Books Like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Donna Tartt

Like Chamber of Secrets, it begins with a crime and works backwards through a close-knit group in an elite institution. Its slow unfolding of guilt and secrets rewards the same attentive reader who enjoyed Harry's investigation.

Ellen Raskin

A puzzle-driven story set among a group of mismatched people, where clues must be pieced together. It shares Chamber of Secrets' pleasure in sharp clues and a lively cast of young characters.

Neil Gaiman

A young heroine explores a familiar place that turns sinister, much as Hogwarts becomes frightening. Its creeping unease and clever suspense echo the book's darker middle chapters.

Lev Grossman

It follows students at a hidden school of magic, with the same sense of learning spells while uncovering a world beneath the ordinary one. Its scenes of magical education suit fans of Hogwarts lessons.

Nnedi Okorafor

A gifted outsider discovers a hidden magical community and must learn its rules. Like Harry, the heroine finds that belonging to a magical world brings both wonder and danger.

Kelly Barnhill

A young protagonist with unusual magic and a tight-knit cast of allies uncovers an old secret. Its warm, fairy-tale tone and sense of ancient enchantment will appeal to readers who loved Dumbledore's world.

Jeanne Birdsall

A gentle, funny family story with sibling adventures and a summer full of small mischief. It offers the same warm humour and affection for its characters that makes Chamber of Secrets so comfortable to read.

Roald Dahl

A clever child faces cruel adults and discovers a hidden talent. Its sharp wit and unfair grown-ups echo the Dursleys' world, and its brisk pace suits fans of Harry's school stories.

Trenton Lee Stewart

Four gifted children solve puzzles and uncover a hidden plot. Its clever riddles, bright humour and sense of secret missions make it a natural next step for lovers of Harry's adventures.

J.R.R. Tolkien

A reluctant hero sets out on a quest into dangerous territory, with humour and a rich sense of an older world. Readers who loved Harry's adventures will enjoy its similar blend of charm and peril.

Ursula K. Le Guin

A young wizard learns the true cost of magic at a school of wizardry. Its thoughtful approach to power and mistakes gives Chamber of Secrets' themes a more reflective companion.

Neil Gaiman

A boy raised among the dead learns to live between two worlds, with eerie charm and gentle humour. It offers the same mix of wonder and menace that makes Harry's school years memorable.