Series Read Alikes
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Creator: Karen Eis and Rachel Bussan
(We own all of these books)
DB/RC57232
Author: Paolini, Christopher
Title: Eragon
Series: Inheritance
Annotation: Fifteen-year-old Eragon bonds with the baby dragon, Saphira, that hatches from a mysterious blue stone. They train in magic and martial arts and, refusing to serve the evil king, sally forth to encounter warriors, dwarves, and others battling the empire. Some violence. For grades 6-9. 2003. Followed by "Eldest."
BR13276, LT7052, DB/RC44343
Author: Pullman, Phillip
Title: The Golden Compass
Series: His Dark Materials
Annotation: A tale set in Victorian England on an alternate Earth. Young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon enjoy an idyllic life among the scholars at JordanCollege. Then her friend Roger and other children are abducted by the Gobblers. Venturing north in pursuit, Lyra encounters an alien and sinister world. For junior and senior high readers. The author is opposed to organized religion and this fantasy series reflects his beliefs.
DB/RC 57988
Author: Nix, Garth
Title: Mister Monday
Series: Keys to the Kingdom
Annotation: While Arthur Penhaligon lies dying from an asthma attack on his first day in a new school, evil Mister Monday gives him a special key that not only helps Arthur recover but also unleashes many strange happenings. Followed by "Grim Tuesday." For grades 5-8. 2003.
RC44682
Author: Nix, Garth
Title: Sabriel
Series: Sabriel
Annotation: Sabriel was sent to school outside the Old Kingdom for her safety. Now in her last year of study, she receives her father's necromancy tools, indicating that he is dead. Determined to find his body, Sabriel reenters the Old Kingdom and confronts the evil forces of life and death. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers. Followed by "Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr." 1996.
DB/RC58011
Author: Stroud, Jonathan
Title: The Amulet of Samarkand
Series: The Bartimaeus Trilogy
Annotation: Seeking revenge, twelve-year-old apprentice magician Nathaniel calls up the djinni Bartimaeus, a demon, to steal an amulet from a powerful minister. But the theft has unforeseen consequences, and the sarcastic djinni has his own agenda. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.
BR13430, RC52289
Author: Colfer, Eoin
Title: Artemis Fowl
Series: Artemis Fowl
Annotation: Twelve-year-old mastermind Artemis plans to restore his family fortune by obtaining some of the fairies' gold. The first step involves blackmailing an alcoholic fairy to photograph her "Book," containing her race's secrets but written in an ancient tongue. Some violence. For grades 5-8. Bestseller. 2001. Followed by "Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident."
RC14555
Author: Jones, Diana Wynne
Title: Charmed Life
Series: Chrestomanci
Annotation: Being the brother of a witch becomes increasingly dangerous for Cat as his sister, rebelling against their mysterious guardian, seeks forbidden powers. For grades 4-7. Followed by "The Lives of Christopher Chant."
BR13419, RC45567, LT3114
Author: Cooper, Susan
Title: OverSea, Under Stone
Series: The Dark is Rising
Annotation: The three Drew children find a crumbling old map which may lead to an ancient treasure linked with King Arthur and possessing strength more powerful than life itself. For grades 6-9. Followed by "The Dark is Rising." 1966.
DB/RC58326
Author: Bass, L. G.
Title: Sign of the Qin
Series: Outlaws of Moonshadow Marsh
Annotation: Chinese Prince Zong is born with a mark identifying him as the Starlord who will save his people from his father's oppressive regime. Rejoicing, the gods send Monkey and the Tattooed Monk to guard the boy against the evil Lord of the Dead. For grades 6-9. Only one title in the projected trilogy has been published.
RC26846
Author: Duane, Diane
Title: So You Want to Be a Wizard?
Series: Young Wizards Series
Annotation: Thirteen-year-old Nita finds a book on wizardry in the library. She soon discovers that it has magical properties. While practicing her spells, she meets Kit, another aspiring wizard, and the two call up Fred, a mischievous white hole. The three embark on a dangerous mission to retrieve the "Book of Night with Moon," which holds the key to the light and goodness of the universe. For grades 5-8. 1983. Followed by "Deep Wizardry."
BR7742, LT1785, DB/RC25315
Author: Le Guin, Ursula K.
Title: A Wizard of Earthsea
Series: Earthsea
Annotation: An intricate fantasy about Sparrowhawk, a talented but arrogant student of wizardry. On a rival's dare, Sparrowhawk summons up a shadowy, evil spirit who threatens both the boy's life and the entire world of Earthsea. For grades 6-9. 1986. Followed by "The Tombs of Atuan."
DB/RC63198
Author: Sage, Angie
Title: Magyk
Series: Septimus Heap
Annotation: The night his seventh son is born -- dead, according to the midwife -- Silas Heap brings home a newborn baby girl, Jenna. She turns out to be a princess in need of protection as villains and wizards abound in this magyk-filled adventure. And is the son, Septimus, really dead? For grades 4-7. 2005. Followed by "Flyte."
DB/RC59154
Author: Nimmo, Jenny
Title: Midnight for Charlie Bone
Series: Children of the Red King
Annotation: Ten-year-old Charlie's relatives discover that he has magical talents inherited from their ancestor the Red King. They send Charlie to the Bloor's Academy, where he makes new friends and solves a mystery. But a wicked branch of the family uses its powers unwisely. For grades 5-8.
DB/RC63443
Author: Riordan, Rick
Title: The Lightning Thief
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Annotation: Upstate New York, 2005. Sixth-grader Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon and a mortal mother, attends a summer camp for demigods. After Percy angers Zeus, his friends Grover, a satyr, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, join him to resolve the problem. For grades 5-8. 2005. Followed by "The Sea of Monsters."
BR15453, RC25013
Author: Alexander, Lloyd
Title: The Book of Three
Series: Prydain Chronicles
Annotation: Inspired by ancient Welsh legends, this first of five fantasies tells of the mythical land of Prydain and assistant pig-keeper Taran who fights with Prince Gwydion against evil threatening the kingdom. Followed by "The Black Cauldron." For grades 5-8.
BR14997, DB/RC57116
Author: Funke, Cornelia
Title: Inkheart
Series: Inkworld
Annotation: Twelve-year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mo, a bookbinder. She discovered a terrible secret: nine years ago when Mo read aloud from a book the characters appeared in real life while her mother disappeared into the story. Mo's magic causes still more problems to solve. For grades 5-8. 2003. Followed by "Inkspell."
RC25892
Author: Jones, Diana Wynne
Title: Howl’s MovingCastle
Series: Ingary
Annotation: As the eldest of three daughters, Sophie Hatter knows that, according to fairy-tale convention, she's expected to fail first and worst when she sets out to seek her fortune. When the Ingarian countryside is threatened by both the moving castle of Wizard Howl and the schemes of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds a kind of courage and determination she's never known before. For grades 6-9. Followed by "Castle in the Air." 1986.
(Modified by Rachel Bussan on 11/17/2010)