When asking "what fantasy novels are comparable to the Harry Potter series" on a random discussion forum, most of the responses will be Lord of the Rings, the Earthsea series, etc. Often, the only thing these books have in common with Harry Potter is that they're both fantasy novels.
So I'll attempt to make my request a bit less general. I have selected two qualities of the Harry Potter series that in my opinion make the series "what it is". Furthermore, I have made a short description of how these properties manifest themselves in the Potter series, and gave examples of books that don't have these particular qualities.
In essence, the question is "what fantasy books are comparable to Harry Potter, given these two 'requirements'?".
- There's a link to the world 'as we know it'.
In the Harry Potter series, the fantasy world is the same world as the "normal" world, which is our 20th century world. Easy to identify with: we live it every day. Wizards are human, apart from having magical abilities they are just like us. This genre is sometimes called "contemporary fantasy".
The Ruin Mist Chronicles by Robert Stanek, for example, are set in a medieval-like time (judging by the way of living, transport means, war equipment, etc.) and their mores resemble those of 19th century Europe (strict rules, reading some kind of bible every day, ...). It's hard to identify with that world, which effectively prevents me from getting "sucked into the story".
- "Friendship" is one of the main themes.
In the Harry Potter books, friendship is possibly the most important theme. Harry has 2 good friends with which he can share almost anything that's on his mind, and who help him at all cost, even if it means endangering their own lives. This adds some kind of a "feel-good" thing to the books; the protagonist can be in very nasty situations but at least he has his friends with him.
In many other fantasy books, friendship is only a minor theme. In many stories the hero sets off on his own with some quiet person (preferably a wise wizard of some sort) to serve a higher purpose (saving the world, destroying an enemy, etc.). Friendship is something the protagonist gets deprived of, and again this doesn't make the books attractive to read. I want to enjoy reading a book, and it's difficult for me to enjoy reading about a friendless kid who is undertaking a long journey with an old man who doesn't say a thing for days.
(of course, when I'm saying "it's hard to identify with" or "it's difficult to enjoy", it's my opinion, not fact)
So I'll attempt to make my request a bit less general. I have selected two qualities of the Harry Potter series that in my opinion make the series "what it is". Furthermore, I have made a short description of how these properties manifest themselves in the Potter series, and gave examples of books that don't have these particular qualities.
In essence, the question is "what fantasy books are comparable to Harry Potter, given these two 'requirements'?".
- There's a link to the world 'as we know it'.
In the Harry Potter series, the fantasy world is the same world as the "normal" world, which is our 20th century world. Easy to identify with: we live it every day. Wizards are human, apart from having magical abilities they are just like us. This genre is sometimes called "contemporary fantasy".
The Ruin Mist Chronicles by Robert Stanek, for example, are set in a medieval-like time (judging by the way of living, transport means, war equipment, etc.) and their mores resemble those of 19th century Europe (strict rules, reading some kind of bible every day, ...). It's hard to identify with that world, which effectively prevents me from getting "sucked into the story".
- "Friendship" is one of the main themes.
In the Harry Potter books, friendship is possibly the most important theme. Harry has 2 good friends with which he can share almost anything that's on his mind, and who help him at all cost, even if it means endangering their own lives. This adds some kind of a "feel-good" thing to the books; the protagonist can be in very nasty situations but at least he has his friends with him.
In many other fantasy books, friendship is only a minor theme. In many stories the hero sets off on his own with some quiet person (preferably a wise wizard of some sort) to serve a higher purpose (saving the world, destroying an enemy, etc.). Friendship is something the protagonist gets deprived of, and again this doesn't make the books attractive to read. I want to enjoy reading a book, and it's difficult for me to enjoy reading about a friendless kid who is undertaking a long journey with an old man who doesn't say a thing for days.
(of course, when I'm saying "it's hard to identify with" or "it's difficult to enjoy", it's my opinion, not fact)
), the world and the people in it are recognisable and easy to identify with. 
