How to Find Books Similar to Harry Potter

If you're the parent of a young Harry Potter fan, your child is almost certainly eager for the next book in the series to be released. In the meantime, though, there are lots of other books that your child may enjoy. Harry Potter books are a blend of fantasy tales, classic school stories and adventure stories, so you should be able to find lots of books that contain at least one of these elements.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Read the Harry Potter books yourself, if you haven't already. This may stir memories of similar books that you read during your own childhood.

2. Look for works by other children's fantasy authors ' some of Roald Dahl's work is very similar in style and tone to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. Also check out the works of C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, J.R.R. Tolkien and E. Nesbit, among many others.

3. Search out other school stories ' many of these will be by British authors. Kipling's "Stalky and Co.," and some of Enid Blyton's work, may be a good place to start.

4. Find other classic children's adventure stories - "Treasure Island," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and some versions of "The Three Musketeers" may appeal to your adventure-loving child.

5. Ask a children's librarian for recommendations. He or she will almost certainly be able to point you in the direction of other well-written fantasy novels for children.

6. Look for works by less well-known authors. Robert C. O'Brien's "The Silver Crown" is an excellent, though little-known, "dark fantasy" novel for young readers, and there are many other good books out there, though you may have to hunt to find them.

7. Check out online Harry Potter discussion groups. Other kids or parents may be able to recommend books that they have enjoyed.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your child's teacher if he or she can recommend any books in a similar style to the Harry Potter series. Most elementary school teachers keep track of developments in children's literature.
• Remember to supervise your kids if you let them visit online chat rooms. Also, remind them never to give out personal information to anyone they meet online.
• Not all fantasy books are suitable for children; many contain realistic scenes of violence that you may not feel your child is ready for, so read the books yourself ahead of time if you have any doubts.

[honeybee2w]

on 10/16/2009 or just try looking it up on Tastekid: http://www.tastekid.com/ask?f=1&q=harry+potter

:)

[athenenoctua]

on 2/20/2009 What? Nobody mentioned Terry Pratchett? For shame...

[mcgburson]

on 12/19/2008 Good recommendations. The Eragon series is also a favorite for most young readers who enjoy Harry Potter.

on 2/23/2006 Fantastic new book, written by a new, author, and one to watch in the literary world - unbelievably in his spare time!
Finn and Erin Blackwell are unknowingly about to embark on an adventure, which will take them to another world. Befriended by Willie and Cameron McDougal they enter the domain of Lethavian, The Dark Spirit. Their quest is to destroy Lethavian, before he, destroys them! Their every move is tracked by Black Hammers, large, evil, raven-like birds, loyal only to The Dark Spirit. Finn and Erin are pushed to their limits as Lethavian unleashes his Mudthogs and Shadow demons upon them, he has however, not bargained upon the resilience of his young persecutors.
This is most definitely one to get hold of.

on 11/22/2005 I, one of Harry's biggest fans, have discovered several series of books that any fantasy-lover could enjoy:
"Charlie Bone" series by Jenny Nimmo (Midnight for Charlie Bone, Charlie Bone and the Time Twister, Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy, and Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors)
"Artemis Fowl" series by Eion Colfer (Artemis Fowl, Artemis Fowl: the Arctic Incident, Artemis Fowl: the Eternity Code, and Artemis Fowl: the Opal Deception)
"Keys to the Kingdom" series by Garth Nix (Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday, Drowned Wednesday)
"The Wizard of Oz" by Baum (an oldie but a goodie!)
"The Witches," "The BFG," "Matilda," or anything else by Roald Dahl
"His Dark Materials Trilogy" by Phillip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)