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Quick answer: If you loved Diana Wynne Jones, read her Charmed Life and Fire and Hemlock, then Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men, Neil Gaiman's Coraline, Edward Eager's Half Magic and E. Nesbit's Five Children and It. All are witty, unpredictable fantasies where magic is messy and children think for themselves.
Diana Wynne Jones (1934-2011) wrote more than forty books, including Howl's Moving Castle, Charmed Life and Fire and Hemlock, known for their wit, twisting plots and families who are never quite what they seem. The books below offer similar funny, clever fantasy for children and adults, from classic authors to modern favourites.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charmed Life | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 9-13 | the Chrestomanci start |
| The Lives of Christopher Chant | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 9-13 | Chrestomanci prequel |
| Fire and Hemlock | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 12+ | fairy-tale romance |
| Archer's Goon | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 9-13 | family and wizards |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 10+ | witty magic |
| The Wee Free Men | Terry Pratchett | Ages 10+ | Discworld for kids |
| Coraline | Neil Gaiman | Ages 8-12 | children's horror |
| Half Magic | Edward Eager | Ages 8-12 | wish-granting coin |
| Five Children and It | E. Nesbit | Ages 8-12 | wish-granting creature |
| Dealing with Dragons | Patricia C. Wrede | Ages 10+ | princess and dragons |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Ages 11+ | thoughtful wizard school |
| The Hero and the Crown | Robin McKinley | Ages 12+ | dragon slayer |
| Which Witch? | Eva Ibbotson | Ages 8-12 | witches' contest |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | Ages 9-13 | fairy-tale heroine |
| The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper | Ages 10-14 | old magic |
1. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
Cat and his sister Gwendolen, a young witch, are taken to live with the powerful Chrestomanci. Funny and sharp.
Best for: the Chrestomanci start.
2. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
A boy discovers he can travel between worlds. Imaginative and witty.
Best for: Chrestomanci prequel.
3. Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones
A girl finds that her memories have been changed. Complex and haunting.
Best for: fairy-tale romance.
4. Archer's Goon by Diana Wynne Jones
A boy's family is bullied by an enormous goon. Funny and strange.
Best for: family and wizards.
5. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
A young woman cursed to old age meets the wizard Howl. Funny and original.
Best for: witty magic.
6. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
A young witch faces the Queen of the Fairies with help from tiny blue men. Funny and wise.
Best for: Discworld for kids.
7. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A girl finds a door to a sinister mirror world. Short, creepy and brilliant.
Best for: children's horror.
8. Half Magic by Edward Eager
Children find a coin that grants half of any wish. Funny and clever.
Best for: wish-granting coin.
9. Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Children find a sand-fairy who grants a wish a day. Witty and charming.
Best for: wish-granting creature.
10. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
A princess runs away to be a dragon's housekeeper. Funny and clever.
Best for: princess and dragons.
11. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard unleashes a shadow he must face. Short and wise.
Best for: thoughtful wizard school.
12. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
A princess becomes a dragon-slaying hero. A classic fantasy with a strong heroine.
Best for: dragon slayer.
13. Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson
A wizard seeks a bride from a group of witches. Warm and funny.
Best for: witches' contest.
14. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A girl cursed with obedience fights to be free. Funny and charming.
Best for: fairy-tale heroine.
15. The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
A boy discovers he is the last of the Old Ones. Atmospheric and mythic.
Best for: old magic.
How to Choose
For more Jones start with Charmed Life or Fire and Hemlock. For witty children's fantasy choose The Wee Free Men, Half Magic or Five Children and It. For quest stories pick Dealing with Dragons or The Hero and the Crown. For spooky tales read Coraline. For something calmer try A Wizard of Earthsea. Jones's books often reward rereading, so keep them on your shelf. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett both named Diana Wynne Jones as an influence, and Hayao Miyazaki adapted Howl's Moving Castle into an acclaimed animated film, which has led many readers to her original books. Jones's books are good for readers of all ages, so they make fine family read-alouds. If you enjoy her humour, Pratchett's Discworld for younger readers is a natural step. If you enjoy her time-tangled plots, Fire and Hemlock rewards rereading. Libraries often keep her novels together.
Related: 15 Books Like Daisy Jones and the Six You’ll Love: Music, Fame and Complicated Love · Printable List of Jigsaw Jones Books
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Diana Wynne Jones?
A British author of children's fantasy who died in 2011.
Where should I start?
With Howl's Moving Castle or Charmed Life.
What are the Chrestomanci books?
A series of novels about a powerful enchanter who keeps magic in order.
Are her books for children or adults?
They are written for young readers but loved by adults.
Is Howl's Moving Castle different from the film?
Yes, the book has a different plot and tone.
Are her books connected?
Some are, but many stand alone.
How many books did she write?
More than forty.
What should I read next?
Try Charmed Life or The Wee Free Men.
What order should I read the Chrestomanci books?
Charmed Life was first published, though the series can be read in any order.
Is Howl's Moving Castle part of a series?
Yes, followed by Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways.