Who Will Be the Next Harry Potter?
Surely many sub-par copycats will attempt to steal Harry’s thunder, and the market is likely already flooded with child wizards who have tried to ride the coattails of Harry Potter’s fame and success. Only a few young adult fantasy and adventure novel series released during the Harry Potter craze have thus far managed to avoid falling into the mediocre category and have risen above the piles of dreck to become increasingly popular.
One such series is the Spiderwick Chronicles, by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series of five books detailing the lives of the three Spiderwick children who discover a world of mystical creatures in the woods beyond their backyard. Another popular series is written by Christopher Paolini, and tells the story of a young boy named Eragon, and his pet dragon. And of course the Lemony Snicket books are eagerly snatched up as well.
Each of these series of books are superbly written and uniquely different, full of wonder and magic and exciting adventure. They are also visibly different from Harry Potter novels, which is perhaps why they have garnered the attention that they have. After all, who wants to read about another boy wizard while Harry Potter is still fresh on the market?
But children and those with a taste for fantastical adventure and wondrous magic will need to turn somewhere once all of Harry’s secrets have been exposed and his tale is over.
Could Artemis Fowl and his strangely fantastic world be next in line to claim the throne Harry will soon vacate? The Artemis Fowl books certainly have a heavy dose of magic, monsters, and mayhem, and talks of a film have been circulating for some time, which may put Artemis Fowl firmly in the limelight. The Artemis Fowl books, by Eoin Coffer, are certainly worthy contenders, but the only drawback I can see is that they have been around during much of the Harry Potter fanaticism, and overshadowed by Harry’s fame. Still, perhaps they will be discovered by a fresh crop once Harry’s fans go searching for another exciting world to explore.
Or perhaps a new hero will emerge, beginning his reign subtly and quietly, as Harry did, until his popularity explodes almost overnight. But that brings another question to mind. When this newcomer has adequately and capably filled the shoes of the world’s favorite boy wizard, when he has garnered the respect and admiration of fans all over the world, will anyone then remember Harry Potter?
