Books On Board
series Reading Order

Ashbury/Brookfield Books in Order

5 Books
2000 – 2009 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

While each book in the Ashbury/Brookfield universe is written as a standalone story with its own unique focus, they are set in the same community and feature overlapping characters. To get the most out of the references, cameo appearances, and character development, we strongly recommend reading them in publication order.

  1. Feeling Sorry for Celia (2000)
  2. The Year of Secret Assignments (2003)
  3. The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie (2006)
  4. Dreaming of Amelia (2009)

Understanding the Alternate International Titles

Depending on where you are buying or borrowing your books, you might find them under different titles. Because the series was published with regional variations, navigating the bookshelves can get a bit confusing. Here is the breakdown of the alternative titles for each installment:

  • Book 1: Feeling Sorry for Celia — This debut novel kept the same title globally.
  • Book 2: The Year of Secret Assignments — Originally published in Australia as Finding Cassie Crazy.
  • Book 3: The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie — Published in Australia as The Betrayal of Bindy Mackenzie, and in the United Kingdom as Becoming Bindy Mackenzie.
  • Book 4: Dreaming of Amelia — Released in the United States and United Kingdom under the title The Ghosts of Ashbury High.

What Makes the Series Special?

Set against the backdrop of two rival high schools in Sydney, Australia—the affluent Ashbury High and the more down-to-earth Brookfield High—Moriarty's novels explore the turbulent waters of adolescence. The books are written entirely in epistolary formats, utilizing letters, emails, journal entries, school reports, meeting minutes, and even exam essays. This styling allows the authentic, distinct voices of the teenagers to shine through directly, blending mystery, humor, and poignant moments of self-discovery.

Spin-Offs and Wider Universe Connections

Jaclyn Moriarty has written other popular books, including fantasy series like The Colours of Madeleine trilogy and the middle-grade Kingdoms and Empires series. However, these exist in entirely separate universes. The Ashbury/Brookfield series remains a self-contained tetralogy, with no official crossovers or spin-offs outside the four core novels.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Ashbury/Brookfield series?

You should start with Feeling Sorry for Celia, which is the first book in the series and introduces the shared high school universe.

QAre 'Dreaming of Amelia' and 'The Ghosts of Ashbury High' the same book?

Yes. Dreaming of Amelia is the original Australian title, while The Ghosts of Ashbury High is the title used for the US and UK editions.

QWhat is the Australian title for 'The Year of Secret Assignments'?

In Australia, the second book is titled Finding Cassie Crazy.

QHow many titles does the third book, Bindy Mackenzie, have?

It has three: The Betrayal of Bindy Mackenzie (Australia), The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie (US), and Becoming Bindy Mackenzie (UK).

QCan the books be read out of order?

Yes, because each novel functions as a standalone story. However, reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the overlapping timelines and character cameos.

QAre there any fantasy elements in the Ashbury/Brookfield books?

No, the series is realistic contemporary young adult fiction, though The Ghosts of Ashbury High (also known as Dreaming of Amelia) plays with gothic themes and ghost stories.