stop supporting JKR!!!

books to get for the middle grade readers in your life that have similar vibes but are NOT Harry Potter (and are in fact better)

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created by rrosalindd

last updated January, 2026

81

Comments

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is one you could add! It's not a completed series yet but it's such a cute, lighthearted page turner (with a giant talking cat)

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it looks so cute!!

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Great list! If youd like recs, I suggest Amari and the Night Brothers!

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Seconding this!

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Thank you!!!!

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The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is exactly this!

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oh I second yours, too!!

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Seconding (thirding?) this!!

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thank you!!!!

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The Phantom Tollbooth is an OG and it’s great! Ditto Anne of Green Gables!

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oooh I forgot about phantom tollbooth!! I may not add Anne of green gables because it’s not so much fantasy or magical realism but I love that suggestion too!

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A good and worthy list!! I think The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey and the Warriors series by Erin Hunter would also be good recs for youngsters who like HP.

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omg I loved both growing up…will add!!

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Gregor the Overlander mentioned 🗣🗣

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literally no one is ever talking about him!!

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The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh is a more obscure suggestion, but a childhood favorite of mine

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thank you!!

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oooh! great list! so happy to see some of my childhood faves here (artemis fowl mentioned!!!!)

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thank you!!

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would the magic tree house books be a little too juvenile for this list? i remember reading them around the same time as the green book, and maybe a little earlier than artemis fowl!

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ooooh I’m not sure! I think I’ll add it though because I feel middle grade is a pretty wide spectrum!

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yayay!!

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This is a wonderful list! Some middle grade favorites of mine were Fablehaven and The Sisters Grimm

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omg I loved sisters Grimm!! I never read fablehaven but I’ve heard good stuff about it!

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Omg someone else who read them!!!!!!!!

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👏👏👏

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I don’t know if it fits the list but I also loved the Molly Moon series, it’s about a girl who learns hypnotism and goes on adventures

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I FREAKING LOVED MOLLY MOON

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She was my everything 😭

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I think the Circle books (Emelan series) by Tamora Pierce would fit well in this list ♥️

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I’ll add the first one!! :-)

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