9 magical children’s books to read instead of Harry Potter
While the author and her harmful, dangerous opinions can gladly get in the bin, I have a long re;ationship with a certain magical school and I’m not ready to give it up. If you are, I totally respect that, but I’m not ready yet.
I do know that people are looking for magical worlds for themselves and their children to escape to that aren’t affiliated with JKR that evoke that same escapism and enchantment, and it’s something I’ve started to delve into too.
I’ve never been much of a middle grade reader, even when I was of middle grade age, but it’s something I’ve started to delve into over the last few years as I search for that whimsical wonder I found when reading as a child and teenager. I’ve found some stunning novels and series that have wormed their way into my heart and favourites lists.
The books I’m about to share with you are a mixture of ones I’ve read and loved, and ones I’m desperate to dive into, but I have to warn you that they’re all going to sweep you away into fantastical worlds of magic, mayhem and wonder.
‘Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow’ by Jessica Townsend - this series about a cursed girl destined to die on her 11th birthday who then gets whisked away to a magical world where she becomes part of a mysterious secret society stole my heart last year. It’s full of wonder, (or wunder…) adventure and glorious friendships.
‘Winterhouse’ by Ben Guterson - when orphaned Elizabeth is shipped off to the mysterious Winterhouse Hotel she discover a library full of puzzles that will unlock the secrets of the hotel and break it’s curse.
‘Frostheart’ by Jamie Littler - somewhere in the further part of the world, Ash waits with her yeti for his parents to return until a rescue attempt reveals his magical powers and he joins the crew of the ‘Frostheart’ who need his help, and they might also be able to help him find his family.
‘The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club’ by Alex Bell - Stella and three other explorers are journeying across the frozen Icelands, but when they get separated from their expedition they must try to survive in a frozen wilderness of snow queens, frost fairies and carnivorous cabbages.
‘Starfell: Willow Moss and the Lost Day’ by Dominique Valente - Willow is the youngest and least magical member of the Moss family of witches who has the ability to find lost things. Then the most powerful witch of them all appears at her door and ask for help in finding last Tuesday which mysteriously vanished. Without it, the whole world could unravel.
‘The Strangeworld Travel Agency’ by LD Lapinski - when Flick finds herself in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency she discovers that there are hundreds of other worlds just waiting to be explored, and she gets invited to join Strangeworlds and explore.
‘Amari and the Night Brothers’ by BB Alston - when Amari’s brother goes missing and the chance to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and passes three trials, she has the opportunity to find out what happened to him.
‘The Hatmakers’ by Tamzin Merchant - Cordelia’s family has a history of being magical milliners and when someone starts to use Maker magic to start a war, she must find out who it is and stop them.
‘Lockwood and Co.: The Screaming Staircase’ by Jonathan Stroud - I adore this Gothic series set in an alternate London where ghosts roam freely and ghostly detection ages are in high demand to banish them. Lucy joins the new and upcoming Lockwood and Co. agency to make a name for herself. Utterly glorious and I adore every book in this series.
I’ve got a whole lot of reading to do in the middle grade world, but I am finally working my way through Rick Riordan’s book (only 15 years after everyone else…) and beginning to immerse myself in some other magical worlds too.
Have you fallen in love with any magical children’s books lately?
Written by Sophie
