Harry Potter, the world's most addictive children's adventure series, has come to a close. So, what can you read next?

This article is a catalog of my favorite series that I would recommend to Harry Potter fans. I picked these books because I thought they could grab anyone's interest, my own inability to put them down, and because their writers are prolific--many of them are still writing. Also, these books don't contain too much romance. I'm constantly amazed by the bad romance slapped into adventure and science fiction, stuff that tries to cover up weak plot or is out of step with the rest of the book.

My first recommendation is the Jacky Faber series. L A Meyer's series is pure pirate fun and it quite lives up to the addictive precedent of Harry Potter. Jacky sneaks into the British Royal Navy in the first book and nautical adventures ensue. The charm of these books come from the strength and spirit of Jacky herself, as well as from Meyer's strong background in nautical history and sailing. Jackie's adventures are truly unforgettable.

Next, I have to recommend the science fiction of Kenneth Oppel. Oppel invents a world all his own, simply by inventing a new element. Hedreams up a gas, which makes lighter-than-air blimps replace airplanes. This leads to giant blimps much in the style of the Titanic. Our main character, Matt Cruise, is a bellboy to the rich and he is perfectly happy--until life brings adventure to him. (Also, watch out for the new element's allowance for strange creatures living in the air.)

Another of my favorite authors, Isabel Allende, has a recent series featuring two kids that find themselves in adventures far from civilization. Allende has long been a major contributor to spanish literature and is associated with a popular tradition called magical realism or fantastical realism. Her books deal believably with internal journies while in the midst of out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Another plus to Allende is that the series I am recommending is only the tip of the iceberg. She has written prolifically since 1982, and has books for all age groups to her name.

The trilogy that I fell in love with begins with "City of the Beasts" and has a boy name Alex going from his home in the US to the Amazon with his Crazy Aunt Kate, who writes for a travel magazine. Alex is dealing with his Mom's cancer, when he finds a mystery deep in the Amazon.

Finally, I recommend Gordon Korman. The author has long been a favorite of mine. He's undeniably prolific. He writes excellent coming of age books, usually starring a boy and his growing pains with his father. Korman has written many different series, as well as many stand-alone books.

Recently, I've read his new hit "Son of the Mob" which stars the son of a mob boss and his struggle to just be normal. I've also read a trilogy about kids climbing Mount Everest. And finally, the "Son of Interflux" is a laugh-out-loud story about a powerful father and a son who decides to oppose him.