Still stalking the post for your Hogwarts acceptance letter? Don't worry. I get it. There's something about this time of year that makes me crave the goodness that is the Harry Potter series: Moody, gray skies, comfy scarves, falling leaves, lots of candles and twinkly fairy lights, you get the idea. So how about grabbing a book based on your Hogwarts House? Check out the list below for recommendations for every witch, wizard, and badger (Sorry Hufflepuffs, couldn't resist). If you don't know your Hogwarts House, take the official quiz on Pottermore!
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set
Gryffindors apart
...
Courage, bravery, determination
The Bee Maker by Mobi Warren
The year is 2036. Honeybees are
almost extinct. Melissa’s parents are divorced. Her mother is off on
archaeological digs while her father is studying honeybees and searching for
the last remaining hives to rescue. Melissa tries to cope with her distant
parents and her epilepsy by folding hundreds of origami honeybees. When her
origami opens up a time portal, Melissa finds herself in Ancient Crete trying
to save a young boy and the world’s honeybees.
The Gryffindor Appeal: Gryffindors will find plenty of
adventure with this mix of time travel, mythology, dire consequences, origami, and
even a few marathons.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by
Jen Wang
Prince Sebastian of Belgium is in
France searching for a wife. Or rather his parents are searching for the
perfect bride so Sebastian can carry on the family line. At a ball in his
honor, a dress catches the prince’s eye. Sebastian offers the creator, a young
girl named Frances, to work as his personal seamstress, making romantic and
gorgeous dresses for him to wear at night as Lady Crystallia. Frances and
Sebastian become close friends but as Lady Crystallia’s popularity soars, it
becomes harder for Frances to keep Sebastian’s double life a secret.
The Gryffindor Appeal: Every Gryffindor knows the bravest thing you can do in
this world is be yourself.
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
On the night of the Autumnal Equinox, Ben’s town gathers to float paper
lanterns down the river. Legend has it that the lanterns will meet the Milky Way and turn into stars. This year, Ben and his
friends decide they are going to follow the river until they
discover the truth of where the lanterns land. Despite their pact, Ben’s
friends leave him one by one (One leaves because it’s taco night at home. Can you blame him?) and Ben finds himself stuck with the nerdy outcast, Nathaniel. As Ben and Nathaniel continue to follow the
lanterns, they discover a wonderfully weird adventure full of gentlemanly bears,
homemade Rice Krispie treats, potions, flying fish, and dogs that can walk on
water.
The Gryffindor Appeal: There’s a pact with two rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.
What Gryffindor doesn’t love a quest with a pact? While the fantastical quest makes the book a page turner, the real draw is the
unexpected friendship between Ben and Nathaniel.
The Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher
12-year-old Oliver is a mage. A
very minor, inexperienced mage. He knows only three spells, and one is to help
control his allergy to armadillo dander (Did I mention that Oliver’s familiar
is a snarky armadillo? Let that sink in for a bit). Yet Oliver is his village’s
only hope to bring back the rains to the drought-riddled town. And so begins
Oliver’s journey that teaches him about magic, friendship, monsters, ghosts, and
pigs.
The Gryffindor Appeal: The Minor is Mage is a quick read (it's a novella),
ensuring plenty of time for Gryffindors to have real-life adventures in addition
to those on the page. Plus, Oliver is a fun blend of Ronald Weasley and Neville
Longbottom.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid
of toil
...
Trust, loyalty, patience
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Once a year in the Protectorate
there is a Day of Sacrifice. A newborn baby is taken to the nearby forest and
left as an offering to the evil witch. The problem? Unbeknownst to the people
of the Protectorate, the witch in the forest is kind and compassionate. She rescues
the abandoned babies, feeds them starlight for nourishment, and finds them
loving homes on the other side of the forest. One year the witch accidentally
feeds a baby girl moonlight instead of starlight, thus filling her with
extraordinary magic. As the girl grows up, she must learn how to use her
magical powers and discover the real witch terrorizing the
Protectorate.
The Hufflepuff Appeal: A young girl brimming with moon
magic, an elderly witch, a poetry loving swamp monster, and a perfectly tiny
dragon somehow form a family. Hufflepuffs will adore the love shared
between them.
The Hufflepuff Appeal: Song for a Whale is a
heartfelt, touching read – perfect for Hufflepuffs that feel deeply and want an
emotional connection to their books. In addition, the dedication and love
shared between Iris and her grandmother makes this book a true gem.
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
Nova is an astronomy nerd, counting down the days until the space shuttle Challenger lifts off and takes the first teacher into space. Nova and her big sister Bridget plan on watching the launch together. Nova likes how her new school has a planetarium. She thinks her new foster family is nice. But Bridget has disappeared. And even though Nova knows that she is smart, that she can read and write, everyone around her dismisses her as autistic and nonverbal. How can Nova share what she feels inside? And will Bridget make it home in time for the Challenger launch?
The Hufflepuff Appeal: Nova’s rich, imaginative world and strength make her an unforgettable character. The beautiful bond between sisters and Nova’s journey will tug at the heartstrings of Hufflepuff readers.
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Iris is a whiz at fixing
electronics, especially antique radios. While she feels at home among the
world of wires and vacuum tubes, school is different story. Iris is deaf and
struggles to communicate with those around her. When she learns of a whale with
a similar challenge during science class, Blue 55, Iris makes it her mission to
let him know that someone understands him. She decides to create a song just
for him. The problem? Iris is in Texas and Blue 55 is swimming off the coast of
Alaska, some 3,000 miles away.
Nova is an astronomy nerd, counting down the days until the space shuttle Challenger lifts off and takes the first teacher into space. Nova and her big sister Bridget plan on watching the launch together. Nova likes how her new school has a planetarium. She thinks her new foster family is nice. But Bridget has disappeared. And even though Nova knows that she is smart, that she can read and write, everyone around her dismisses her as autistic and nonverbal. How can Nova share what she feels inside? And will Bridget make it home in time for the Challenger launch?
The Hufflepuff Appeal: Nova’s rich, imaginative world and strength make her an unforgettable character. The beautiful bond between sisters and Nova’s journey will tug at the heartstrings of Hufflepuff readers.
Strange Birds: A Field Guide to
Ruffling Feathers
by Celia C. Perez
When Lane moves from London to
Florida to stay with her wealthy grandmother she isn’t quite sure how to make
friends. After scattering invitations around the library to form a new club, Lane meets three very different girls: the avid birdwatcher and
environmentalist Cat; the aspiring journalist Ofelia; and the accomplished young
chef Aster. The girls couldn’t be more different and tensions are high when
they first meet; however, a hat full of bird feathers leads the girls towards
friendship and activism.
The Hufflepuff Appeal: Sassy, tender, and diverse, the book’s overarching
message about acceptance and friendship makes it the perfect read for
Hufflepuffs. The club handbook and the numerous details about bird watching are
treats for quirky badgers.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw
If
you’ve a ready mind
Where those of wit and learning
Will always find their kind
...
Cleverness, wisdom, creativity
The True History of Lyndie B.
Hawkins by Gail Shepard
History buff Lyndie can tell you
anything about the Civil War. Go ahead, ask her about the gruesome diseases
that soldiers endured. When it comes to her own life, however, Lyndie needs to
do some more research. Why is her dad different after coming home from Vietnam?
Why does her mom stay in her bedroom with headaches? Why is her grandma trying
to turn her into a proper Southern belle? When Lyndie starts to discover the
answers and some family secrets, she must choose between loyalty and saving her
family or a new friend.
The Ravenclaw Appeal: A creative blend of history, mystery, and southern charm. Ravenclaws will not only be
delighted by Lyndie, but also by Miss Dooley – the librarian that assists
Lyndie with all her historical research. Using books and microfiche. That’s
right Ravenclaws, no quick and easy Google searches in this book.
Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa
Jenn Bigelow
Hazel’s life is pretty quiet; she
lives on a goat farm with her two moms, reads old science encyclopedias for
fun, and takes care of her dogs. Things change though when Hazel is forced to
go to a new school, without her best and only friend, because of school rezoning.
Things get even more complicated when one of Hazel’s moms becomes pregnant
after suffering two previous miscarriages; Hazel has to learn what it means to
be a big sister. Thinking hibernating until
high school is the only solution, Hazel meets two outspoken friends that make
her complicated journey a little easier.
The Ravenclaw Appeal: This book explores some sensitive topics such as
grief, sexuality, identity, and disabilities, but Ravenclaws ready to ponder
these will find Hazel’s story to be realistic and empowering.
The Book Wanderers by Anna James
Tilly has lived with her grandparents,
the owners of Pages & Co. Bookshop, since her mother disappeared shortly
after she was born. While she may not have many real friends, she has plenty of
fictional ones in Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland, A Little Princess,
and Treasure Island. When Tilly starts to see Anne and Alice in the bookshop
and she’s able to travel with them into their books, Tilly learns of her family’s
secret ability to bookwander. Tilly must be careful with her newfound ability,
however, especially when she starts to investigate the real reason her mother
disappeared.
The Ravenclaw Appeal: It’s a celebration of books. Anne Shirley and Alice from
Wonderland feel true to form. Ravenclaws that have always fantasized about
being able to jump into the pages of their favorite novel will be jealous of
Tilly’s ability. Plus, this novel promises to be the first in a
series of book traveling adventures.
Saving Wonder by Mary Knight After
losing his parents and brother to coal mining accidents, Curley lives with his Papaw
in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Papaw gives Curley new words from the
dictionary to learn and use each week, and the two share a love of nature and
their mountain-top town. When the town’s coal mining company changes hands,
Curley discovers the new owners intend to destroy his mountain home through
Appalachian surface mining. Relying on the words his Papaw taught him and his
friends, Curley launches a fight for the town he loves.
The Ravenclaw Appeal: Ravenclaws will not
only appreciate learning a plethora of new words, dictionary entries for Curley’s
weekly words are featured at the end of each chapter, but will love the message
that words have power to change the world.
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You’ll make
your real friends
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends
...
Ambition, leadership,
resourcefulness
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Civil War has consumed the
United States and the March sisters; the four girls worry about their father
who is serving as a chaplain for the Union. Beautiful Meg is the oldest and supports
her impoverished family. Amy is the youngest, spoiled but artistic. Beth, often
shy and sickly, has a particular talent for the piano. And then there’s Jo: a
stubborn tomboy with dreams of becoming an author. As the girls
grow into adults they discover the challenges and joys of sisterhood.
The Slytherin Appeal: If you think listing Little Women
as a Slytherin book is a grievous mistake, fear not! Slytherins will find much
in common with Jo: her wicked smarts, ambition, and penchant for leading her
sisters into some good and not-so-good schemes. Jo's desire to become a famous author causes her to spend many nights in the March attic furiously scribbling away. Sounds like a Slytherin!
Nightbooks by J.A. White
Alex keeps what he
calls nightbooks: several notebooks filled to the brim with scary nightmares
and creepy stories. One night Alex determines that he needs to destroy his
creations, it’s hard to fit in when you’re always writing scary stories, and he
sneaks out of his apartment to the basement furnace to do the job. When a
detour goes terribly wrong, Alex finds himself captured by a witch and forced
to tell her a new scary story each night to keep her happy. Alex enjoys finally
having a captive audience for his grisly tales, but he also knows he must plan
his escape if he doesn’t want to be trapped forever.
The Slytherin Appeal: It’s an eerie mix of the
Grimm’s Fairytales, Goosebumps, and Neil Gaiman. Slytherins will appreciate the
suspense and spooky twists.
The Bone Garden by Heather Kassner
Irreelle is made of bone dust and
the imagination of Miss Vesper – a fact that Miss Vesper and Irreelle’s
crooked, mismatched bones never let her forget. The moment Ireelle displeases
her, Miss Vesper will imagine her away. And so Ireellee dutifully follows what
she is told to do and gathers bone dust from the cemetery. When Irreelle makes an
unforgivable mistake and is chased into the tunnels below the cemetery, she
begins to uncover the dark truths of Miss Vesper and what it means to really be human.
The Slytherin Appeal: The haunting writing style and the cruelness of Miss Vesper will give Slytherin
readers the chills. Slytherin fans of Coraline will be unable to put the dark tale
down.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
Orphans Molly and Kip find
themselves at the Windsor Estate, a mysterious manor built around a hideous
tree, to gain employment and survive the Irish Potato Famine. Immediately, the
siblings notice there something sinister about the manor. Nightmares, locked rooms, sickness, a nighttime visitor, and a shocking family portrait
have taken an evil hold on the Windsors. Molly and Kip must find the source of
the darkness, and be strong enough to resist it, in order to escape.
The Slytherin Appeal: A creepy manor house? Check. Orphans?
Check. A tree that wants your soul? Check. The bone-chilling feeling you get
after reading an Edgar Allan Poe story? Check. This book has everything a
horror-loving Slytherin could want.
