Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife books in order

Reading order

Scarlett Fife is ten years old and absolutely sure her life is a disaster. Her mum is pregnant, her dad is stressed, her brother is insufferable, and school is not much better. What makes these books work is that Scarlett tells the story herself, in a voice that is funny, self-aware, and occasionally very sad in the way that only children being completely honest can be.

Maz Evans uses Scarlett’s narration to look at the kind of family upheaval that many children recognise: new siblings, parents under pressure, friendships that shift. Each book in the trilogy picks up where the last left off, so reading them in order gives the fullest picture of Scarlett’s world. The series has drawn comparisons to Wimpy Kid in tone, though it has its own distinct voice and a warmer emotional core that makes it particularly good for readers going through their own difficult stretches at home.