Books On Board
series Reading Order

Geronimo Stilton: Thea Stilton Books in Order

37 Books
2009 – 2014 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with Thea Stilton

If you are new to the whisker-twitching world of Whale Island, the best place to start is with the very first book, Thea Stilton and the Dragon's Code. Published in English in 2009, this book introduces you to Thea Stilton, her role as a guest lecturer at Mouseford Academy, and the five brave students who form the Thea Sisters: Nicky, Colette, Violet, Paulina, and Pamela.

Because the main books are largely episodic mysteries set in various real-world countries, you do not strictly need to read them in order. However, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to watch the friendships between the main characters grow and evolve naturally from their first meeting.

Publication Order of the Main Thea Stilton Series

The core series follows the group traveling to different countries, solving cultural mysteries, and saving the day. Here is the complete chronological order of release for the main series:

  1. Thea Stilton and the Dragon's Code (2009)
  2. Thea Stilton and the Mountain of Fire (2009)
  3. Thea Stilton and the Ghost of the Shipwreck (2010)
  4. Thea Stilton and the Secret City (2010)
  5. Thea Stilton and the Mystery in Paris (2010)
  6. Thea Stilton and the Cherry Blossom Adventure (2011)
  7. Thea Stilton and the Star Castaways (2011)
  8. Big Trouble in the Big Apple (2011)
  9. Thea Stilton and the Ice Treasure (2011)
  10. Thea Stilton and the Secret of the Old Castle (2012)
  11. Thea Stilton and the Blue Scarab Hunt (2012)
  12. Thea Stilton and the Prince's Emerald (2012)
  13. Thea Stilton and the Mystery on the Orient Express (2012)
  14. Thea Stilton and the Dancing Shadows (2013)
  15. Thea Stilton and the Legend of the Fire Flowers (2013)
  16. Thea Stilton and the Spanish Dance Mission (2013)
  17. Thea Stilton and the Journey to the Lion's Den (2013)
  18. Thea Stilton and the Great Tulip Heist (2014)
  19. Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage (2014)
  20. Thea Stilton and the Missing Myth (2014)
  21. Thea Stilton and the Lost Letters (2015)
  22. Thea Stilton and the Tropical Treasure (2015)
  23. Thea Stilton and the Hollywood Hoax (2016)
  24. Thea Stilton and the Madagascar Madness (2016)
  25. Thea Stilton and the Frozen Fiasco (2017)
  26. Thea Stilton and the Venice Masquerade (2017)
  27. Thea Stilton and the Niagara Splash (2018)
  28. Thea Stilton and the Riddle of the Ruins (2018)
  29. The Phantom of the Orchestra (2019)
  30. Black Forest Burglary (2019)
  31. Race for the Gold (2020)
  32. The Rainforest Rescue (2020)
  33. The American Dream (2021)
  34. A Roman Holiday (2021)
  35. Fiesta in Mexico (2022)
  36. Cave of Stars (2023)
  37. The Ghost of The Woods (2024)

Understanding the Spin-offs and Special Editions

In addition to the main series, there are several key spin-offs that expand on the characters and the lore of the Geronimo Stilton universe. These can generally be read alongside the main series or enjoyed as standalone books once you are familiar with the characters.

Thea Stilton Special Editions

Unlike the realistic geographical settings of the main series, the Special Editions feature longer stories that incorporate fantasy, magic, and mythical realms. Here are the release years for the English editions:

  • The Journey to Atlantis (2012)
  • The Secret of the Fairies (2013)
  • The Secret of the Snow (2014)
  • The Cloud Castle (2015)
  • The Treasure of the Sea (2016)
  • The Land of Flowers (2017)
  • The Secret of the Crystal Fairies (2018)
  • The Dance of the Star Fairies (2019)
  • The Magic of the Mirror (2020)

Thea Stilton: Mouseford Academy Series

This series focuses on the everyday lives of the Thea Sisters as they attend Mouseford Academy on Whale Island. Rather than traveling the globe, these stories deal with school projects, theatrical plays, sports competitions, and solving localized school mysteries. Popular titles in this subseries include Drama at Mouseford, The Missing Diary, and Mouselets in Danger.

Thea Stilton and the Treasure Seekers

A smaller, targeted trilogy involving epic quests to find legendary artifacts:

  1. The Treasure Seekers (2019)
  2. The Compass of the Stars (2020)
  3. The Enchanted Labyrinth (2021)

What to Know Before You Start

The books are credited directly to "Thea Stilton" as a pseudonym, but they are actually created by Italian author Elisabetta Dami. Unlike the original Geronimo Stilton books—where Geronimo is a reluctant, homebody hero who gets dragged into adventures—Thea Stilton is a confident, fearless, and active globetrotter who loves research, sports, and journalism. The series is celebrated for empowering young readers, particularly girls, with strong themes of diversity, intelligence, and teamwork.

Frequently Asked

QDo you need to read the Thea Stilton books in order?

No, the books are mostly standalone mysteries. However, reading them in order helps you understand how the Thea Sisters first met and how their friendships developed over time.

QWhat is the difference between the main series and the Special Editions?

The main series features realistic, real-world travel mysteries. The Special Edition books are longer, deluxe editions that delve into magical and fantasy worlds like Atlantis and fairy realms.

QWho actually writes the Thea Stilton books?

Although they are published under the pseudonym Thea Stilton, the books were created by Italian author Elisabetta Dami, the same creator behind the original Geronimo Stilton series.

QAt what age should children start reading Thea Stilton?

The series is designed for children aged 7 to 12 years old, utilizing large colorful text, playful typography, and full-color illustrations to engage early readers.

QHow does the Mouseford Academy series fit in?

The Mouseford Academy books are a slice-of-life spin-off focused on the daily lives of the Thea Sisters at school on Whale Island, making them great companions to the main travel-based series.