The Spiderwick Chronicles Books In Order: A Guide to Reading the Series
By Lily | Published 30 June 2023 | This post may contain affiliate links.
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series of children's fantasy books written by Holly Black and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. The series follows the adventures of the Grace children - twins Jared and Simon and their older sister Mallory - as they explore the fantastical world around them.
The series begins with the discovery of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You, a handmade field guide that reveals the existence of magical creatures and the secret world of faerie.
If you're looking to dive into this thrilling adventure series, here's a guide to reading the Spiderwick Chronicles books in order.
“Cute series for kids & adults. Our family enjoyed these over the summer as a read aloud. Quick read. Good pictures. This particular size/hardcover looks nice as a set on the bookshelf.” - Amazon review by Marshall
The Spiderwick Chronicles Books in Order
1. The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles 1)
After finding a mysterious, handmade field guide in the attic of the ramshackle old mansion they’ve just moved into, Jared; his twin brother, Simon; and their older sister, Mallory, discover that there’s a magical and maybe dangerous world existing parallel to their own—the world of faerie.The Grace children want to share their story, but the faeries will do everything possible to stop them ...
“The Field Guide is an amazing introductory little book with its creative, illustrative pictures into the magical world of fairies. As you delve further and further into the book, you will feel as though you have become a part of their world. I read the book in one sitting as I could not put it down. Each chapter provided more insight into the supernatural world and the Grace children; I wanted to know more. The only downside is that I did not buy the other four books. I should have bought all five, I wanted to more and therefore felt dissatisfied.” – Amazon guide by A. Fazal
Goodreads: 3.92 avg rating — 86,581 ratings
Reading Ages: 7 - 12 years
2. The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles 2)
Thanks to the mysterious field guide left behind by their long-lost great-great-uncle, Arthur Spiderwick, life for the Grace kids—Jared, Simon, and Mallory—is beyond weird. When Simon goes missing, Jared is convinced creatures from the faerie world have something to do with it. Mallory is not convinced. That is, until she and Jared contend with a band of menacing, marauding goblins. Simon is clearly in danger, and it’s up to Mallory and Simon to save him before it’s too late.
“My 4th grade daughter read the first in this series in school and asked me to buy the next one for a prize. She's hooked! She loves the stories and fantastical creatures. We've gone to the library to check out the next 3 books! If your child likes goblins, unicorns, kids and fantasy - this is sure to be a hit!” – Amazon guide by Alex G.
Goodreads: 3.91 avg rating — 43,290 ratings
Reading Ages: 7 - 12 years
3. Lucinda’s Secret (The Spiderwick Chronicles 3)
As if being attacked by goblins and a bridge troll weren’t enough, Jared is now being targeted by Thimbletack. Simon is keeping an injured and very hungry griffin hidden in the carriage house. And Mallory is convinced the only way to get things back to normal is to get rid of the Guide. But that doesn’t seem to be an option. With more creatures from Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You popping up, the Guide seems to be the only protection the Grace kids have. But why do the faeries want it so badly? There’s only one person to go to for answers—their fragile and confused Aunt Lucinda.
“My 8 yr old and I read this series EVERY night! We love it! We are actually on the last book of the series and he's already asked if we can maybe re-read the series from the first book to the last again. Hehe. Great writting and love how they present the books and the style of the book. Very nice. I like that they encourage kids to write their OWN stories about fairies and creatures in their imagination. A series every child should have in their book collection.” – Amazon review by S. Jones
Goodreads: 3.90 avg rating — 37,248 ratings
Reading Ages: 7 - 12 years
4. The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles 4)
First a pack of vile, smelly goblins snatch Simon. Then a band of elves try to entrap Jared. Why is the entire faerie world so eager to get their hands on Arthur Spiderwick’s Guide? And will the Grace kids be left alone now that the Guide has mysteriously disappeared? Don’t count on it.
“Me and my boys (age 6 and 8) have been loving reading these together. Good stories, short and easy for a chapter a night reading. My 8 year old would enjoy reading them by himself but my 6 year old struggles with some of the words when reading independently (his reading ability is very average compared with his age-group friends). I was worried they were a bit scary at first for my two, but it takes you just to the edge but brings you back so nothing gets too frightening!” – Amazon review by TeacherMum
Goodreads: 3.94 avg rating — 38,744 ratings
Reading Ages: 7 to 12 years old
5. The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles 5)
The Wizard of Oz meets America's favorite pastime! From beloved baseball author Alan Gratz comes a novel in which classic literary characters are baseball crazy, and one real-world boy must face his fears and discover the surprising truth about himself.
“This book is fun! Very easy to read with a unique look at an everyday sport. Kids and adults will enjoy the wacky characters! I've read other books by this author and found that you certainly don't have to be a child to enjoy them. This one is fun to read to the kids. A homerun!” – Amazon review by Dee in North Carolina
Goodreads: 3.96 avg rating — 38,983 ratings
Reading Ages: 7 - 12 years
Companion Books and Additional Titles
In addition to the main Spiderwick Chronicles series, there are several companion books and additional titles that expand on the world of Spiderwick Chronicles.
6. The Nixie’s Song, Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles
The Spiderwick Chronicles leaves the old-fashioned charm of New England far behind and heads south for some fiendish faerie fun in the hot Florida sun. Eleven-year-old Nicholas Vargas only thinks his life has been turned upside down after his developer father remarries and moves his new wife and daughter into the soon-to-be completed Mangrove Hollow. But an expedition to a nearby lake turns up a little nixie with a giant problem—the huge, lumbering, fire-breathing variety—and it’s up to Nick; his stepsister, Laurie; and his big brother, Julian to figure out the best way to stop a host of rampaging giants before all of Florida goes up in smoke.
“My almost 10 year old daughter and I were looking for a new book to read at bedtime. We picked this series and take turns each night reading a chapter to one another. We both really enjoyed the first book. We are now on the 2nd book. The book is super cute, some mystery, and some silly in it. The cover and illustrations are awesome. I highly recommend this series.” – Amazon review by Randi E.
Goodreads: 3.74 avg rating — 11,639 ratings
Reading Age: 6 - 10 years old
7. A Giant Problem, Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles
After his last tangle with the magical creatures in his stepsister’s field guide, Nick is looking forward to kicking back and beating Laura at video games. But when even more fire-breathing giants begin to wake up, it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for the two siblings. Can they stop the giants before they destroy all of Florida?
“My 7 year old daughter loves all the books in this series. Several of her friends are fans of the Chronicles too. It is a great way for them to share interesting ideas and use their imagination. Highly recommended.” – Amazon review by Gemologist
Goodreads: 3.83 avg rating — 7,543 ratings
Reading Age: 6 - 10 years old
8. The Wyrm King, Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles
Nick and Laurie thought their worries were behind them when they drove all the giants into the sea. But now, the Grace kids have come to tell them they may have more trouble coming their way! It turns out the giants control the population of Hydra, a dragon-like creature that is creating sinkholes all over Florida. But with the mermaids refusing to return the giants to the shore, the nixies still missing and the threat of a destroyed Florida drawing closer, the kids have to take matters in their own hands.
“While I did not like "Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles" as much as I loved "The Spiderwick Chronicles" it still was a great series of books that kept my 10 year old's interest and made him hurry to get ready for bed. Easily had him dropping his iPad when asked if he wanted me to read to him. Great characters, great story, great pictures. Just when you think it is wrapping up a thread, Holly Black drops the spool on you.” – Amazon review by Paul P.
Goodreads: 3.88 avg rating — 5,198 ratings
Reading Ages: 6 - 10 years and up
Reading Order Tips
If you're new to the series, we recommend starting with Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. This book sets the stage for the entire series and introduces readers to the world of Spiderwick Chronicles.
If you're a fan of the Spiderwick Chronicles and want to explore the world further, we recommend checking out the companion books and additional titles. These books offer a wealth of information about the world of Spiderwick Chronicles and are a great way to expand your knowledge of this fantastical world.
Conclusion
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a thrilling adventure series that will transport readers to a world of magical creatures and hidden wonders. With this guide to reading the series in order, parents can introduce their children to the fantastical world of Spiderwick Chronicles and foster a love of reading that will last a lifetime.
So, grab a copy of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure with the Grace children.