Pre-Harry Potter: Great Young Adult Reading for Adults

1. The Dark is Rising Series, by Susan Cooper; “Over Sea, Under Stone”, 1965

In this first novel in the series, the three Drew children: 11-year-old Jane, 8-year-old Barney and 12-year-old Simon travel to Cornwall to stay at the home of their great uncle Merry. There, they realize that he is more than he appears, and actually may be linked to ancient Cornwall, the land of King Arthur. Following clues on an old treasure map, they soon find themselves in the middle of a battle between ancient forces of Dark and Light. Throughout Cooper’s series, children, both magical and ordinary, are the heroes and heroines. Other books, in order, are: “The Dark is Rising”; “Greenwitch”; “The Grey King”; and “Silver on the Tree”.

2. Abhorsen Trilogy, by Garth Nix; “Sabriel”, 1995

This fantasy novel is set in two neighboring countries, divided by a Wall: Ancelstierre, similar to the contemporary world and the Old Kingdom, where magic abounds. 18-year-old heroine Sabriel attends a boarding school in Ancelstierre but comes from the other side of the Wall; she is the daughter of Abhorsen, a sorcerer whose duty is to return to Death those magical beings that have either escaped it through their own evil will, or have been raised through that of others. When Sabriel’s father disappears, she must take up the bells of Abhorsen, and embark on an adventure to save him (and, it turns out, both of the worlds that she loves). Along the way, Sabriel is accompanied by a feisty cat, Mogget, who is a much more powerful spirit than she realizes and meets a prince who at first is a nuisance but eventually becomes a love interest. The other books in the trilogy involve Sabriel and her lineage, and take place primarily in the Old Kingdom. These are: “Lirael” and “Abhorsen”.

3. Tamora Pierce, The Song of the Lioness quintet; “Alanna: The First Adventure”, 1983

Set in the land of Tortall, in “Alanna”, 11-year-old Alanna, a noble-born girl pretends to be her twin brother in order to be accepted in training as one of the King’s Guard. Meanwhile, proficient at magic, her brother goes to a temple to become a mage. Excelling at her studies and possessing some useful magic skills, Alanna proves herself again and again, eventually befriending the prince of her native land, and becoming indispensable to her country. Other books in the series follow Alanna’s path – including the revelation of her identity; and her importance in the future of Tortall. These include “In The Hand of the Goddess”; “The Woman Who Rides Like a Man”; and “Lioness Rampant.”

4. Tamora Pierce ,The Immortals Quintet; “Wild Magic”, 1992

In “Wild Magic”, Daine is a 13-year-old orphan with an extraordinary ability with animals—she can speak to them, heal them, and eventually shape-shift into one herself. Daine has always felt like an outsider; however when a Temple Mage, Numair, discovers her and her “wild” talent, Daine learns that she actually has a rare and powerful gift. He teaches Daine to control her magic; along the way, Daine also learns about her parentage, and why she has this talent. Other books in this series include “Wolf Speaker;” “Emperor Mage”, and “The Realms of the Gods”


Commentary: In a post-“Harry Potter” world, it is easy to recognize that is not only children who love young adult adventure and fantasy novels. These are three of the best writers of stories for young adults whose work can be loved by readers of all ages. While the story-lines revolve around children or teenagers (in Pierce’s, the children sometimes do grow up), the stories themselves are epic fantasy adventures – and incredibly fun to read as their heroes and heroines, some imbued with magical powers, other ordinary young adults but with special gifts, fight in battles, discover that they possess certain talents, and travel through magical other-worlds. I’ve left off this list the Golden Compass Trilogy by Philip Pullman as there’s a religious aspect in it that I feel doesn’t apply as well to this theme. Of these three novelists, Nix’s work is the most compelling, and Pierce’s is the lightest (literally and physically), although still very enjoyable.