James Ponti Reading Order
17 series · 259 books
James Ponti is an Italian-American author best known for blending mystery and adventure with emotional depth in stories aimed at young readers. His City Spies series follows a team of gifted teen operatives solving international cases, while his Dead City trilogy explores supernatural mysteries in a contemporary setting. With a prolific career spanning multiple genres including young adult fiction, romance, and non-fiction, Ponti has established himself as a versatile storyteller who appeals to both children and adolescents across numerous series and anthologies.
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Anthologies Series
Complete1 book (2022–2022)
Camp Rock: Second Session Series
Complete7 books (2008–2010)
The Camp Rock: Second Session series consists of seven young adult books published between 2008 and 2010, following publication order. This complete series features rotating protagonists, with stories told from the perspectives of characters like Lucy Ruggles and Helen Perelman as they navigate their experiences at a performing arts camp. Each installment can be enjoyed individually, though reading in publication order from For the Record onward provides the fullest picture of the camp community and its interconnected storylines.
Start with For the Record(By: Lucy Ruggles), the first of 7 books in the Camp Rock: Second Session series.
Start this series with For the Record(By: Lucy Ruggles)
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Children's Series
Complete1 book (2006–2006)
City Spies Series
Ongoing8 books (2020–2027)
The City Spies series by James Ponti comprises seven mystery and thriller novels published between 2020 and 2026, with the series still ongoing. Follow the books in publication order, beginning with City Spies and continuing through Golden Gate, Forbidden City, City of the Dead, Mission Manhattan, London Calling, and Europa, with Operation Oz as the most recent entry. Each installment builds on the previous story, making sequential reading essential to fully appreciate the overarching narrative.
Start with City Spies, the first of 7 books in the City Spies series.
Start this series with City Spies
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Dead City Series
Complete3 books (2012–2015)
James Ponti's Dead City trilogy is a young adult mystery and thriller series consisting of three books published between 2012 and 2015. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dead City, followed by Blue Moon, and concluding with Dark Days. This closed-ended series combines elements of mystery, thriller, and romance within the young adult genre.
Start with Dead City and read in order.
Start this series with Dead City
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Disney Storybook Series
Ongoing120 books (1961–2025)
The Disney Storybook series comprises 113 books published between 1961 and 2025, featuring adaptations and original stories based on Disney properties and characters. Written by various authors including James Ponti, Walt Disney, and Catherine Hapka, the series spans multiple genres including mystery, thriller, romance, and young adult fiction. Readers should follow publication order to experience the series as intended, beginning with 101 Dalmatians. The series remains ongoing with new titles continuing to release.
Start with 101 Dalmatians(By: Walt Disney), the first of 113 books in the Disney Storybook series.
Start this series with 101 Dalmatians(By: Walt Disney)
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Florian Bates/T.O.A.S.T. Mysteries Series
Complete3 books (2016–2018)
James Ponti's T.O.A.S.T. Mysteries series comprises three standalone mystery novels featuring protagonist Florian Bates, published between 2016 and 2018. The complete trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Framed! and continuing through Vanished! and Trapped!. Designed for young adult readers who enjoy mystery and thriller narratives, these books deliver self-contained cases while building on the established characters and their investigative team.
Start with Framed! and read in order.
Start this series with Framed!
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Journey Of Allen Strange Series
Complete7 books (1999–2000)
The Journey of Allen Strange is a complete seven-book series published between 1999 and 2000, written by James Ponti alongside several collaborating authors. This young adult mystery and thriller series should be read in publication order, beginning with Alien Vacation and concluding with Joyride. The books follow a connected narrative arc across their shared universe and characters.
Start with Alien Vacation(By: Bobbi J.G. Weiss), the first of 7 books in the Journey Of Allen Strange series.
Start this series with Alien Vacation(By: Bobbi J.G. Weiss)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Junior Series
Complete20 books (1992–2013)
The Junior series is a collection of 20 novelizations based on popular Disney films and television properties, published between 1992 and 2013. This complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Disney's Robin Hood and progressing through adaptations of movies like Enchanted, Camp Rock, and College Road Trip, as well as tie-ins to shows like Lizzie McGuire. Each book stands as a standalone junior novel adaptation, making the series accessible to young readers interested in their favorite Disney stories in book form.
Start with Disney's - Robin Hood(By: Walt Disney), the first of 20 books in the Junior series.
Start this series with Disney's - Robin Hood(By: Walt Disney)
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Movie Storybook Series
Complete9 books (2007–2014)
The Movie Storybook series spans eight complete books published between 2007 and 2014, offering novelizations of popular films adapted for young readers. Each installment retells the story of a major motion picture, including entries based on Disney films, Pirates of the Caribbean, Marvel properties like Thor and the Avengers, and Spider-Man adventures. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Enchanted and concluding with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. These standalone storybooks are designed for readers seeking accessible prose versions of their favorite films.
Start with Enchanted(By: Sarah Nathan), the first of 8 books in the Movie Storybook series.
Start this series with Enchanted(By: Sarah Nathan)
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete2 books (1992–1999)
James Ponti's two-book non-fiction series consists of Hollywood East: Florida's Fabulous Flicks, published in 1992, and WNBA: Stars of Women's Basketball, released in 1999. The series is complete and should be read in publication order. These works span entertainment and sports topics within the non-fiction genre.
Start with Hollywood East: Florida's Fabulous Flicks and read in order.
Start this series with Hollywood East: Florida's Fabulous Flicks
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Pirates Of The Caribbean Series
Complete2 books (2011–2011)
James Ponti's Pirates of the Caribbean series comprises two complete books published in 2011, both adaptations connected to the film On Stranger Tides. Reading these titles in publication order—beginning with the junior novel and moving to the full novel—provides the intended experience. This series blends young adult fiction with adventure and mystery elements drawn from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Start with On Stranger Tides Junior Novel and read in order.
Start this series with On Stranger Tides Junior Novel
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Romantic Comedies Series
Complete37 books (2003–2012)
The Romantic Comedies series is a collection of 37 standalone young adult romantic comedy novels published between 2003 and 2012. Written by various authors including James Ponti, this complete series features lighthearted stories centered around dating, relationships, and high school romance. Each book can be read independently, though readers who wish to experience the full scope of the series should follow the publication order, beginning with How Not to Spend Your Senior Year.
Start with How Not to Spend Your Senior Year(By: Cameron Dokey), the first of 37 books in the Romantic Comedies series.
Start this series with How Not to Spend Your Senior Year(By: Cameron Dokey)
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Standalone Novels Series
Complete5 books (2004–2010)
James Ponti wrote five standalone junior novelizations between 2004 and 2010, with the series now complete. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Around the World in 80 Days Jr. Novel. The collection includes adaptations of popular films and classic stories, each designed as a standalone entry that can be enjoyed independently. All five titles are currently available and represent Ponti's work in the young adult novelization genre during this period.
Start with Around the World in 80 Days Jr. Novel, the first of 5 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Around the World in 80 Days Jr. Novel
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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That's So Raven Series
Complete18 books (2000–2007)
This complete young adult series based on the Disney Channel show comprises 18 books published between 2000 and 2007. James Ponti wrote the first installment, Psyched, while Alice Alfonsi authored the remaining entries. Readers should follow the books in publication order, beginning with Psyched and progressing through the full sequence to experience the story as intended.
Start with Psyched, the first of 18 books in the That's So Raven series.
Start this series with Psyched
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The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo Series
Complete13 books (1997–1999)
The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo is a 13-book mystery series published between 1997 and 1999, written by multiple authors including James Ponti, Alan Goodman, and others. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with A Slash in the Night and concluding with The Green Monster. Each installment follows Shelby Woo as she investigates various mysteries, making the series ideal for young adult readers who enjoy detective fiction and puzzle-solving adventures.
Start with A Slash in the Night(By: Alan Goodman), the first of 13 books in the The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo series.
Start this series with A Slash in the Night(By: Alan Goodman)
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The Sherlock Society Series
Ongoing3 books (2024–2026)
The Sherlock Society is an ongoing young adult mystery series by James Ponti with three books published between 2024 and 2025. Read the books in publication order, beginning with The Sherlock Society, followed by Hurricane Heist and Art Attack. The series combines mystery and thriller elements with contemporary young adult storytelling.
Start with The Sherlock Society and read in order.
Start this series with The Sherlock Society
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleFrequently Asked Questions
- How many books has James Ponti written?
- James Ponti has written 259 books across 17 series. Their published works span from 1961 to 2027.
- What is the first book in each James Ponti series?
- Here are the first books in James Ponti's series: Camp Rock: Second Session: For the Record(By: Lucy Ruggles); City Spies: City Spies; Dead City: Dead City; Disney Storybook: 101 Dalmatians(By: Walt Disney); Florian Bates/T.O.A.S.T. Mysteries: Framed!.
- What order should I read James Ponti's books?
- We recommend reading James Ponti's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is James Ponti still writing new books?
- Yes, James Ponti has 3 ongoing series: City Spies, Disney Storybook, The Sherlock Society.