Oct 12, 2026, 5:37 PM#Books question:
My brother (in Berlin) is reading his daughter into the Potter-verse.
Ugh.
I want to propose an alternative. It should be something that is as magnetic as the Potter books (and if you don't get or agree with that, please refrain) but without contributing to a trans-hating horror's media empire. I want something that can out-compete Rowling in the contest for an 8 yr old US/Polish/German girl's heart.
Oct 12, 2026, 5:48 PMNotes:
- Riordan was tried and did not click.
- There are many lists posted but all the ones I've found are for adults or young adults moving away from Potter. I'm looking for an alternative for a very early reader reading with the help of their parent.
- We are seeing my brother's family in late December.
@ohmu My pick is the Upside-Down Magic series. It's about fifth graders with magical disabilities at a public school and it seems to really grab 6-8 year olds. E.g., the protagonist of the first book is a "fluxer" who can turn into animals, but she always mixes them together and turns into things like a katingo (kitten-flamingo). Lots of fun with a good heart.
@ohmu Percy Jackson series is good or the worst witch if they want a similar vibe but without the nastiness of being associated with Rowling
Seconding The Worst Witch
Also try Howls Moving Castle - there are two sequels -
Susan Cooper’s books?
It depends a lot on what is attractive in HP. Magic and change, or something dressed as those that turns out to fit into mass production really well?
Oct 12, 2026, 6:14 PM@clew
I think more the latter.
A young girl heroine is probably important. As is reasonably contemporary context. Good suggestions!
Oh and - Ursula Vernon’s two series for children; Dragonbreath and Hamster Princess. Goofy fantasy settings, modern sensibility, easy language, and Hamster especially was printed in delightful sparkly illustrated physical volumes.
@ohmu I’m surprised that the Young Wizards series from Diane Duane hasn’t been suggested. It is a little forward of an 8yo though - more like 12yo to me, but manageable if being read with a parent I feel. There are also two great side books that she has that are about cat wizards. https://www.dianeduane.com/the-young-wizards-series/
Watching this thread closely but also going to make a list from my kid's bookshelf later.
Oct 12, 2026, 10:30 PM@IrrationalMethod
Much appreciated.
I'm warmed by the response. I have some ideas, now. I can dispatch the evil without so much as a single curse.
@ohmu
Finding good stories for 8 year olds isn't easy! My spouse has been working very hard at digging up books of interest to our kid. Not all magic/wizards but adjacent.
Ursula K LeGuin's Cat Wings series
The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el (and sequel)
Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland (there's a graphic novel adaptation as well as the original books)
Dragon Masters series by Tracey West
Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Katheryn Lasky
Oct 12, 2026, 10:56 PM@IrrationalMethod
Wings of Fire is in the lead by number of mentions so far.
I had not heard of Cat Wings before this!
@ohmu Unfortunately, nothing really comes to mind for a very early readers, but if parents are reading aloud, I have a few suggestions.
When I was around that age, I _loved_ "The Enchanted Forest Chronicles" by Patricia Wrede, but the writing may be a little more advanced. The subject matter is relatable to a wide variety of ages and perfect if parents are reading aloud.
You might also look into the Redwall series by Brian Jacques if she's into anthropomorphized animals. The books are all connected, but they all tell standalone legendary stories and are excellent for that age.