Hank Zipzer Books in Order

How to Start Reading Hank Zipzer

When diving into the creative and chaotic world of Hank Zipzer, readers have two main entry paths depending on the reader's age and reading level. Because the series spans multiple stages of Hank's life, you can choose between chronological order and publication order.

The Prequel Route (Chronological Order)

If you are introducing the series to younger readers (ages 6 to 8) or transitional readers who are just starting chapter books, the best place to start is the prequel series, Here's Hank. This 12-book series features Hank in the second grade. It acts as a chronological starting point and uses a specialized layout and font to help early readers build confidence before transitioning to the longer novels in the main series.

The Original Route (Publication Order)

For slightly older readers (ages 8 to 12) who enjoy traditional middle-grade humor, it is highly recommended to start with the original book, Niagara Falls, Or Does It?. This kicks off the 17-book series where Hank is a fourth-grader. Reading the books in publication order allows you to follow Hank's growth, friendships, and increasingly complex school challenges, culminating in his graduation to the fifth grade in the final book.

The Prequel Series: Here's Hank (Second Grade)

Published between 2014 and 2019, this prequel series introduces us to a younger Hank Zipzer. These stories are shorter, have larger illustrations, and are uniquely designed to support children with reading differences. They are the first books in the United States to be printed in the Dyslexie font—a custom typeface designed by Christian Boer that prevents letters from flipping or mirroring, making text much easier to parse.

Here is the list of the 12 Here's Hank prequels in publication and chronological order:

• Bookmarks are People Too! (2014) – Hank tries to land a role in the class play but struggles to memorize his lines.
• A Short Tale About a Long Dog (2014) – Hank finds a stray dachshund and tries to convince his parents to let him keep it.
• Stop That Frog! (2014) – Hank is chosen to care for the class pet frog, leading to a frantic rescue mission.
• Fake Snakes and Weird Wizards (2015) – Hank wants to perform magic at a birthday party but his tricks go awry.
• There's a Zombie in My Bathtub (2015) – A scary movie convinces Hank that his bathtub is haunted.
• How to Hug an Elephant (2015) – Hank gets creative to make a school trip to the zoo unforgettable.
• You Can't Drink a Meatball Through a Straw (2016) – Hank works at his family's deli but struggles with the orders.
• The Soggy, Foggy Campout (2016) – A backyard camping trip doesn't go quite as planned for Hank and his friends.
• Always Watch Out for the Flying Potato Salad! (2017) – School lunch turns into a comical food fight.
• Hooray! My Butt Left the Bench! (2017) – Hank finds his own unique way to shine during a sports game.
• Robot on the Loose (2018) – A science project robot goes rogue in the school hallways.
• Everybody is Somebody (2019) – Hank goes on a family road trip to a county fair, learning to appreciate his own talents.

The Main Series: Hank Zipzer (Fourth Grade)

The core series follows Hank as a fourth-grader navigating the New York Upper West Side. Hank's learning differences are central to the plot, but his resilience, loyalty to friends Ashley and Frankie, and humor steal the show. His chief obstacles are his strict teacher, Ms. Adolf, and the school bully, Nick 'the Tick' McKelty.

Here is the official publication order for the 17 main Hank Zipzer books:

1. Niagara Falls, Or Does It? (2003)
2. I Got a D in Salami (2003)
3. The Day of the Iguana (2003)
4. The Zippity Zinger (2003)
5. The Night I Flunked My Field Trip (2004)
6. Holy Enchilada! (2004)
7. Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade! (2005)
8. Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up? (2005)
9. My Secret Life as a Ping-Pong Wizard (2005)
10. My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat (2006)
11. The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down (2007)
12. Barfing in the Backseat (2007)
13. Who Ordered This Baby? Definitely Not Me! (2007)
14. The Life of Me (Enter At Your Own Risk) (2008)
15. A Tale of Two Tails (2008)
16. Dump Trucks and Dogsleds (2009)
17. A Brand-New Me! (2010)

The UK Editions & TV Tie-In Series

For readers in the UK, Australia, and the Commonwealth, the Hank Zipzer books were published by Walker Books with several localized titles. These editions were also updated as TV tie-ins to align with the popular CBBC television adaptation, which relocated the setting from New York to London.

If you are reading the UK editions, here is how they correspond to the original US titles:

• The Crazy Classroom Cascade corresponds to Niagara Falls, Or Does It?
• The Crunchy Pickle Disaster corresponds to I Got a D in Salami
• The Mutant Moth corresponds to The Day of the Iguana
• The Lucky Monkey Socks corresponds to The Zippity Zinger
• The Soggy School Trip corresponds to The Night I Flunked My Field Trip
• The Killer Chilli corresponds to Holy Enchilada!
• The Parent-Teacher Trouble corresponds to Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade!
• The Best Worst Summer Ever corresponds to Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?
• The World's Greatest Underachiever Is the Ping-Pong Wizard corresponds to My Secret Life as a Ping-Pong Wizard
• The House of Halloween Horrors corresponds to My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat
• The Cow Poo Treasure corresponds to Barfing in the Backseat
• Note: My Book of Pickles... Oops, I Mean Lists (2014) is a unique UK activity book filled with lists, quizzes, and fun facts.

What to Know Before You Start

A Story Born from Experience

The Hank Zipzer books were co-authored by Henry Winkler (best known as "The Fonz" on Happy Days) and children's author Lin Oliver. The series is deeply autobiographical; Winkler grew up with undiagnosed dyslexia and spent his childhood feeling like an underachiever. By writing Hank's adventures, Winkler wanted to provide children facing similar learning struggles with a relatable hero who succeeds through creativity and perseverance.

The TV Adaptation

The books were adapted into a highly successful CBBC television series running from 2014 to 2016, starring Nick James as Hank. Henry Winkler executive produced the show and played Mr. Rock—a compassionate music teacher who supports Hank. This character was based on Winkler's real-life high school music teacher, who was the only teacher to encourage his creative talents.

Practical Reader Advice

Are the books standalones?

While each book features a self-contained story with a complete resolution, we strongly recommend reading them in order. Doing so allows young readers to appreciate the continuing character growth, recurring inside jokes, and the shifting dynamics between Hank, his friends, and his teachers.

The Audiobook Experience

If your child is struggling to read the physical copies, try the audiobooks. They are narrated by Henry Winkler himself, whose warm, expressive, and humorous voice brings Hank's mishaps and triumphs to life perfectly.