Magic School Books Top Ten

Yes, Harry Potter popularized the sub-genre, and I’d be lying if I told you it wasn’t the trigger book for me and my kids, but there is a lot more out there both before and after HP. In the last few years my daughter and I have taken a deep dive into Magic School books. We particularly have looked for books that feature diverse characters, especially BIPOC folk and girls. We’ve hit gold over and over again. I would love to find more books in this genre that feature queer and gender non conforming main characters, but on our list we do have some sweet queer families included. Comment to let me know books we should check out in our search! Let’s take a look at our favorites so far.

10. Earthsea (Ursula K. Leguin, 1968-2001)

My dad gave me the first two books in this series when I was around 10 years old. I think it took me a few years to get around to them. Eventually though as a young teenager I read the whole series (well what was out at the time! The last two books came out around the time I moved to Charlotte.) I surely have nostalgia for this series. It led the way for me into fantasy along with Lord of the Rings and the Dragon Bone Chair. It was later I realized The Wizard of Earthsea led the way for many of the writers on this list into the world of wizards and magic schools.

What is special about this series for me, though, came in book 5, Tehanu, which was published in 1990. Tehanu is only the second fantasy book (Thank you for Meg, Madeleine Le’Engle) I remember reading that featured a female protagonist. Tehanu’s story is aching and powerful and I couldn’t leave Leguin off this list for Tehanu’s sake even with Ged and the island of Roke and all that.

9. Supernatural Investigators (BB Alston, 2021-2024)

This was the first book after Harry Potter I read in this genre. My friends, Racquel and Prince, recommended the first book, Amari and the Night Brothers and this book started me on this Magic School train! I was so stoked to see the black female protagonist, Amari, and the storytelling totally holds up. I love the family bonds in this book and seeing how characters develop over time. Book four just came out in this series and there is to be one more book to wrap things up.

8. Onyeka (Tola Okagwu, 2022-2024)

This is a three book series beginning with Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun. This book stood out for being set mostly in Nigeria and because Onyeka, the main character’s, magical powers are connected to her fabulous hair! So fun and mysterious too. This is also a complete trilogy!!

7. The Conjurverse (Dhonielle Clayton, 2022-2025)

I love this series! Maybe it should move up a little in the list, but they are all so good! In the first book, The Marvellers, you meet the protagonist, Ella, a powerful girl from New Orleans. She practices conjure magik, a form of magic discriminated against in some of the magical world. I love the setting in these books and the ties to cultural practices in the South. Three books are out in the series with a fourth due this fall. The cast of characters are diverse, including a simply woven in non binary supporting character. I’m so grateful for another book with a black girl protagonist!

6. Vanya Vallen Adventures (Sangu Mandanna, 2025)

The first book in this series is Vanya and the Wild Hunt. I love Vanya for her quirkiness and her ability to talk to books! Cool magic! She is neurodivergent and British-Indian. Auramere, the magic school she eventually attends, is in South India. The relationship and complexities between Vanya and her mother pulled me right in to the story! I love the library setting in Auramere and the queer couple, Jasper and Roman, who become Vanya’s foster parents when she is away at school.

5. Greenwild (Pari Thomson, 2023-2026)

This three book trilogy from Pari Thomson began in 2023 and the final book came out this year. Our friends Nancy and Huxley, told us about this book, and we love reading with our people! I loved that the magic in this series is tied to the earth and considers contemporary issues in conservation. Also there were some lovely settings described especially in books two and three. I adore the ship community led by a baby wearing captain and a theater troupe. That is really the best part for me! The hotel in book three is also a scientific community and cultural hub. What?! I want to go there. I am not 100% in love with the ending just yet after the first read, but you know what at least she wrote one! Noteably this series weaves in some wonderful queer and gender nonbinary supporting characters.

4. Nic Blake and the Remarkables (Angie Thomas, 2023-2025)

When I saw Angie Thomas (The Hate You Give, 2017 ) had a YA Lit fantasy book, I was on that right away! And Nic Blake was everything I wanted it to be. As expected Angie Thomas doesn’t miss any punches. This story is both magical adventure and hitting up with real history and Black experience. I love that Nic is homeschooled by her dad. I wish that homeschooling had included teaching her magic. Sigh. Still read this one!

3. Circle of Magic (Tamora Pierce, 1997-1999)

After going through all the newer titles on this list I began circling ;) back to older magic school books. I love Tamora Pierce for her Alanna series, but had not read the Circle of Magic. These books did something special and being pre-HP, the author isn’t having to work so hard to get around the tropes. In the original quartet (there are more books beyond this) there is one book for each main character: Sandry, Tris, Daja and Briar. They eventually live in a house with two of their mentors. The story arc is original and the world has a cozy, found-family feel.

2. Nsbidi Scripts (Nnedi Okorafor, 2011-2022)

This is a trilogy including Akata Witch, Akata Warrior and Akata Woman. I adore these books so much and want everyone to read them! You can read my full book review here. The main character, Sunny, learns to wield her magic with her friends and from her mentors in a deconstructed version of school that sings self-directed education! Beyond that Akata Witch has wonderful characters and the magical community feels fresh. Please read it for yourself!

1. The Scholomance (Naomi Novik, 2020-2022)

Here we are at my very favorite magic school book. While not for the youngest readers in many households (the romance gets a little steamy in book 2, but it is very very well done teenage romance. So I will easily let my 11 year old read it when she asks to complete the series anytime now.), this trilogy is also on my top five series ever (Akata Witch is there, too! Hey!) The first book is A Deadly Education and sets up the world of the school. The later books give you more insight into the rest of the world. The school is a character of itself! The protagonist, El, is so sarcastic and salty that I quickly LOVED her. Her mom. Oh my goddess. Basically me. And the end of book 1 is… hahaha! I can’t wait for you to read if you haven’t! The end of the series, though, well that was really really good. My lips are sealed but, Novik is masterful. All those details along the way really mattered. The characters are so good. The romance is the best teen romance arc I remember reading. This is dark academia at its best.

Honorable Mentions:

Wildseed Witch (Marti Dumas, 2022-2024)

An all BIPOC cast! YouTuber witchling! Fun books!

Young Wizards (Diane Duane, 1983-2016)

Classic here! And so many books!

Witchlings (Claribel Ortega, 2022-2205)

Honestly this will likely bump something (what?!!) from my top ten, I just haven’t finished it yet.

So what’s on your favorite list!? Let me know!

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