After Harry.

Is it just me, or is this list of recommendations somewhat uninspired?

I think we can probably do better than that.  For one thing, the HP fanbase is so broad that it depends on who we're recommending books to -- and for another, people like the books for different reasons.

So, as a start:  I most definitely agree about Diana Wynne Jones -- the Chrestomanci stories and Howl's Moving Castle for the younger HP fans, of course, Dark Lord for those who have read enough fantasy to recognize the affectionate jabs at the genre and for those who are looking for a large cast of likable characters, The Merlin Conspiracy for those who enjoyed the politics of HP, Fire and Hemlock for older teens (and adults -- heck, it took me a few reads before I got it) who'd appreciate a good Tam Lin story.

...

Oh, sorry.  Got distracted -- I just checked DWJ's website (I was blanking on the title of The Merlin Conspiracy) and noticed this blurb:

HOWL'S COMING BACK – Fans of Howl will be delighted to know that Diana is working on a new book which will include a guest appearance by the popular magician.

Ooooo!

Sorry, busy dancing around about that -- you'll have to come up with more post-Harry suggestions.

Comments

[Monica Edinger]

I think it is tricky suggesting books for those Harry Potter readers who otherwise don't read much fantasy. I love Diana Wynne Jones, but find that she is appreciated more by those who really like fantasy beyond Harry, for some reason. (Of course, I work with 4th graders so perhaps this is different with older readers.) I think also she's complex is a different way from Rowling. A writer that I do think is a good follow-up for those who like Harry Potter, but not other kinds of fantasy --- the Percy Jackson books.

Oh, and Howl also shows up in The Castle in the Air.

[Leila]

Yeah, that's what I meant about the fanbase being so broad and the plethora of different reasons for liking the series. I've had a lot of younger HP fans who've liked the Charlie Bone books, too. (Though I reached the OVER IT point with those at about Book Three.)

Oh, I know all about Castle in the Air -- it was one that I finished, figured out who everyone was, and immediately read again.

[Shrieky]

That has to be the most boring list I've ever seen. It's not that those books aren't good because the ones I've read are, it's just that so many people only started reading because of Harry Potter and quite a few of those people only ever read Harry Potter. It doesn't seem as if anyone on that list considered that some people are just unwilling to try anything new. It takes something more than your average list to get people like that to go for something else.

[Kate]

I agree re. Howl's Moving Castle (which I just reread last week--another Howl book? WOO!!!). I also think the Edward Eager books (Half Magic, Magic by the Lake, The Time Garden, etc.) are a great fit for younger HP readers. I loved those when I was a kid and was happy to see that they've been re-released.

[jessmonster]

The worst thing about the article was how half-hearted all the recommendations were "I've not read the books," "I suppose I'd recommend," "Nothing immediately springs to mind." Come on, have some guts with your recommendations!

Also, I didn't realize that A Wrinkle in Time wasn't as big in the UK as it is here - and Meg Rosoff's recommendation makes me like her even more.

[heather-lee]

Wow. A pretty lame list. I would think that the Dark is Rising series would be a good recommendation for young HP fans, and it is certainly getting press with that movie coming out (man do I not approve of Will Stanton kissing girls.) I would think that the Earthsea books would be another great place to look.

After a little time and space (and the re-reading of select passages) I am at peace with HP, and don't think I will stay up at night aching for more.

Howl, however, is one wizard that I don't think I will ever have enough of. I certainly didn't feel like I got enough of him in Castle in the Air...though I also finished and immediately re-read. I am *such* a sucker.

[TadMack]

Another Howl?! Just must say "Yaaay!" That made my day.

[TadMack]

And yes -- the lists of 'life after Harry' are a bit vague when there is so much else out there, so many other school stories, etc. Why didn't they ask LIBRARIANS~?

[Elisabeth]

... Huckleberry Finn? Okayyyy, then. As well as DWJ, I also push Diane Duane's Young Wizards series to Harry Potter fans. (Because seriously, no way is Voldemort as cool as the Lone Power.)

The prospect of a new DWJ with Howl in it fills me with SO much glee!

[Julie Carter]

Percy Jackson, Septimus Heap, Bartimaeus, Diane Duane's Young Wizards, Garth Nix. That's where I'd point people, not at Mark Freaking Twain.

[danielle]

Definitely Garth Nix, but also Patricia McKillip (especially the RiddleMaster of Hed trilogy) and Robin McKinley (especially The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown). And Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles AND his Westmark trilogy. And how young are we talking? Too young for Pullman's His Dark Materials?