It’s Wednesday again, which means it’s time for What to Read Wednesday! This is where I give you read alike books, and suggestions about books you might enjoy. This way everyone can grow their reading list! If you have any books you would like me to feature on What to Read Wednesday, leave me a comment and I’ll try my best!
Today we are going to talk about a favorite of mine.
What to read if you liked Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Let me preface this entire post by saying – this is my kid-friendly version of books I suggest when I hear that someone enjoyed the Harry Potter books. These are the books we have personally read to our kids, and we have all enjoyed them. I do think there are more books I could suggest for an older reader who enjoyed Harry Potter. (The Hunger Games, The Paper Magician, Twilight…but I’ll have to save my older recommendations for another post!)
We read aloud a lot to our kids and I would recommend any of these books to any one – over the age of 6-8.
1. Brandon Mull
Brandon Mull is my top recommendation to kids who have loved Harry Potter. He has a lot of different books you can chose from and my kids have loved each one of them.
Fablehaven, Brandon Mull: My kids got hooked on this series when we read it aloud to them. They have now read it again on their own and are looking forward to a sequel series coming out this year!
Beyonders, Brandon Mull: My husband and I both read these books but haven’t read them to the kids until recently. They are hooked. We are currently reading book 2 each night.
Five Kingdoms, Brandon Mull: We are (kinda) patiently waiting for the next book in this series to come out (this spring!) It’s a huge hit if you love fantasy/magical worlds.
Candy Shop Wars, Brandon Mull: This book is full of magical fun, and if you aren’t into as many of the creatures in Harry Potter but enjoy the magic, this is a good pick for you.
2. Rick Riordan
I always have to say to people when I suggest this book – do NOT judge a book by it’s movie. We should all know that by now, right? I am not a big fan of the movies at all. My husband didn’t read the book, but watched the movie and decided he would never read these to the kids! How sad! He is totally missing out and I keep trying to convince him of that. I read these to the kids and we enjoyed them.
Percy Jackson, Rick Riordan: Fun books – kids with magical powers, and a special school for them – bad guys, fight scenes, growing up and friendships, plus I always think we get to learn a little bit of Greek History too when we read these aloud.
Heroes of Olympus, Rick Riordan: This is a sequel series to the Percy Jackson books. I almost liked these more, I enjoyed the characters and I loved that I got to see new and old ones.
I know Rick Riordan has a couple more books out too. I enjoyed the Kane Chornicles, but I haven’t read it to the kids yet.
3. Tyler Whitesides
If you followed my blog last year you might already know that we are huge fans of the Janitor Series, by Tyler Whitesides. These books are full of magic and action and I think they are pretty comical too. I love the characters! I started by reading these aloud to my older boys but then they enjoyed the series so much they read a head and both of them finished the books before me. Tyler Whitesides isn’t as well known as Brandon Mull or Rick Riordan, but trust me, you can’t go wrong with these books!
4. Spiderwick Chronicles
This past spring and summer my boys fell in love with the Spiderwick Chronicles, by Holly Black and Tony DiTerLizzi. They have read (and probably re-read) every copy they can get from the library. They love these books. (They don’t love the movie so much). But I really think if you love Harry Potter you could enjoy this magical world too.
Runners Up:
If the top four are ones that you’ve read already or don’t hold your interest here are a couple more short suggestions I have.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Chris Grabenstein – Think, the library meets the Night at the Museum, this book really is one that we all enjoyed!
James and the Giant Peach, Ronald Dahl (or any other book by Ronald Dahl). His books are funny, magical and classics that my kids have always enjoyed.
Inkheart, Cornelia Funke – characters from books come alive – if you love books and magical worlds, this is one you won’t wan tot miss!
Are you a Harry Potter Fan?
Have you read any of these?
What would you add or take away from this list?
Leave me a comment and let me know!
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