Books On Board

Just William Books in Order

  • 42 Books
  • 1922 – 1937 Published

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How to Read the Just William Books

For more than a century, William Brown has remained the ultimate literary representative of boyhood rebellion, chaotic schemes, and well-meaning disasters. Written by Richmal Crompton and originally illustrated by Thomas Henry, the Just William series comprises dozens of books published between 1922 and 1970. Because almost all of these books are collections of standalone short stories rather than serialized novels, readers have incredible freedom in how they approach the series.

You do not need to follow a strict chronological storyline. Instead, you can pick up almost any book and immediately enjoy William’s attempts to outwit adults, avoid baths, and lead his gang, the Outlaws (consisting of Ginger, Douglas, and Henry), alongside their persistent tag-along, Violet Elizabeth Bott.

The Recommended Starting Point

If you want the classic experience, the best place to start is at the very beginning with the self-titled debut collection, Just William (1922). This book establishes the village setting, introduces William’s long-suffering family, and sets the tone for the lighthearted social satire that defines the entire series. Following it up with More William (1922) and William Again (1923) will give you the perfect foundation before you begin jumping around to later eras.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Continuity

In the world of Just William, chronological order is a paradox. Across forty-eight years of publication, William and his Outlaws never age—William is permanently eleven years old. However, the world around them changes dynamically. In the early 1920s books, William is dealing with silent films and post-WWI village life. By the 1940s, he is participating in Air Raid Precautions and dealing with evacuees. By the 1950s and 1960s, he is obsessed with space travel, television, pop singers, and rock 'n' roll.

Because of this, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. It offers a fascinating, humorous window into how British society changed mid-century, viewed through the lens of a boy who remains forever ageless. Let's look at the complete list of books to guide your journey.

The Complete Just William Book List

Below is the publication order of the William books, including the core collections, the single novel-length entry, and later posthumous compilations featured in standard reading lists:

  1. Just William (1922) – The collection that started it all, introducing William, his family, and his chaotic plans.
  2. More William (1922) – Contains classics like William's Christmas dinner and his adventures with a centipede.
  3. William Again (1923) – Further adventures of the Outlaws.
  4. Just William: Volume 3 (1923) – A vintage collection compiling early magazine stories.
  5. William the Fourth (1924) – Includes the famous story where William tries to sell Ginger's twin cousins.
  6. Still William (1925) – More village antics and clash with adult expectations.
  7. William the Conqueror (1926) – William continues his reign of good-natured terror.
  8. William the Outlaw (1927) – The Outlaws establish their dominance in the local woods.
  9. William in Trouble (1927) – A collection of some of William's most troublesome schemes.
  10. William the Good (1928) – William tries his hand at good deeds, with predictably disastrous results.
  11. William (1929) – Continued escapades in the English countryside.
  12. William the Bad (1930) – Featuring William's unique interpretation of morals.
  13. William's Happy Days (1930) – Classic summer and holiday-themed stories.
  14. William's Crowded Hours (1931) – Packed with fast-paced village schemes.
  15. William the Pirate (1932) – William and the gang take to the water.
  16. William The Rebel (1933) – Poking fun at political and social movements of the era.
  17. William the Gangster (1934) – Inspired by the American gangster movies of the 1930s.
  18. William the Detective (1935) – William attempts to solve local mysteries.
  19. Sweet William (1936) – Contrasting William's rough-and-tumble nature with polite society.
  20. William The Showman (1937) – William attempts to put on theatrical productions.
  21. William the Dictator (1938) – Satirizing the political climate of the late 1930s.
  22. William and Air Raid Precautions (1939) – The onset of World War II hits the village.
  23. William and the Evacuees (1940) – William tries to manage the children sent from the cities.
  24. William Does His Bit (1941) – Wartime scrap collection and home-front antics.
  25. William Carries On (1942) – Further wartime village stories.
  26. William And The Brains Trust (1945) – Reflecting the immediate post-war era.
  27. Just William's Luck (1948) – Crucially, this is the only full-length, continuous novel in the series, written to tie into the 1948 film adaptation.
  28. William the Bold (1950) – Entering the post-war mid-century period.
  29. William and the Tramp (1952) – Encounters with colorful local travelers.
  30. William and the Moon Rocket (1954) – Inspired by early space race excitement.
  31. William and the Space Animal (1956) – Continuing the science fiction themes of the 1950s.
  32. William's Television Show (1958) – William deals with the arrival of television culture in the village.
  33. William—the Explorer (1960) – The start of the 1960s adventures.
  34. William's Treasure Trove (1962) – Looking for hidden fortunes in the countryside.
  35. William and the Witch (1964) – Misadventures involving local superstitions.
  36. William And The Pop Singers (1965) – Capturing the height of British 1960s pop mania.
  37. William And The Masked Ranger (1966) – Inspired by popular Western TV shows.
  38. William the Superman (1968) – Adapting to the late 1960s culture.
  39. William the Lawless (1970) – The final original volume published posthumously.

Posthumous and Thematic Compilations

In addition to the original 38-book run, there are three notable collections published later that are highly popular among modern readers:

  • What's Wrong with Civilizashun and Other Important Ritings by Just William (1990) – A unique collection of short articles and essays written in William's own phonetic, misspelled voice, originally published in The Happy Mag between 1927 and 1933.
  • Just William at Christmas (2015) – A curated festive collection gathering all of William's winter holiday and Christmas stories.
  • William at War (2016) – A compilation of ten wartime stories, focusing on William's home-front efforts during World War II.

Practical Reader Advice

Because the stories are highly episodic, you can easily read the books out of order without losing track of the plot. The only true exception is Just William's Luck (1948), which should be read as a single continuous story rather than a collection of distinct episodes. If you are reading the books to children or listening to the acclaimed audiobooks narrated by Martin Jarvis, starting with thematic books like Just William at Christmas is a fantastic, accessible entry point during the holidays.

Frequently Asked

Can the Just William books be read out of order?

Yes. Except for Just William's Luck (which is a single novel), all the books are collections of standalone short stories. You can read them in any order without losing track of the plot.

What is the recommended starting point for the series?

New readers should start with the first book, Just William (1922), to get introduced to William, the Outlaws, and the classic tone of the series.

Why does the world change in Just William while the characters do not age?

Richmal Crompton wrote the stories over nearly fifty years. To keep them relatable, she updated the historical backdrop to match the era of writing, while keeping William permanently eleven years old.

Which Just William book is a full-length novel rather than short stories?

Just William's Luck (1948) is the only book in the series written as a continuous, novel-length story, created to tie in with the 1948 movie adaptation.

What is the book 'What's Wrong with Civilizashun'?

It is a 1990 collection compiling humorous essays and articles written by Richmal Crompton from William's perspective, featuring his signature phonetic spelling and blunt worldview.

Are there modern thematic Just William collections?

Yes. Collections like Just William at Christmas (2015) and William at War (2016) compile stories from the original books based on holiday or wartime themes.