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Quick answer: If you loved Inkheart, read Cornelia Funke's Inkspell and Dragon Rider, then The Neverending Story, Coraline, The Thief Lord and Peter Pan. All are fantasy stories about books, imagination and magic worlds.
Cornelia Funke's 2003 novel follows Meggie, whose father Mo can bring characters out of books by reading aloud, and the villain Capricorn who wants to use that power. It is a love letter to reading. The books below offer similar tales of books that come alive and adventures in imaginary worlds.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkspell | Cornelia Funke | Ages 10-14 | the sequel |
| Inkdeath | Cornelia Funke | Ages 10-14 | the finale |
| Dragon Rider | Cornelia Funke | 8–12 | journey stories |
| The Thief Lord | Cornelia Funke | Ages 10-14 | Venice adventure |
| The Neverending Story | Michael Ende | Teen/Adult | readers who love books |
| Coraline | Neil Gaiman | Ages 8-12 | children's horror |
| The Graveyard Book | Neil Gaiman | Ages 10+ | raised by ghosts |
| Stardust | Neil Gaiman | Adult | fairy-tale romance |
| Peter Pan | J.M. Barrie | 8 and up | flying adventure |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | first Narnia book |
| Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll | 7 and up | nonsense and wit |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | myth adventures |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | 8–12 | school fantasy |
| The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern | Adult | enchanting settings |
| The Phantom Tollbooth | Norton Juster | 8–12 | wordplay |
1. Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Meggie and her family enter the world of the book. Rich and adventurous.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
The trilogy ends with a battle for the Inkworld. Dark and satisfying.
Best for: the finale.
3. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
A dragon and his friends search for a hidden valley. Gentle and imaginative.
Best for: journey stories.
4. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Orphans in Venice join a boy who steals. Atmospheric and adventurous.
Best for: Venice adventure.
5. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
Bastian reads a book that pulls him into the world of Fantastica. A magical story about stories.
Best for: readers who love books.
6. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A girl finds a door to a sinister mirror world. Short, creepy and brilliant.
Best for: children's horror.
7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
A boy is raised by the inhabitants of a graveyard. Eerie and tender.
Best for: raised by ghosts.
8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
A young man crosses a wall to find a fallen star. Witty and charming.
Best for: fairy-tale romance.
9. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
A boy who never grows up takes the Darling children to Neverland. Magical and sad.
Best for: flying adventure.
10. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Four siblings find a land of winter through a wardrobe. The most famous Narnia book.
Best for: first Narnia book.
11. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice follows a rabbit down a hole into a world of nonsense. Witty and strange.
Best for: nonsense and wit.
12. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is a demigod. Funny and fast.
Best for: myth adventures.
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
An orphan discovers he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts. The model for modern fantasy.
Best for: school fantasy.
14. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Two magicians are bound in a contest in a circus that appears at night. Lush and atmospheric.
Best for: enchanting settings.
15. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
A bored boy drives through a tollbooth into a kingdom of words and numbers. A classic full of puns.
Best for: wordplay.
How to Choose
For the series read Inkspell and Inkdeath. For more Funke choose Dragon Rider or The Thief Lord. For stories about stories pick The Neverending Story or The Phantom Tollbooth. For dark fairy tales read Coraline or The Graveyard Book. Inkheart is a book about loving books, so these picks suit bookworms. Inkheart was made into a film in 2008 with Brendan Fraser, and Funke wrote it in German. The books are a good choice for family reading aloud, fitting the book's theme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Inkheart about?
A girl whose father can bring book characters to life.
Who wrote it?
Cornelia Funke.
When was it published?
2003 in German, 2003 in English translation.
Is it a trilogy?
Yes, with Inkspell and Inkdeath.
What age is it for?
Roughly ages 10 to 14.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 2008 film with Brendan Fraser.
Is it scary?
It has some dark moments.
What should I read next?
Try Inkspell or The Neverending Story.
Which book here is best for Venice adventure?
Try The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, which suits readers looking for Venice adventure.
Which book here is best for raised by ghosts?
Try The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which suits readers looking for raised by ghosts.
Which book here is best for first Narnia book?
Try The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, which suits readers looking for first Narnia book.
Which book here is best for school fantasy?
Try Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, which suits readers looking for school fantasy.
Which book here is best for the finale?
Try Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke, which suits readers looking for the finale.