John Boyne Reading Order
7 series · 39 books · Born 1971
John Boyne is a prolific Irish author known for his engaging storytelling and deep historical narratives. With a remarkable portfolio of 39 works spanning 7 series—including Elements, standalone novels, novellas, collections, and children's literature—he captivates readers across multiple genres. His most renowned piece, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, has left a lasting impact since its release in 2006 and has been adapted into film.
Anthologies Series
Complete4 books (2009–2014)
Start with The Grist Anthology of New Writing, the first of 4 books in the Anthologies series.
Children's Series
Complete1 book (2024–2024)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Dog Who Danced on the Moon 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
Collections Series
Complete1 book (2015–2015)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Beneath the Earth 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
Elements Series
Ongoing4 books (2023–2025)
Start with Water, the first of 4 books in the Elements series.
Open Door 6 Series
Complete7 books (2008–2008)
Start with An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley), the first of 7 books in the Open Door 6 series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  An Angel at My Back(By: Mary Stanley) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | Bullet and the Ark(By: Peter Sheridan) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | Jesus and Billy Are Off to Barcelona(By: Deirdre Purcell) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Lighthouse(By: Chris Binchy) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Star Gazing(By: Kate Thompson) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | The Second Child 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Three's a Crowd(By: Sheila O'Flanagan) 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (2009–2009)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Dare 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing21 books (2000–2026)
Start with The Thief of Time, the first of 21 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Thief of Time 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  The Congress of Rough Riders 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Crippen 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Next of Kin 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Mutiny on the Bounty 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  The House of Special Purpose 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Noah Barleywater Runs Away 2010Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  The Absolutist 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Stay Where You Are and Then Leave 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  This House Is Haunted 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 | A History of Loneliness 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  The Boy at the Top of the Mountain 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 |  The Heart's Invisible Furies 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  A Ladder to the Sky 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 |  My Brother's Name is Jessica 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 |  A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  The Echo Chamber 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 |  All the Broken Places 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 | The Weight of Angels 2026Buy 🇺🇸 |
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.