It seems to be common knowledge these days that Harry Potter is the end-all, be-all of contemporary children’s literature. Now that the seventh book has been published, the series has come to a close, and children the world over are finishing the book and realizing that there will be no more future tales of the hero to whom they’ve grown so attached, people will be scrambling for the next great children’s series. Who will write it? When will it come out? This article will tell you that these great series have in fact already been written and are sitting patiently on the shelf of the nearest library or bookstore, waiting for the next child (or child at heart) to pick them up and take them home.
#1: The Spiderwick Chronicles, by Holly Black
Although aimed at early readers, the Spiderwick Chronicles are all of the best things about children’s literature in one six book series. Recently turned into a motion picture opening in theatres in February of 2008, the Spiderwick Chronicles tells the story of a young boy who moves into an old house with his mother, brother and sister (both older) after the death of his father. He discovers secret rooms, a world invisible to the naked eye, and a war waged among the realms of Faerie.
Holly Black makes fairy tales believable both to child and adult, and this is where the magic of her stories lies. Black herself seems so well-acquainted with the mystical and whimsical that readers are drawn into her stories quickly and completely. Although the complete text of the Spiderwick Chronicles, as a series, is smaller than a single book in the Harry Potter series, there is just as much depth, passion, and intrigue as the entire series. Often overlooked, these books are great for young readers, older readers with learning disabilities, and people of all ages genuinely interested in myth. Fans of Black’s work can move onto her novels for teens when they’re ready-Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside are all just as excellent as the original children’s series.
#2: The His Dark Materials Trilogy, by Phillip Pullman
Comprised of The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass (the three books go by different names in the United Kingdom, which Pullman calls home), the His Dark Materials trilogy is a series of books about Lyra, a young girl who realizes that the world is far more complicated than she ever could have imagined. Children will love these books for their lyrical prose, plucky heroine, and the amazing characters emerging from all walks of life throughout Pullman’s novels. Adults will love these books because they address complicated philosophical issues in a way that manages to clearly display the innocence of children, who can tell you who the villains are without hesitation while the adults squirm uneasily, trying to answer the same question. Pullman’s writing is honest, bold, and doesn’t hold anything back-if you begin reading these books, keep in mind, while you’re becoming engrossed in the first volume, that the other two books are far better, and you’ve a lot to look forward to with this series.
Following recent trends in children’s literature, The Golden Compass will soon be released in theatres as a major motion picture, starring Nicole Kidman, among others. If you’re worried about what to do when these three books are finished (and you should-they are quick reads, despite their seemingly cumbersome size), fret not: Phillip Pullman is a delightfully prolific author, and his other works are equally grand, although completely different.
This delightful Irish series about Artemis Fowl, a young genius with questionable social skills and personal ethics, has everything needed to win over the hearts of children and adults alike. The series is awash in intrigue, as Artemis and his bodyguard find themselves thrown into a world of fairies, danger and adventure, as the fairies and young Artemis team up time and again to defeat various forces (sometimes one another), and an honest look at the black and white areas of morality, along with all the grey areas in between.
There are currently five books in the series. While Artemis tours the world on one adventure after another, readers have a rare opportunity to learn about geography and the workings of many of the world’s less publicized organizations. Throughout the course of the novels, Artemis travels from his native Ireland to England, Russia, Chicago, and many other places. Colfer employs a sardonic and dry wit reminiscent of Terry Pratchett on one of his subtler days.
#4: The Underworld Chronicles, by Suzanne Collins
This series, about Gregor, a boy growing up in Manhattan as his family has fallen upon hard times, is very much like a modern-day American male version of Alice in Wonderland, but perhaps with more depth and slightly less whimsy. Falling through a vent in the laundry room of his apartment building, Gregor finds himself (with his little sister Boots) in a new world that exists underneath ours. Here, cockroaches and rats are the same size as humans, people regularly ride bats, and the underworld is immersed in war. The book deals with the characters personally and deeply, and we learn that with great power comes great responsibility. A story, first and foremost, about bravery, the Underworld Chronicles show that the effects of war are long lasting and far-reaching.
There are five books in the series: Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of Secret, and the newly released Gregor and the Code of Claw. While the easy writing style makes this story accessible to most children, the depth of the storytelling gives this set high re-readability.
Here’s the series that everyone’s been waiting for-a children’s series about air pirates! Paul Stewart weaves a brilliant tale (complete with stunning illustrations) about a young boy and the man that he would one day become. The stories deal with piracy, impossible quests, war, bravery, heroes, and disaster, as the characters careen closer and closer to the Edge of the World and even beyond. Stewart doesn’t shy away from the gore associated with brutality and cruelty, and describes (albeit tactfully) what has become of those trapped in the more unfortunate positions. This should not deter readers-this honesty, in fact, is integral to informing readers of the significance of mortality and perserverence.
There are currently ten books in the Edgeworld series. The first four deal with the same central characters, and the remainder deal with an alternative set of characters no less interesting than the original set.
Despite the end of the Harry Potter series, there is still countless reading available for children and youthful adults. Happy reading!
