Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sin Eater | 1996 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 2 | Anson’s Way | 1999 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 3 | Straw Into Gold | 2001 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 4 | Mara’s Stories | 2001 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 5 | The Wonders of Donal O’Donnell | 2002 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 6 | Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy | 2004 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 7 | First Boy | 2005 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 8 | The Wednesday Wars | 2007 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 9 | Trouble | 2008 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 10 | Okay for Now | 2011 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 11 | What Came from the Stars | 2012 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 12 | Orbiting Jupiter | 2015 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 13 | Pay Attention, Carter Jones | 2019 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 14 | Almost Time | 2020 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 15 | Just Like That | 2021 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 16 | The Labors of Hercules Beal | 2023 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 17 | Jupiter Rising | 2024 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
| 18 | A Day at the Beach | 2025 | Gary D. Schmidt | Buy |
Gary D. Schmidt’s standalone novels form the heart of his reputation, stretching from The Sin Eater in 1996 to A Day at the Beach in 2025. The list includes historical fiction, middle grade classics, and emotionally resonant contemporary stories that have made him a widely taught and discussed writer for younger readers.
Because these books are not part of one continuous storyline, readers can begin almost anywhere. Publication order still works well, though, especially for anyone interested in seeing how Schmidt’s themes and audience focus evolve over time.