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)
created by rrosalindd
last updated January, 2026
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)
it looks so cute!!
Great list! If youd like recs, I suggest Amari and the Night Brothers!
Seconding this!
Thank you!!!!
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is exactly this!
oh I second yours, too!!
Seconding (thirding?) this!!
thank you!!!!
The Phantom Tollbooth is an OG and itâs great! Ditto Anne of Green Gables!
oooh I forgot about phantom tollbooth!! I may not add Anne of green gables because itâs not so much fantasy or magical realism but I love that suggestion too!
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.
omg I loved both growing upâŚwill add!!
Gregor the Overlander mentioned đŁđŁ
literally no one is ever talking about him!!
The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh is a more obscure suggestion, but a childhood favorite of mine
thank you!!
oooh! great list! so happy to see some of my childhood faves here (artemis fowl mentioned!!!!)
thank you!!
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!
ooooh Iâm not sure! I think Iâll add it though because I feel middle grade is a pretty wide spectrum!
yayay!!
This is a wonderful list! Some middle grade favorites of mine were Fablehaven and The Sisters Grimm
omg I loved sisters Grimm!! I never read fablehaven but Iâve heard good stuff about it!
Omg someone else who read them!!!!!!!!
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I donât know if it fits the list but I also loved the Molly Moon series, itâs about a girl who learns hypnotism and goes on adventures
I think the Circle books (Emelan series) by Tamora Pierce would fit well in this list âĽď¸
Iâll add the first one!! :-)