7 magic school series to buy young readers that aren't 'Harry Potter'
With the holiday season approaching, what books would make the ideal gifts for the voracious young readers in your life?
An evergreen answer used to be the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. However, given Rowling's increased anti-trans rhetoric, it's more than understandable if you want to distance yourself from her and avoid giving her financial support. Don't worry, though: If you're looking for a great magic school series that'll satisfy fantasy lovers and impart solid coming-of-age stories, we've got seven wonderful options for you.
From middle-grade fiction to YA novels, here, in no particular order, are seven magic school series any budding fantasy fan will enjoy.
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1. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
We can't talk about great magic school books without bringing up Ursula K. Le Guin's masterful A Wizard of Earthsea. The first novel in the Earthsea cycle, A Wizard of Earthsea introduces readers to young mage Ged, who's training at a school for wizards on the Island of Roke.
While A Wizard of Earthsea and the rest of the series don't actually spend that much time at school, what time we do get on Roke is nothing short of magical. Plus, it all serves as a wonderful stepping stone from which to explore the rest of the world of Earthsea, as well as the intriguing magic system Le Guin builds. She's a titan of sci-fi and fantasy for a reason, and the Earthsea cycle is a great starting point for young readers looking for authors to obsess over for their entire lives.
2. The Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik
What if Hogwarts was actually in an extradimensional void, had no teachers or supervising adults whatsoever, and was full of monsters trying to eat every student? Then you'd get the Scholomance trilogy.
Author Naomi Novik rewrites the rules of magic school books in this award-winning series, which follows young sorceress Galadriel "El" Higgins. Not only is El trying to survive the bloodthirsty monsters who stalk the halls of the Scholomance, she's also trying to avert a dark destiny. She's prophesied to destroy the world of magic users as we know it, so no pressure! El's voice is deliciously snarky and blunt, and Novik uses the Scholomance and its magical resources as a vehicle through which to explore the effects of classism. Thought-provoking and singular in tone, the Scholomance series is worth a read for any fantasy fan. Be warned, though: These get dark, so this trilogy is more for older readers.
3. The Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn
Fans of Arthurian legend will devour Tracy Deonn's Legendborn, a novel that brings swords and sorcery to a residential program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of the program's attendees is Bree Matthews, a Black high schooler who stumbles upon UNC's "Legendborn." It's a predominantly white secret society made up of the descendants of King Arthur and his knights. Somehow, Bree is linked to them.
As Bree uncovers her place within Arthurian legend, she realizes she has far more power than she initially thought. The result is an empowering coming-of-age tale, one that doesn't skimp on adventure, but that also takes time to examine heady topics like intergenerational trauma. Between its clever twists on familiar myths, fascinating magic system, and thoughtful handling of weighty subject matter, Legendborn is a modern fantasy must-read. While the time Bree actually spends in her program is primarily limited to Legendborn itself, the other novels in the Legendborn cycle are equally worth the read.
4. The School for Good and Evil Series by Soman Chainani
Fairy tales get a twist in Soman Chainani's The School for Good and Evil, about a school that trains the next generations of villains and heroes. When best friends Sophie and Agatha are chosen to attend the school, they feel there's been a mixup. Princess-like Sophie winds up in the School for Evil, while the witchier Agatha gets sent to the School for Good. Surely there's been a mistake, right? What follows is a coming-of-age tale about holding fast to your friends, defying people's expectations, and coming into your own.
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5. The Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce is one of the greatest writers of fantasy for younger audiences out there, so it stands to reason that her take on the magic school subgenre would be an excellent one. That take is the Circle of Magic quartet, about four mages learning to hone their powers at the Winding Circle Temple. Each of the four come from wildly different backgrounds, and each has a different magical specialty, creating a wide-ranging cast of characters that everyone can fall in love with.
If you're looking for even more of Pierce's take on fantasy schools, you've got several options. Her Song of the Lioness series follows aspiring knight Alanna as she goes through rigorous knight training, while Tempests and Slaughter (a prequel to the Immortals quartet) introduces the young mage Arram during his time at the Imperial University of Carthak. Basically, when it comes to Pierce and fantasy, you can't go wrong.
6. The Children of the Red King Series by Jenny Nimmo
Of all the entries on this list, Jenny Nimmo's Children of the Red King series is the closest you can get to Harry Potter without actually being Harry Potter. It, too, follows a boy with an unhappy family life who learns that he has magic powers and gets to go to a magic school. In Children of the Red King's case, the boy is Charlie Bone, and the school is Bloor's Academy, attended by the magically gifted descendants of the legendary Red King. As Charlie gets accustomed to the world of Bloor's, he'll make fast friends, discover devastating family secrets, and embark on dazzling adventures. Yes, the Harry Potter similarities are glaring, but take it from someone who obsessed over these books as a kid: They're a blast in their own right.
7. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
I know, I know, this is more of a magic camp series than a magic school series. But Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians deserves an eternal shoutout. After all, The Lightning Thief turned 20 years old in 2025, yet it remains as beloved as ever. And for good reason!
These tales of demi-gods and daring quests are near-magical reading experiences, bringing the world of Greek mythology into our everyday lives and turning kids into heroes. Riordan originally created the character of Percy Jackson for his son, who has ADHD and dyslexia. In the world of the series, these learning disabilities are hallmarks of demi-gods, allowing people with ADHD and dyslexia to see themselves in these heroes. Since then, Riordan has only continued to broaden the perspectives represented in his novels, with follow-up series highlighting characters from diverse backgrounds and LGBTQ characters. With epic adventure and an author who works to be more inclusive, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is perfect for young fantasy lovers.
Topics Books Harry Potter JK Rowling
Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Television Critics Association, as well as a Tomatometer-approved critic.
