S

Sally Gardner

Bestselling Author • 9 Series • 44 Books

9
Series
44
Books
9
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Magical Children Books
Start with: The Strongest Girl in the World (1999)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Tales from the Box Books
Start with: Boolar's Big Day Out (2003)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of French Revolution Books
Start with: The Red Necklace (2007)

About Sally Gardner

Since she is dyslexic, having been diagnosed at the age of twelve, she was unable to learn to write or read until she was fourteen years old and was thrown out of many schools, having been labeled unteachable. She also sent to a school for maladjusted kids. However, she was able to receive a degree with highest honors at one leading London art college, which was followed by a scholarship to theater school. Then she went on to be a successful costume designer, working on some very notable productions. After her twin daughters and son were born, she began illustrating and then writing picture and chapter books. Usually, these books had fairytale or otherwise magical subject matter. London’s Sunday Times called her an idiosyncratic genius. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Magical Children Books series, Sally Gardner 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 Sally Gardner

Publication Order of Magical Children Books
6 books 1999–2006
1

The Strongest Girl in the World

The Strongest Girl in the World continues the Publication Order of Magical Children Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
2

The Invisible Boy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Magical Children Books with The Invisible Boy, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2002
3

The Smallest Girl Ever

The Smallest Girl Ever continues the Publication Order of Magical Children Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
4

The Boy Who Could Fly

The Boy Who Could Fly is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Magical Children Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2002
5

The Boy with the Magic Numbers

Magic takes center stage in The Boy with the Magic Numbers, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Magical Children Books series that expands the enchanting world created by Sally Gardner.

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2003
6

Boy With The Lightning Feet

Boy With The Lightning Feet continues the Publication Order of Magical Children Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
Publication Order of Tales from the Box Books
2 books 2003–2003
1

Boolar's Big Day Out

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Tales from the Box Books with Boolar's Big Day Out, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2003
2

The Countess's Calamity

The Countess's Calamity is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Tales from the Box Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2003
Publication Order of French Revolution Books
2 books 2007–2009
1

The Red Necklace

The Red Necklace is an essential installment in the Publication Order of French Revolution Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2007
2

The Silver Blade

The Silver Blade continues the Publication Order of French Revolution Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books
5 books 2012–2017
1

Operation Bunny

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books with Operation Bunny, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2012
2

Three Pickled Herrings

Three Pickled Herrings is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2013
3

The Vanishing of Billy Buckle

The Vanishing of Billy Buckle is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2013
4

The Matchbox Mysteries

The Matchbox Mysteries is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2014
5

The Flying Carpet Thief

The Flying Carpet Thief continues the Publication Order of Fairy Detective Agency: Wings & Co Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
Publication Order of Mr. Tiger, Betsy Books
3 books 2018–2020
1

Mr. Tiger, Betsy, and the Blue Moon

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mr. Tiger, Betsy Books with Mr. Tiger, Betsy, and the Blue Moon, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2018
2

Mr. Tiger, Betsy, and the Sea Dragon

Epic adventure awaits in Mr. Tiger, Betsy, and the Sea Dragon, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Mr. Tiger, Betsy Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Sally Gardner has built.

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2019
3

Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Golden Seahorse

Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Golden Seahorse is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mr. Tiger, Betsy Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2020
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
14 books 1993–2025
1

The Little Nut Tree

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Little Nut Tree, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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1993
2

I, Coriander

I, Coriander is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2005
3

Lucy Willow

Lucy Willow continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
4

The Double Shadow

The Double Shadow is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2011
5

Maggot Moon

Maggot Moon is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2012
6

A Palace Full of Princesses

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with A Palace Full of Princesses, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2012
7

Tinder

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Tinder, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2013
8

The Door That Lead to Where

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Door That Lead to Where, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2015
9

My Side of the Diamond

My Side of the Diamond is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2017
10

The Wind in the Wall

The Wind in the Wall continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018
11

Invisible In A Bright Light

Invisible In A Bright Light is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2019
12

The Snow Song

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Snow Song, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2021
13

The Weather Woman

The Weather Woman is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2022
14

The Bride Stone

The Bride Stone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2025
Publication Order of Picture Books
7 books 1994–2011
1

My Little Princess

My Little Princess is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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1994
2

The Fairy Catalogue

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with The Fairy Catalogue, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2000
3

The Fairy Tale Catalog

The Fairy Tale Catalog is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2000
4

The Glass Heart

The Glass Heart explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Picture Books series by Sally Gardner.

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2001
5

Mama Don't Go Out Tonight

Mama Don't Go Out Tonight continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
6

Fairy Shopping

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with Fairy Shopping, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2003
7

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2011
Publication Order of Chapter Books
4 books 2011–2011
1

Cinderella

Cinderella is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Chapter Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2011
2

Sleeping Beauty

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Chapter Books with Sleeping Beauty, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2011
3

Snow White

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Chapter Books with Snow White, another outstanding contribution from Sally Gardner.

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2011
4

The Frog Prince

The Frog Prince is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Chapter Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sally Gardner have come to expect.

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2011
Publication Order of Tindims Books
1 books 2020–2020
1

The Tindims of Rubbish Island

The Tindims of Rubbish Island continues the Publication Order of Tindims Books story arc with Sally Gardner's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sally Gardner?

Sally Gardner is a bestselling author known for 9 book series containing over 44 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Magical Children Books, Publication Order of Tales from the Box Books, Publication Order of French Revolution Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Sally Gardner series to start with?

For readers new to Sally Gardner's work, the Publication Order of Magical Children Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 6 books. Begin with The Strongest Girl in the World to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Sally Gardner written?

Sally Gardner has written over 44 books across 9 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Sally Gardner books in order?

Yes, reading Sally Gardner'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 Sally Gardner write in?

Sally Gardner writes primarily in fiction. With 9 series across 44 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Sally Gardner's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Sally Gardner'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 Sally Gardner's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Sally Gardner's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Magical Children Books series. The first book, The Strongest Girl in the World, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.