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 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.