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Quick answer: If you loved Equal Rites, read Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad and A Hat Full of Sky, then Ella Enchanted, The Hero and the Crown, Dealing with Dragons and A Wizard of Earthsea. All are funny, clever fantasies about girls who push against the rules of magic.
Terry Pratchett's 1987 Discworld novel follows Eskarina, a girl accidentally given a wizard's staff on the day she is born, and the witch Granny Weatherwax, who helps her, in a world where only boys can be wizards. It is warm, funny and wise. The books below offer more witch stories and fantasies about girls finding their power.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyrd Sisters | Terry Pratchett | Adult | witches meet Macbeth |
| Witches Abroad | Terry Pratchett | Adult | witches on tour |
| A Hat Full of Sky | Terry Pratchett | Ages 10+ | young witch story |
| The Wee Free Men | Terry Pratchett | Ages 10+ | Discworld for kids |
| Guards! Guards! | Terry Pratchett | Adult | Watch start |
| Mort | Terry Pratchett | Adult | Death's apprentice |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | Ages 9-13 | fairy-tale heroine |
| The Hero and the Crown | Robin McKinley | Ages 12+ | dragon slayer |
| Dealing with Dragons | Patricia C. Wrede | Ages 10+ | princess and dragons |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Ages 11+ | thoughtful wizard school |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 10+ | witty magic |
| Matilda | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | clever child |
| Circe | Madeline Miller | Adult | witch of the Odyssey |
| The Witches | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | wicked witches |
| Good Omens | Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman | Adult | comic fantasy |
1. Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
Three witches protect a kingdom and stage a play. Funny and sharp.
Best for: witches meet Macbeth.
2. Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
Three witches travel to stop a fairy godmother. Funny and warm.
Best for: witches on tour.
3. A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
Tiffany Aching trains to be a witch. Clever, funny and kind.
Best for: young witch story.
4. 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.
5. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
A secret society summons a dragon. Funny and warm.
Best for: Watch start.
6. Mort by Terry Pratchett
Death takes on an apprentice. Funny and warm.
Best for: Death's apprentice.
7. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A girl cursed with obedience fights to be free. Funny and charming.
Best for: fairy-tale heroine.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Matilda by Roald Dahl
A brilliant girl uses her wits against awful adults. Funny, dark and beloved.
Best for: clever child.
13. Circe by Madeline Miller
The goddess Circe tells her story from exile to power. Lush and thoughtful.
Best for: witch of the Odyssey.
14. The Witches by Roald Dahl
A boy is turned into a mouse by witches. Funny and spooky.
Best for: wicked witches.
15. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
An angel and a demon try to prevent the apocalypse. Witty and warm.
Best for: comic fantasy.
How to Choose
For more witches read Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad or A Hat Full of Sky. For younger readers choose The Wee Free Men, Matilda or The Witches. For girls with swords pick The Hero and the Crown or Dealing with Dragons. For quiet wisdom try A Wizard of Earthsea. Equal Rites is a gentle start to the Witches sub-series, so these picks suit readers who enjoy humour with heart. Equal Rites is the third Discworld novel and the first to introduce Granny Weatherwax, who becomes one of Pratchett's best-loved characters. It is short and easy to read as a first Discworld. Pratchett's witches are a good entry to the Discworld because each book is a separate story. If you like the humour, audiobooks narrated by Celia Imrie and Stephen Briggs are widely loved. If you prefer a different tone, the younger Tiffany Aching books are a good next step.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Equal Rites about?
A girl is accidentally given a wizard's staff, though only men can be wizards on the Discworld.
Who wrote it?
Terry Pratchett.
When was it published?
1987.
Is it a good first Discworld book?
Yes, it stands alone and is short.
Who is Granny Weatherwax?
The stern, brilliant witch who helps Eskarina.
Is it a feminist book?
Yes, in a gentle and comic way.
Is it for children?
It is written for adults but suits teens.
What should I read next?
Try Wyrd Sisters or Witches Abroad.
Is Equal Rites for kids?
It is a funny book that many teens enjoy, though it is published for adults.
Do I need to read the earlier Discworld books?
No.
Which book here is best for Discworld for kids?
Try The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, which suits readers looking for Discworld for kids.