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Quick answer: If you liked The School for Good and Evil, try The Land of Stories, Nevermoor, A Tale Dark & Grimm, Ella Enchanted, Princess Academy and Charlie Bone. They combine fairy tales, schools and big choices.
Soman Chainani's 2013 novel follows Sophie and Agatha, best friends who are taken to a school for fairy-tale heroes and villains, but end up in the wrong ones. It is a fast, funny twist on fairy tales. Readers who finish it want more magical schools and twisted fairy tales. These 15 books suit ages 8 to 13.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell | Chris Colfer | 8-12 | fairy-tale fans |
| Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow | Jessica Townsend | 9-13 | readers who like magic schools |
| A Tale Dark & Grimm | Adam Gidwitz | 8-12 | brave readers |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | 9-13 | younger readers |
| Princess Academy | Shannon Hale | 9-13 | readers who like fairy tales |
| Midnight for Charlie Bone | Jenny Nimmo | 8-12 | readers who like school mysteries |
| The Wizards of Once | Cressida Cowell | 8-12 | readers who like humor |
| Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger | 9-13 | readers who want a series |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | 8-13 | readers who want the classic |
| Fablehaven | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | fantasy fans |
| The Candy Shop War | Brandon Mull | 9-13 | readers who like adventure |
| The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | 9-13 | puzzle fans |
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | 9-13 | readers who like lyrical fantasy |
| Amari and the Night Brothers | B.B. Alston | 9-13 | readers who like secret worlds |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | readers who like myth |
1. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a fairy-tale world and meet Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and more. Funny and fast.
Best for: fairy-tale fans.
2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan escapes a curse and joins the Wundrous Society. Quick and fun.
Best for: readers who like magic schools.
3. A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Hansel and Gretel continue their story through other Grimm tales. Witty and gory.
Best for: brave readers.
4. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella is cursed to obey any order. A funny Cinderella retelling.
Best for: younger readers.
5. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Miri goes to a school for girls who might marry the prince. Gentle and clever.
Best for: readers who like fairy tales.
6. Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Charlie hears voices from photographs and attends a gothic school. Spooky and fun.
Best for: readers who like school mysteries.
7. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
Wish and Xar, a witch girl and a wizard boy, face a world where magic fades. Funny and illustrated.
Best for: readers who like humor.
8. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie learns she is an elf with telepathic powers. A big series.
Best for: readers who want a series.
9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry learns he is a wizard. The model for magic school stories.
Best for: readers who want the classic.
10. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth discover a sanctuary for magical creatures. Many creatures and secrets.
Best for: fantasy fans.
11. The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
Kids discover a magical candy shop and its secrets. Fun and fast.
Best for: readers who like adventure.
12. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four gifted kids go on a secret mission. Puzzles and teamwork.
Best for: puzzle fans.
13. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A witch accidentally feeds a baby moonlight. A gentle fairy tale.
Best for: readers who like lyrical fantasy.
14. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Amari discovers a Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Fast and fresh.
Best for: readers who like secret worlds.
15. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is a demigod. Funny and fast.
Best for: readers who like myth.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with The School: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For fairy-tale twists, start with The Land of Stories or A Tale Dark & Grimm. For schools, read Nevermoor or Princess Academy. For a long series, choose Keeper of the Lost Cities. A simple plan is to read one school book, one fairy-tale twist and one adventure each month. The School for Good and Evil has some scary scenes, so younger kids may want to wait. A cozy plan is to read the first book aloud, then ask your child which school they would pick, Good or Evil. For a similar magic-school series, add Nevermoor and Charlie Bone to the library list.
Related: 15 Books Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder You’ll Love: Teen Mysteries and Twisty Thrillers · What Age Is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The School for Good and Evil for?
It is recommended for ages 9 to 13.
Is there a movie?
Yes. A 2022 Netflix film adapted the first book.
How many books are in the series?
Six main books plus companion titles.
Is it dark?
It has fairy-tale peril and some violence but a funny tone.
Is it okay for 8-year-olds?
Some of the scenes are scary, so many parents wait until 9 or 10.
What should I read after the series?
The Land of Stories is a popular next step.