Can you recall the first book that truly spoke to you?

For numerous readers, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling was that transformative book. As they journeyed alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione, they felt a sense of belonging nurtured within the enchanting halls of Hogwarts. The magic of these stories isn’t limited to children—many adults experience the wonder of “Harry Potter” for the first time or uncover treasures in the books after having only watched the films.

If you’re in search of books that evoke a similar sense of wonder, we have suggestions that cater to everyone—from young readers diving into middle-grade fantasies to adults seeking contemporary tales with Potter-esque themes, as well as timeless classics for all ages.

Books to Explore After ‘Harry Potter’

While there are six more books in the “Harry Potter” series (along with a few spin-offs) to enjoy after “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” if you’ve read them all and crave more magical adventures, consider these 10 delightful reads.

‘The Secret of Platform 13’ by Eva Ibbotson

This enchanting tale from 1994 reveals a hidden railway platform that appears only nine days every nine years, linking London to a fantastical realm where humans, mermaids, ogres, fairies, and various magical beings coexist. When the prince of this realm is kidnapped, an unexpected quartet composed of an ogre, a hag, a wizard, and a fairy must navigate London stealthily to rescue him.

‘Midnight for Charlie Bone’ by Jenny Nimmo

If you loved the magical photographs in “Harry Potter,” this middle-grade series, “Children of the Red King,” is a must-read. The journey begins with Charlie Bone, a boy who can hear people from photos conversing. In this universe, the extraordinary powers of the Red King are inherited by unexpected descendants. After being sent to Bloor Academy, a school for the exceptionally gifted by his aunts, Charlie discovers that possessing magical abilities can lead to both thrilling adventures and perilous situations.

‘The Goldfinch’ by Donna Tartt

If you seek a more mature version of “Harry Potter,” you might enjoy this critically acclaimed contemporary novel. “The Goldfinch” follows thirteen-year-old Theo, whose life is shattered after a tragic incident. Left with nothing but a small painting to remind him of his mother, he finds refuge with a wealthy family and gets entangled in a world of crime.

‘Legendborn’ by Tracy Deonn

“Legendborn” shares similarities with the “Harry Potter” saga, featuring a school as a nurturing environment, magical beings, and a secretive student organization. In this tale by Tracy Deonn, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews attends a gifted high school program while trying to escape her grief. However, a magical assault on her first night awakens her latent magic and reveals a hidden world of demons and a secret society of students on the hunt for them. By infiltrating this society, Bree confronts the truth about her mother’s passing as well as her own unique abilities.

‘The Sword of Summer’ by Rick Riordan

This book marks the beginning of the middle-grade series “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard,” authored by Rick Riordan, known for the “Percy Jackson” series. In “The Sword of Summer,” we meet Magnus Chase, a young man who has survived on his own on the streets of Boston for two years. When his uncle finds him, he reveals that Magnus is the offspring of a Norse deity and possesses a long-lost powerful weapon that has been hidden away for centuries.

‘The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches’ by Sangu Mandanna

This charming fantasy tale is ideal for fans of Harry Potter who appreciate the theme of “found family.” Mika Moon, one of the rare witches in the UK, is an orphan and must conceal her magical abilities. The only link she has to the magical world is an online profile where she shares videos “pretending” to be a witch, thinking no one would take her seriously. However, when someone does, Mika is compelled to break every rule and travel to the enigmatic Nowhere House to instruct young witches.

‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ by Ursula K. Le Guin

Released nearly three decades before J.K. Rowling’s initial “Harry Potter” series, “A Wizard of Earthsea” marks the beginning of the critically lauded “Earthsea Cycle” by fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin. The story follows Ged, a young sorcerer who, in his thirst for power, meddles with deep secrets, casting a shadow over the realm. “A Wizard of Earthsea” chronicles his adventures with dragons, power, and confronting “death’s threshold” as he seeks to restore harmony in Earthsea.

‘The Serpent’s Secret’ by Sayantani DasGupta

Similar to Harry, Kiranmala discovers her latent powers on her middle-school birthday in “The Serpent’s Secret.” In this first installment of the “Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond” series, Kiranmala learns that her parents have vanished. A demon is destroying her home, and two princes appear at her door, claiming they have come to save her. Kiranmala is thrust into a magical realm where she must solve riddles, fight demons, find her parents, and save the world.

‘Charmed Life’ by Diana Wynne Jones

A classic in fantasy literature that predates “Harry Potter,” the “Chrestomanci” series, launched in 1977, revolves around two siblings, Cat and Gwendolen. Always living in Gwendolen’s more talented shadow, Cat finds their lives changed when they are invited to reside in Chrestomanci Castle. Faced with the castle’s witches who refuse to admire Gwendolen’s abilities, she concocts a plan that turns their world upside down.

‘Akarnae’ by Lynette Noni

This young adult fantasy story features Alex, a sixteen-year-old who is about to start a new school but unexpectedly steps into the magical realm of Medora. Excited to join this extraordinary society, Alex enrolls at Akarnae Academy, a boarding school for gifted teens. However, after a series of ominous events, it becomes clear that a serious threat looms. Only Alex has the power to save the Medorans, but it may come at the cost of the home she’s left behind.