 13 at King’s Cross station.
The Secret of Platform 13 is an exciting magical adventure featuring a wizard, an ogre, a fey and a young hag from Eva Ibbotson, the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea.
Which Witch?
by Eva Ibbotson
Perfect for children aged 7 - 11 years
Arriman the awful, feared wizard of the north has decided to marry. His wife must be a witch of the darkest powers - but which witch will she be? Which Witch? is a brilliantly witty tale of magic and marriage by Eva Ibbotson, and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
Skulduggery Pleasant
by Derek Landy
Perfect for children aged 9 - 11 years
Skulduggery Pleasant, an undead sorcerer and detective, and his partner Stephanie Edgley combine forces with numerous magic-wielding allies to prevent the release of a devastating weapon of power on the world. Dive into the debut novel from irish playwright Derek Landy.
Magisterium: The Iron Trial
by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Perfect for children aged 9 - 11 years
The Iron Trial introduces Callum Hunt as he participates in a series of tests to see whether he has sufficient magic to attend the magical underground school, The Magisterium. Plenty of potter parallels from the imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare as they give us a heart-stopping plunge into the magical unknown.
Fly By Night
by Frances Hardinge
Perfect for children aged 12 years +
As the realm struggles to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and tyranny, a twelve-year-old orphan and her loyal companion, a grumpy goose, are about to become the unlikely heroes of a radical revolution.
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge has an unforgettable cast of characters and an inspiring message at its heart - sometimes the power of words can change the world.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
by J. K. Rowling
Perfect for children aged 12 years +
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is an extensive introduction to the magical beasts that exist in the magical, non-muggle world of the Harry Potter universe. Look out for scribblings from Harry, Ron and Hermione who couldn't resist adding their own opinions in the margins.
Watch our #BookBreak video for more wonderful books filled with wizards, witches, magical schools, long-lost families and strong-willed protagonists.