10 Best Books Like Harry Potter for Kids & Middle Grade Readers
09 Aug 2026
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When my 10-year-old daughter finished the final chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, she closed the book, turned to me with tears in her eyes, and asked the question every parent of a voracious reader dreads: “What am I supposed to read now?”
Finding books like Harry Potter that match its unique blend of magical worldbuilding, boarding school camaraderie, mysterious prophecies, and emotional growth is a rite of passage for young readers. If a child dives straight from Hogwarts into an overly dense or dry fantasy novel, they often stall out and lose their reading momentum.
In this curated guide, I break down the 10 absolute best book series for Harry Potter fans, complete with official Lexile measures, Accelerated Reader (AR) scores, recommended age ranges, and content comparisons.
Quick Answer: The top recommended books like Harry Potter include Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (Lexile 680L–820L, ages 8–12), Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (Lexile 790L, ages 8–12), Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (Lexile 720L, ages 8–12), and Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (Lexile 810L, ages 9–13). For readers seeking magical school settings, Nevermoor and Amari are the closest matches.
Quick Answer: What Should You Read After Harry Potter?
Transitioning away from Hogwarts depends on what aspect of J.K. Rowling’s series your reader loved most.
- For Mythology & Fast Action: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
- For Whimsical Magical Schools: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
- For Secret Societies & Magic: Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
- For Epic Worldbuilding & Elves: Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
- For Darker Mystery & Anti-Heroes: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
| Book Series | Author | Lexile Level | AR Level | Target Age Range | Primary Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percy Jackson | Rick Riordan | 680L – 820L | 4.2 – 5.3 | Ages 8–12 | Greek demigods, humor, fast action |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | 790L | 5.6 | Ages 8–12 | Whimsical magical trials & academy |
| Amari & the Night Brothers | B.B. Alston | 720L | 5.2 | Ages 8–12 | Secret supernatural agency, mystery |
| Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger | 810L – 890L | 5.0 – 6.2 | Ages 9–13 | High-elf fantasy world, long series |
| Skandar & the Unicorn Thief | A.F. Steadman | 770L | 5.4 | Ages 9–12 | Elemental magic, fierce bonded unicorns |
| The Land of Stories | Chris Colfer | 720L – 790L | 5.0 – 5.6 | Ages 8–12 | Fairy tale portal fantasy, twin heroes |
| Fablehaven | Brandon Mull | 700L – 790L | 4.8 – 5.5 | Ages 8–12 | Secret mythical creature sanctuary |
| Artemis Fowl | Eoin Colfer | 600L – 780L | 5.0 – 5.9 | Ages 9–13 | Tech-savvy fairy criminal mastermind |
| Aru Shah & the End of Time | Roshani Chokshi | 710L – 790L | 4.7 – 5.2 | Ages 8–12 | Hindu mythology, witty quests |
| The Marvellers | Dhonielle Clayton | 730L | 5.1 | Ages 8–12 | Sky-castle academy of magic |
Top 10 Fantasy Series for Harry Potter Fans
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
If Harry Potter is the gold standard for British boarding school fantasy, Percy Jackson is its American demigod counterpart. Twelve-year-old Percy discovers he is the son of Poseidon and is whisked away to Camp Half-Blood, a secret training sanctuary for demigods.
When I introduced The Lightning Thief to my 5th-grade reading group, the blend of modern sarcasm, fast-paced questing, and Greek mythology hooked every student within two chapters.
- Lexile Measure: 680L (Book 1) to 820L
- AR Level: 4.7 (Book 1) | Points: 13.0
- Why Harry Potter Fans Love It: Prophecies, three core friends (Percy, Annabeth, Grover), and a hidden magical world operating right beneath everyday human awareness.
For a full breakdown of reading complexity, review our Percy Jackson reading level guide.
2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
When I read Morrigan Crow’s story, I noticed how instantly relatable her struggles feel; she is cursed to die on her eleventh birthday. Instead, a mysterious man named Jupiter North whisks her away to the magical secret city of Nevermoor. To stay, she must compete in four dangerous trials to join the prestigious Wundrous Society.
- Lexile Measure: 790L
- AR Level: 5.6 | Points: 18.0
- Why Harry Potter Fans Love It: Nevermoor recaptures the magical wonder of Diagon Alley and Hogwarts better than almost any modern series. Hotel Deucalion feels as alive and cozy as the Gryffindor common room.
3. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
What surprised me most when reading Amari Peters was the sheer speed of the plot; she is a 13-year-old girl from Atlanta who believes her missing brother Quinton is still alive. Her search leads her to a tryout at the secret Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, where she discovers magic is real—and that she possesses an extraordinarily rare and illegal form of magic.
- Lexile Measure: 720L
- AR Level: 5.2 | Points: 14.0
- Why Harry Potter Fans Love It: An underdog protagonist, competitive tryout trials, house-style departments, and a thrilling mystery involving dark magic.
4. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie Foster is a 12-year-old telepathic girl who doesn’t fit in with humans. She learns she is actually an elf and is transported to the Lost Cities, where she attends Foxfire Academy, a elite glowing school for young elves.
- Lexile Measure: 810L – 890L
- AR Level: 5.0 – 6.2 | Points: 19.0 to 32.0 per book
- Why Harry Potter Fans Love It: Massive worldbuilding, sprawling plot arcs across 9+ thick novels, and strong friendship dynamics.
5. Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman
Forget sparkly pastel fairy tales—Skandar’s world features ferocious, element-wielding unicorns that must be bonded to teenage riders on The Eyrie island. Skandar dreams of becoming a unicorn rider, but when a shadowy villain steals the island’s most powerful beast, he must take to the skies.
- Lexile Measure: 770L
- AR Level: 5.4 | Points: 14.0
- Why Harry Potter Fans Love It: Elemental magic houses (Water, Fire, Earth, Air), flight trials, and fierce companion beasts.
Magical Academy & Boarding School Alternatives
If your child’s favorite part of Harry Potter was Hogwarts itself—the dormitories, sorting ceremonies, magical classes, and ancient secrets—these four titles specifically emphasize the magical school setting:
1. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend: Wundrous Society trials & hotel residence.
2. The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton: The Arcanum Training Institute, a sky-castle academy high above the clouds.
3. Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega: The town of Ravenskill, where young witches are sorted into coven houses during the Black Salt Ceremony.
4. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston: The Bureau of Supernatural Affairs training academy.
When evaluating reading progression for middle-grade readers, comparing these titles against official Harry Potter reading level guide benchmarks ensures students stay within their ideal comprehension zone.
Lexile & Grade Level Comparison for Harry Potter Alternatives
To help parents and librarians select the perfect match based on independent reading ability, here is how these 10 series compare by Lexile measure and grade level:
| Series Title | Lexile Measure | Grade Level Equivalent | Recommended Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artemis Fowl | 600L – 780L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 9–13 |
| Percy Jackson | 680L – 820L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| Fablehaven | 700L – 790L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| Aru Shah | 710L – 790L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| Amari & the Night Brothers | 720L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| Land of Stories | 720L – 790L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| The Marvellers | 730L | Grade 4–6 | Ages 8–12 |
| Skandar & the Unicorn Thief | 770L | Grade 5–7 | Ages 9–12 |
| Nevermoor | 790L | Grade 4–7 | Ages 8–12 |
| Keeper of the Lost Cities | 810L – 890L | Grade 5–8 | Ages 9–13 |
For classic fantasy options like The Chronicles of Narnia, Lexile scores range between 790L and 940L (DRA 40–50), offering an excellent step up for advanced 5th and 6th graders.
For broader system score conversions, check out our reading level comparison guide and middle-grade Lexile targets overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What series should I read if I like Harry Potter?
The single best series to read after Harry Potter is Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. For readers who want a whimsical magical school setting, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is the closest match.
What is a good book series for a 10 year old who loves Harry Potter?
For 10-year-olds (5th grade), Nevermoor (Lexile 790L), Amari and the Night Brothers (Lexile 720L), and Keeper of the Lost Cities (Lexile 810L) offer the ideal balance of magical mystery, age-appropriate themes, and engaging worldbuilding.
What fantasy books are similar to Harry Potter for middle schoolers?
For middle schoolers (ages 11–14), Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman, and Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger provide sophisticated plots, higher Lexile complexity, and expanding lore.
What book is most like Harry Potter?
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is widely considered by literacy specialists to be the most similar in atmospheric magic, hotel/boarding school comfort, and charming character relationships.
Recommended Next Steps for Parents
Helping your child transition from Hogwarts into a new literary world is an exciting milestone. Start by trying book one of Percy Jackson or Nevermoor together. If your reader loves audiobook formats, both series feature phenomenal audio narrators that bring the magical worlds to life.
For trusted independent parent reviews and age advisories, consult Common Sense Media or literacy guidance from Reading Rockets.
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