Skip to the main content
PeabodyMake a free story

Books by genre

Top 11 magic school books for kids

Magic schools combine a coming-of-age story with spells. Harry Potter set the pattern, but there are many other choices, from gentle to dark. The list is sorted loosely from younger to older readers.

Titles were chosen from award winners, ALSC notable lists and long-running library favorites, then each title and author was checked against Open Library in Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.

  1. The Worst Witch

    Jill Murphy · Ages 6-9

    Mildred Hubble is a clumsy witch at a strict school. A short, funny early chapter book.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    J. K. Rowling · Ages 8-12

    The book that set the standard for school-and-magic stories.

    Watch for: Later books are darker.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  3. Charmed Life

    Diana Wynne Jones · Ages 9-13

    Orphans Cat and Gwendolen move to the home of an enchanter. A funny, clever story and the start of Chrestomanci.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  4. The Wizards of Once

    Cressida Cowell · Ages 7-11

    A wizard boy and a warrior girl in an ancient British forest. Humorous with illustrations.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  5. The Iron Trial

    Holly Black and Cassandra Clare · Ages 10-14

    Magisterium book 1: Callum is sent to a magic school underground. Often compared to Harry Potter.

    Watch for: Dark themes.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  6. The School for Good and Evil

    Soman Chainani · Ages 9-13

    Two girls are kidnapped to a school for fairy-tale heroes and villains.

    Watch for: Some violence.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  7. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

    Jessica Townsend · Ages 9-13

    A cursed girl joins a magical society.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  8. Tuesdays at the Castle

    Jessica Day George · Ages 8-12

    A princess lives in a castle that adds rooms by itself.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  9. Akata Witch

    Nnedi Okorafor · Ages 11-15

    Sunny, an albino girl in Nigeria, learns she has magic. Strong West African setting.

    Watch for: Some violence and dark themes.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  10. A Wizard of Earthsea

    Ursula K. Le Guin · Ages 11-15

    Ged goes to a school for wizards and makes a mistake.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  11. Amari and the Night Brothers

    B. B. Alston · Ages 9-13

    Amari joins a secret bureau that polices the supernatural.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

More lists

All 348 lists →