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Gary D. Schmidt

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 36 Books

5
Series
36
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: The Sin Eater (1996)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Picture Books
Start with: The Great Stone Face (1850)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: Robert McCloskey (1990)

About Gary D. Schmidt

Gary D. Schmidt is a renowned American novelist, who is famous for writing young adult and children’s fiction books. He has written many standalone books in his career, the most popular ones among them being First Boy, Okay For Now, and Lizzie Bright & the Buckminster Boy. In addition to being a noteworthy writer, he is also an English professor at the Calvin College. Author Schmidt was born and brought up in Hicksville, New York. He was highly underestimated by the teachers of the elementary school where he was studying. The teachers used to classify the students on the basis of their aptitude, a quality that Schmidt was greatly lacking. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Gary D. Schmidt has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Gary D. Schmidt

Publication Order of Standalone Novels
17 books 1996–2024
1

The Sin Eater

The Sin Eater is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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1996
2

Anson's Way

Anson's Way continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
3

Straw Into Gold

Straw Into Gold continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
4

Mara's Stories

Mara's Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2001
5

The Wonders of Donal O'Donnell

The Wonders of Donal O'Donnell continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
6

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2004
7

First Boy

First Boy continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2005
8

The Wednesday Wars

Conflict and courage define The Wednesday Wars, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Gary D. Schmidt that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2007
9

Trouble

Trouble is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2008
10

Okay for Now

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Okay for Now, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2011
11

What Came from the Stars

What Came from the Stars is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2012
12

Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2015
13

Pay Attention, Carter Jones

Pay Attention, Carter Jones continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2019
14

Almost Time

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Almost Time, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2020
15

Just Like That

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Just Like That, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2021
16

The Labors of Hercules Beal

The Labors of Hercules Beal continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023
17

Jupiter Rising

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Jupiter Rising, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2024
Publication Order of Picture Books
4 books 1850–2018
1

The Great Stone Face

The Great Stone Face continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1850
2

Pilgrim's Progress

Pilgrim's Progress continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
3

Martin de Porres

Martin de Porres is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2012
4

So Tall Within

So Tall Within is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2018
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
7 books 1990–2000
1

Robert McCloskey

Robert McCloskey continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
2

Hugh Lofting

Hugh Lofting is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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1992
3

Katherine Paterson

Katherine Paterson is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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1994
4

The Iconography of the Mouth of Hell

The Iconography of the Mouth of Hell continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
5

Robert Lawson

Robert Lawson is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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1997
6

William Bradford

William Bradford continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Gary D. Schmidt's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
7

Saint Ciaran

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Saint Ciaran, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2000
Publication Order of Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View Books
3 books 2017–2023
1

From a Certain Point of View Star Wars

Conflict and courage define From a Certain Point of View Star Wars, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View Books series by Gary D. Schmidt that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2017
2

From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back

From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2020
3

From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi

From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2023
Publication Order of Anthologies
5 books 2013–2024
1

Break These Rules

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Break These Rules, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2013
2

Been There, Done That

Been There, Done That is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Gary D. Schmidt have come to expect.

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2015
3

From a Certain Point of View Star Wars

Conflict and courage define From a Certain Point of View Star Wars, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Gary D. Schmidt that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2017
4

The Creativity Project

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Creativity Project, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2018
5

A Little Bit Super

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with A Little Bit Super, another outstanding contribution from Gary D. Schmidt.

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2024

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gary D. Schmidt?

Gary D. Schmidt is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 36 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Picture Books, Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Gary D. Schmidt series to start with?

For readers new to Gary D. Schmidt's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 17 books. Begin with The Sin Eater to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Gary D. Schmidt written?

Gary D. Schmidt has written over 36 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Gary D. Schmidt books in order?

Yes, reading Gary D. Schmidt's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Gary D. Schmidt write in?

Gary D. Schmidt writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 36 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Gary D. Schmidt's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Gary D. Schmidt's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Gary D. Schmidt's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Gary D. Schmidt's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, The Sin Eater, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.