Are There Other Young Witch Chapter Books Like Heidi Heckelbeck?

What about the 'Cobble Street Cousins' series by Cynthia Rylant? It's about three cousins living with their aunt and starting their own small businesses, like a cookie company or a newspaper. It's gentle, cozy, and focuses on friendship, family, and small creative projects. There's no magic, but it has that same heartfelt, low-drama, everyday adventure feeling. The writing is beautiful and the characters are kind. It's perfect for a reader who loves the relatable, domestic side of Heidi's life—the relationships with her brother and parents, and her efforts to navigate her world. It's a quieter recommendation, but sometimes that's exactly what a kid needs.

I feel like a lot of these recs are for girls. If we're talking about the vibe for any kid, 'Dragon Masters' by Tracey West is the king of this category. It's a full-on magic school (for dragon trainers) written at an early reader level, with a diverse cast, cool adventures, and black-and-white illustrations. It's Scholastic Branches, same as a lot of Heidi books, so the reading difficulty is identical. 'Notebook of Doom' is another series where the protagonist discovers his town is full of monsters, and he has to deal with it while handling school stuff. 'Owl Diaries' has a cute, chatty animal school setting with lots of colorful art and simple plots. No real magic, but the world is whimsical. 'Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot' is sci-fi, not magic, but the scale of the secret friend and the school-life overlap feels similarly epic to a kid. 'Hilo' by Judd Winick is a graphic novel series about a robot boy falling to Earth—huge magic/sci-fi adventure, but the human friend's school and family life are central to the story.

Look at the 'Rise of the Earth Dragon' by Tracey West, which is the first 'Dragon Masters' book. I'm mentioning it again because it's such a common and successful recommendation for this exact transition. The reason it works so well is the combination of a coveted topic (dragons), a clear team dynamic (each kid has a different dragon), and a clear villain/problem in each book. It introduces a slightly more serialized plot than Heidi, where elements carry over from book to book, which prepares them for even longer series. It's the training wheels for epic fantasy.

Heidi Heckelbeck's secret is one of those delightful little mysteries that makes her character so relatable and fun to follow. In the books, she's just a regular kid—well, mostly. The twist is that she’s actually a witch, but she keeps it hidden because she wants to fit in at school and avoid drawing too much attention. It’s not about malice or hiding something 'bad'; it’s more about the awkwardness of being different. I love how the series explores her struggles with balancing her magical side and her desire to be normal. It’s a metaphor for any kid who’s ever felt like they don’t quite belong, whether it’s because of a unique talent, family situation, or just personal quirks. What’s really charming is how Heidi’s secret isn’t just for plot convenience—it shapes her relationships. Her best friend, Lucy, doesn’t know at first, and the tension between honesty and fear of rejection feels so real. The books do a great job of showing how secrets can be heavy, even when they’re 'fun' ones like magic. Heidi’s occasional slip-ups or close calls add this layer of gentle suspense, making you root for her to find a way to be herself without losing her friends. It’s a sweet, low-stakes way to talk about identity and acceptance, wrapped up in whimsical storytelling.

I always suggest 'Bink & Gollie' as a next step. It’s technically a trio of books, not a long series, but it’s exceptional. The reading level is similar, but the vocabulary is brilliantly playful. It’s about the friendship between a tall, pragmatic girl and a short, whimsical one. Their adventures are small-scale, funny, and deeply heartfelt. The themes of compromise, imagination, and unwavering friendship are timeless. The illustrations are integral to the story, much like in Heidi.

Oh, 'Happy Birthday, Little Witch' is such a charming book! If you enjoyed its whimsical, heartwarming vibe, you might adore 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' by Eiko Kadono. It’s got that same blend of magic and everyday life, with a young witch navigating her independence in a cozy town. The illustrations are delightful, and the story feels like a warm hug. Another gem is 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' by Kelly Barnhill—it’s a bit more layered but still has that enchanting, fairy-tale quality with a kindhearted witch at its core. For something shorter but equally magical, 'Witchlings' by Claribel A. Ortega is a recent favorite of mine. It’s got friendship, quirky spells, and a trio of young witches proving themselves. The tone is playful yet heartfelt, perfect for fans of lighter witchy tales. And if you’re open to graphic novels, 'Mooncakes' by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu is adorable—featuring a soft witch, a nonbinary werewolf, and loads of cozy magic. It’s the kind of story that leaves you grinning.

If you loved the dark, whimsical vibe of 'The Spell Book of a Wicked Witch,' you might enjoy diving into 'The Witch's Book of Shadows' by Phyllis Curott. It’s packed with practical magic but has that same edge of mischief and rebellion. The way it blends folklore with modern witchcraft feels fresh yet timeless—like you’re uncovering secrets meant only for the daring. Another gem is 'To Ride a Silver Broomstick' by Silver RavenWolf. While it’s more beginner-friendly, the tone is delightfully sassy, and the spells have that same 'wicked' flair. I especially love how RavenWolf doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of craft, making it feel like a real grimoire rather than a sanitized guide. For something more narrative-driven, 'The Year of the Witching' by Alexis Henderson is a fantastic novel with lush, eerie prose and a protagonist who wrestles with morally ambiguous magic—perfect for fans of atmospheric, witchy tales.

Heidi Heckelbeck's secret in the first book is such a relatable struggle! At her core, she's just a kid who wants to fit in while also embracing who she truly is—a witch in training. The fear of being judged or treated differently by her classmates, especially after facing a bully like Melanie, makes her hesitant to reveal her magic. What really struck me was how the book captures that universal childhood tension between wanting to be special and fearing rejection. Heidi’s magic isn’t just about spells; it’s a metaphor for any kid’s hidden talents or quirks. The way she slowly gains confidence to use her abilities (like that hilarious potion mishap!) feels so authentic. By the end, you’re rooting for her to own her uniqueness—but the journey there is messy and human, which is why I adore this series.

If you loved 'Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret' for its blend of everyday kid struggles with a magical twist, you’ll definitely enjoy 'The Worst Witch' series by Jill Murphy. Mildred Hubble’s mishaps at witch school are hilarious and heartwarming, just like Heidi’s secret witchy adventures. Another great pick is 'The Princess in Black' by Shannon Hale—it’s got that same mix of ordinary life (a princess!) and secret heroics (monster-fighting!). For something a little more modern, 'Elena the Electric Elephant' by Jane Clarke is super fun—Elena hides her electrical powers while navigating school drama. And don’t overlook 'Zoey and Sassafras' by Asia Citro; it’s got science-y magic and adorable animals, perfect for kids who like problem-solving with a sprinkle of fantasy. Honestly, these books all capture that 'secret double life' vibe Heidi does so well!

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about books similar to 'The Near Witch' is that eerie, atmospheric quality Victoria Schwab is so good at. If you loved the small-town folklore vibe and the creeping sense of mystery, you might enjoy 'The Raven Boys' by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s got that same blend of supernatural whispers and deeply rooted local legends, though it leans more into psychic phenomena and ancient magic. Another great pick is 'The Darkest Part of the Forest' by Holly Black—it’s got that eerie fairy-tale feel with a modern twist, and the sibling dynamics add a whole other layer of heart. For something with a darker, more historical edge, 'The Weight of Feathers' by Anna-Marie McLemore is gorgeous. It’s a quieter, more lyrical story, but the tension between two rival families and the magic threaded through their lives reminded me a lot of 'The Near Witch'. And if you’re into the idea of witches but want something with a bit more action, 'Serpent & Dove' by Shelby Mahurin is a fun romp with enemies-to-lovers and witch hunters galore. Honestly, half the joy is just hunting down books that give you that same shiver down your spine.