Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

John Boyne Reading Order

7 series · 39 books · Born 1971

Young Adult

Irish author John Boyne has built a prolific career spanning adult and children's literature, crafting historical fiction that resonates across age groups and international audiences. He is best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, his emotionally powerful 2006 novel about friendship during the Holocaust that became a acclaimed feature film. Boyne's versatile output includes novels, short stories, and novellas that demonstrate his skill at exploring complex historical moments and human relationships through accessible, compelling narratives.

Anthologies Series

Complete

4 books (2009–2014)

Start with The Grist Anthology of New Writing, the first of 4 books in the Anthologies series.

Start this series with The Grist Anthology of New Writing

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#Title
1
Cover of The Grist Anthology of New Writing
The Grist Anthology of New Writing
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of From the Republic of Conscience
From the Republic of Conscience
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Beyond the Stars: Twelve Tales of Adventure, Magic and Wonder
Beyond the Stars: Twelve Tales of Adventure, Magic and Wonder
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Dubliners 100
Dubliners 100
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Children's Series

Complete

1 book (2024–2024)

#Title
1
The Dog Who Danced on the Moon
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2015–2015)

#Title
1
Cover of Beneath the Earth
Beneath the Earth
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Elements Series

Ongoing

4 books (2023–2025)

Start with Water, the first of 4 books in the Elements series.

Start this series with Water

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
Cover of Earth
3
4
Cover of Air

Open Door 6 Series

Complete

7 books (2008–2008)

Start with An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley), the first of 7 books in the Open Door 6 series.

Start this series with An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley)

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#Title
1
Cover of An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley)
An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Bullet and the Ark(By: Peter Sheridan)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Jesus and Billy Are Off to Barcelona(By: Deirdre Purcell)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Lighthouse(By: Chris Binchy)
Lighthouse(By: Chris Binchy)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Star Gazing(By: Kate Thompson)
Star Gazing(By: Kate Thompson)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
The Second Child
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Three's a Crowd(By: Sheila O'Flanagan)
Three's a Crowd(By: Sheila O'Flanagan)
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

1 book (2009–2009)

#Title
1
Cover of The Dare

Standalone Novels Series

Ongoing

21 books (2000–2026)

Start with The Thief of Time, the first of 21 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with The Thief of Time

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#Title
1
Cover of The Thief of Time
The Thief of Time
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Congress of Rough Riders
The Congress of Rough Riders
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Crippen
4
Cover of Next of Kin
5
Cover of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of The House of Special Purpose
The House of Special Purpose
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of Noah Barleywater Runs Away
Noah Barleywater Runs Away
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Absolutist
The Absolutist
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of Stay Where You Are and Then Leave
Stay Where You Are and Then Leave
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of This House Is Haunted
This House Is Haunted
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
A History of Loneliness
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of The Boy at the Top of the Mountain
The Boy at the Top of the Mountain
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of The Heart's Invisible Furies
The Heart's Invisible Furies
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of A Ladder to the Sky
A Ladder to the Sky
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
Cover of My Brother's Name is Jessica
My Brother's Name is Jessica
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18
Cover of A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom
A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19
Cover of The Echo Chamber
The Echo Chamber
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20
Cover of All the Broken Places
All the Broken Places
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21
The Weight of Angels
2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has John Boyne written?
John Boyne has written 39 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 2000 to 2026.
What is the first book in each John Boyne series?
Here are the first books in John Boyne's series: Anthologies: The Grist Anthology of New Writing; Elements: Water; Open Door 6: An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley).
What order should I read John Boyne's books?
We recommend reading John Boyne's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is John Boyne still writing new books?
Yes, John Boyne has 2 ongoing series: Elements, Standalone Novels.

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