Baby-Sitters Club Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Baby-Sitters Club books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Baby-Sitters Club Series

The Baby-Sitters Club series holds a very special place in the hearts of readers who grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s — and it continues to capture the imagination of new generations today. First launched in 1986, these beloved children’s novels revolve around a group of middle-school girls who start a babysitting business in the fictional town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut. But the books are much more than simple stories about kids earning money. They’re about friendship, growing up, and facing life’s everyday challenges together.

The original idea for The Baby-Sitters Club didn’t actually come from the author herself. It was sparked by Jean Feiwel, an editor at Scholastic at the time. She had noticed a growing interest in books about babysitting and thought it could be turned into something even bigger — a series, perhaps. She approached Ann M. Martin with the idea and trusted her to bring it to life. Martin accepted the challenge and crafted the first four books, not knowing how far this little idea would go.

And what happened next was nothing short of a publishing phenomenon. The books flew off the shelves. Kids couldn’t get enough of the characters, the drama, and the heartwarming slice-of-life moments that felt so close to home. Scholastic quickly realized they had something huge on their hands. What was meant to be a short series expanded rapidly. Martin was asked to write more titles — and then more. Eventually, ghostwriters joined in to keep up with the demand, though Martin continued to guide the series and remained involved in shaping its direction.

At the heart of the series are four unforgettable girls: Kristy Thomas, the natural-born leader; Mary Anne Spier, the thoughtful and shy one; Claudia Kishi, the artsy and creative spirit; and Stacey McGill, the fashionable and sophisticated girl from New York who happens to be managing diabetes. These girls come together when Kristy has a brilliant idea to launch a babysitting club — hence the name. They’re soon joined by others like Dawn, Mallory, Jessi, and Abby, expanding their circle and their business.

Each book is written from the perspective of a different club member, giving readers a chance to see the world through various eyes. This clever storytelling choice allows for deep character development and emotional variety. Readers get to experience what it’s like to be the new kid, the kid with divorced parents, the artistic soul, or the one dealing with tough health issues — all in an age-appropriate and empathetic way.

Ann M. Martin drew much of her inspiration from real people she knew, including her own childhood friends. That’s one reason the characters feel so real. They argue, they make mistakes, they support each other, and they grow — just like real girls do. Even though the books are short and easy to read (perfect for middle-grade readers), they touch on themes that are surprisingly deep. Topics like family tension, friendship troubles, growing independence, and even social issues like prejudice are gently woven into the stories.

Though the series started in the ’80s, its popularity has never faded. Scholastic even updated the books in 2009 to make them more relatable for modern readers. That said, Martin was careful not to take away the charm of the original time period. For example, she avoided giving the girls cell phones, choosing instead to quietly remove outdated technology like VCRs. Her goal was to keep the stories timeless — a frozen-in-time version of adolescence where some things (like friendship and personal growth) never go out of style.

Despite the many books that followed — over 130 in the main series alone — the characters never age past 13. They stay in middle school forever, locked in a world where babysitting adventures, boy problems, and school dances continue in an endless cycle. And honestly, fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

Martin herself wrote only the first 35 books, but she remained creatively involved in the many spin-offs that followed. Over the years, readers got to enjoy Super Specials, Mysteries, Friends Forever, and even graphic novel versions of some of the most popular stories. These adaptations brought in new fans while staying true to the heart of the original series.

The books have had their share of praise and critique. On one hand, they’ve been celebrated for empowering girls and giving them strong role models who show leadership, teamwork, and compassion. On the other hand, some critics have pointed out that the stories occasionally fall into stereotypical portrayals of gender roles. Still, the overall message remains one of support, strength, and resilience — especially for young girls navigating the confusing world of growing up.

The Baby-Sitters Club universe even made its way onto screens. In 1990, a short-lived but memorable TV series aired, introducing the characters to a wider audience. Then in 1995, fans got to see their favorite babysitters in a live-action movie that followed the girls through one eventful summer. More recently, Netflix revived the series with a fresh adaptation that modernized the story while staying true to its core themes — much to the delight of longtime fans and new readers alike.

Ann M. Martin’s own story is just as inspiring. Born in 1955, she grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and always knew she wanted to write. Her background as a teacher — particularly her work with children with disabilities — gave her unique insight into young minds. That sensitivity shines through in her writing. She believed children’s books should reflect the real experiences of children, and that’s exactly what she delivered.

In the end, The Baby-Sitters Club is more than just a collection of stories. It’s a legacy. It reminds readers — no matter how old they are — that friendship, loyalty, and kindness are always in style. And whether you’re reading the books for the first time or revisiting them years later, there’s always something warm and comforting about returning to Stoneybrook.