J

John Marsden

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 40 Books

8
Series
40
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Tomorrow Books
Start with: Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books
Start with: While I Live (2003)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of So Much to Tell You Books
Start with: So Much to Tell You (1987)

About John Marsden

John Marsden is an Australian school principal, teacher and author and one of the best Australian Young Adult novelists. His novels have been translated into more than ten languages including Spanish, Polish, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, German, French, and Norwegian among others. John was born in Victoria and spent much of his childhood and teen years in Sydney, Devonport, Tasmania, and Kyneton, Victoria. He worked several jobs before settling on the teaching profession, where he came into his own when he started writing children’s books. By 1987 he had published his first novel “So Much to Tell You” and has since gone on to write more than 40 titles that have sold more than 5 million copies across the globe. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series, John Marsden 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 John Marsden

Publication Order of Tomorrow Books
7 books 1993–1999
1

Tomorrow, When the War Began

Conflict and courage define Tomorrow, When the War Began, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series by John Marsden that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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1993
2

The Dead of Night

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Dead of Night as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series showcases John Marsden's mastery of suspense.

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1994
3

A Killing Frost / The Third Day, the Frost

A gripping mystery unfolds in A Killing Frost / The Third Day, the Frost as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series showcases John Marsden's mastery of suspense.

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1995
4

Darkness, Be My Friend

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Tomorrow Books with Darkness, Be My Friend, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1996
5

Burning For Revenge

Burning For Revenge is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1997
6

The Night is for Hunting

The Night is for Hunting is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1998
7

The Other Side of Dawn

The Other Side of Dawn continues the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books
3 books 2003–2006
1

While I Live

While I Live continues the Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2003
2

Incurable

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books with Incurable, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2005
3

Circle Of Flight

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books with Circle Of Flight, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2006
Publication Order of So Much to Tell You Books
2 books 1987–1992
1

So Much to Tell You

So Much to Tell You is an essential installment in the Publication Order of So Much to Tell You Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1987
2

Take My Word For It

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of So Much to Tell You Books with Take My Word For It, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1992
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
18 books 1989–2020
1

The Great Gatenby

The Great Gatenby is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1989
2

Letters from the Inside

Letters from the Inside is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1991
3

Cool School

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Cool School, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1995
4

Checkers

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Checkers, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1996
5

Staying Alive in Year Five

Staying Alive in Year Five continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
6

Looking For Trouble

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Looking For Trouble, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1996
7

Dear Miffy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Dear Miffy, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1997
8

Secret Men's Business

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Secret Men's Business, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1998
9

Prayer for the Twenty-First Century

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Prayer for the Twenty-First Century, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1998
10

Winter

Winter continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
11

The Head Book

The Head Book is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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2001
12

A Day in the Life of Me

A Day in the Life of Me is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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2002
13

Hamlet

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Hamlet, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2008
14

Hamlet & Ophelia

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Hamlet & Ophelia, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2009
15

The Year My Life Broke

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Year My Life Broke, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2013
16

South of Darkness

South of Darkness is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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2014
17

Millie

Millie continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
18

A Roomful of Magic

Magic takes center stage in A Roomful of Magic, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series that expands the enchanting world created by John Marsden.

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2020
Publication Order of Picture Books
2 books 1998–2008
1

Norton's Hut

Norton's Hut continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
2

Home and Away

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with Home and Away, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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2008
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
5 books 1989–2019
1

The Illustrated Bede

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Illustrated Bede, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1989
2

Everything I Know About Writing

Everything I Know About Writing is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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1993
3

Marsden on Marsden

Marsden on Marsden is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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2000
4

Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland

Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2008
5

The Art of Growing Up

The Art of Growing Up is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Marsden have come to expect.

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2019
Publication Order of From Reason to Revolution Books
2 books 2021–2023
1

Napoleon’s Stolen Army: How the Royal Navy Rescued a Spanish Army in the Baltic

Conflict and courage define Napoleon’s Stolen Army: How the Royal Navy Rescued a Spanish Army in the Baltic, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of From Reason to Revolution Books series by John Marsden that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2021
2

The Tagus Campaign of 1809

The Tagus Campaign of 1809 continues the Publication Order of From Reason to Revolution Books story arc with John Marsden's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023
Publication Order of Shaun Tan Picture Books
1 books 1998–1998
1

The Rabbits

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Shaun Tan Picture Books with The Rabbits, another outstanding contribution from John Marsden.

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1998

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is John Marsden?

John Marsden is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 40 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Tomorrow Books, Publication Order of The Ellie Chronicles Books, Publication Order of So Much to Tell You Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best John Marsden series to start with?

For readers new to John Marsden's work, the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 7 books. Begin with Tomorrow, When the War Began to start from the very beginning.

How many books has John Marsden written?

John Marsden has written over 40 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read John Marsden books in order?

Yes, reading John Marsden'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 John Marsden write in?

John Marsden writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 40 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are John Marsden's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of John Marsden'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 John Marsden's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, John Marsden's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Tomorrow Books series. The first book, Tomorrow, When the War Began, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.