Ann M. Martin Books in Order (The Ultimate Guide)

Last Updated: June 23, 2025

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Ann M. Martin books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Ann M. Martin is a name that has become unforgettable for generations of young readers. Best known for creating The Baby-Sitters Club series, Ann’s journey as a writer began long before the first book ever hit the shelves. Born on August 12, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey, Ann Matthews Martin grew up in a creative and nurturing household. Her father, Henry Martin, was a talented cartoonist who worked for well-known magazines like The New Yorker, while her mother, Edith, was a devoted preschool teacher. With a background like that, it’s no surprise that storytelling became such an important part of her life.

From a very early age, Ann showed a deep love for stories. Even before she could write, she would tell her own stories to her mother, who would write them down for her. It’s a sweet picture — a little girl already imagining new worlds and characters, with her mother helping her bring those dreams to life. Some of her favorite authors while growing up included Roald Dahl, P.L. Travers, Lewis Carroll, Hugh Lofting, and Astrid Lindgren — writers who created magical, meaningful tales that sparked young imaginations. Their influence can be felt in Ann’s own writing: heartfelt, funny, and full of life.

Her passion for writing truly blossomed in elementary school. In second grade, she realized that she not only enjoyed writing — she needed to do it. She began filling notebooks with stories during her free time. One of her teachers even predicted that Ann would become a great writer someday. That encouragement stayed with her.

Throughout middle school and high school, Ann continued to explore her interests. She loved English and French classes but wasn’t a fan of math. At the same time, she discovered another passion — working with children, especially those with learning differences. During the summers, she worked at the Eden Institute, a school in Princeton for children with autism. This experience helped shape her later work and deepened her commitment to helping kids through both teaching and writing.

After graduating from Princeton High School in 1973, Ann went on to study at Smith College, one of the top women’s colleges in the U.S. There, she majored in early childhood education and child psychology. Her senior thesis focused on the use of children’s literature in the classroom — a perfect blend of her two main interests. She then began teaching at Plumfield School, working with fourth and fifth graders who had learning disabilities like autism and dyslexia. Her compassion and patience during those years clearly show in her books, where young readers often find understanding, encouragement, and empathy.

Eventually, Ann moved from the classroom into the publishing world. She started as an editorial assistant and worked her way up to senior editor, working for major children’s publishers like Scholastic and Pocket Books. But the writing bug never left her. In 1983, she published her first novel, Bummer Summer, which won the Children’s Choice Award in 1985. This was just the beginning.

In 1986, everything changed when she released Kristy’s Great Idea, the first book in The Baby-Sitters Club series. The series followed Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, Stacey, and later many more characters — all regular girls navigating school, friendship, family, and of course, babysitting. Readers were instantly hooked. The books felt real. The girls felt like friends. And the problems they faced — sibling drama, health issues, growing pains — felt honest and relatable.

Ann wrote the first 35 books herself before passing the torch to ghostwriters, though she continued to stay involved in the series. Over the years, The Baby-Sitters Club became a beloved part of many readers’ childhoods. Fans still remember favorite characters, favorite quotes, and even the emotional lessons the books taught. Whether it was Stacey dealing with diabetes, Mary Anne learning to find her voice, or Claudia struggling with school, there was always something to connect with.

Ann later focused more on standalone novels, including A Corner of the Universe, which won a Newbery Honor in 2003. These stories, like her earlier work, center around realistic young characters facing real-world issues, told with heart, honesty, and care.

Today, Ann M. Martin’s books continue to inspire new generations. Whether you’re rediscovering The Baby-Sitters Club or exploring her other heartfelt novels, one thing remains true — Ann writes with a deep understanding of what it means to grow up. And through her stories, she continues to help readers feel seen, understood, and never alone.