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Monica Hesse

Bestselling Author • 3 Series • 7 Books

3
Series
7
Books
3
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Stray Books
Start with: Stray (2013)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Girl in the Blue Coat (2016)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: American Fire (2017)

About Monica Hesse

Monica Hesse is a journalist and novelist best known for the writing of young adult and historical fiction, the most popular of which is Girl in the Blue Coat. She is also the author of the popular Stray series of novels. She is an accomplished journalist that has worked at for the Washington Post writing feature stories covering White House state dinners, Academy Awards ceremonies, political campaigns, dog shows, and royal weddings and some that are a mish mash of all the above. In addition to penning the feature stories for the Post, she has appeared on NPR, Fox, CSPAN, CNN, MSNBC, and NBC to talk about a range of societal issues. Hesse has won several awards for her work over the years the most significant being the James Beard and Livingstone Awards. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Stray Books series, Monica Hesse 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 Monica Hesse

Publication Order of Stray Books
2 books 2013–2014
1

Stray

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Stray Books with Stray, another outstanding contribution from Monica Hesse.

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2013
2

Burn

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Stray Books with Burn, another outstanding contribution from Monica Hesse.

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2014
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
4 books 2016–2024
1

Girl in the Blue Coat

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Girl in the Blue Coat, another outstanding contribution from Monica Hesse.

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2016
2

The War Outside

Conflict and courage define The War Outside, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Monica Hesse that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2018
3

They Went Left

They Went Left continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Monica Hesse's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
4

The Brightwood Code

The Brightwood Code continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Monica Hesse's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2024
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
1 books 2017–2017
1

American Fire

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with American Fire, another outstanding contribution from Monica Hesse.

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2017

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Monica Hesse?

Monica Hesse is a bestselling author known for 3 book series containing over 7 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Stray Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Monica Hesse series to start with?

For readers new to Monica Hesse's work, the Publication Order of Stray Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 2 books. Begin with Stray to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Monica Hesse written?

Monica Hesse has written over 7 books across 3 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Monica Hesse books in order?

Yes, reading Monica Hesse'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 Monica Hesse write in?

Monica Hesse writes primarily in fiction. With 3 series across 7 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Monica Hesse's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Monica Hesse'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 Monica Hesse's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Monica Hesse's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Stray Books series. The first book, Stray, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.