Malory Towers Books in Order

The Recommended Malory Towers Reading Order

If you want to experience the complete journey of Malory Towers, the best path is the combined chronological and publication sequence. The series is divided into two distinct eras: the original six books written by Enid Blyton, which follow Darrell Rivers, and the six continuation novels by Pamela Cox, which follow Darrell's younger sister, Felicity Rivers. Additionally, there is a modern anthology of short stories set during the original timeline that can be read as a companion.

The Original Series by Enid Blyton

1. First Term at Malory Towers (1946): Twelve-year-old Darrell Rivers arrives at Malory Towers for her first term. She is eager to make a good impression, but she must navigate the challenges of making friends, dealing with the spoiled Gwendoline Mary Lacey, and learning to control her quick temper.
2. Second Form at Malory Towers (1947): Now in the Second Form, Darrell and her friends face new characters, including the quiet, mysterious girls and a new teacher. A series of thefts disrupts the form, forcing the girls to work together to find the culprit.
3. Third Year at Malory Towers (1948): The girls return for their third year, welcoming new American girl Zerelda and the musical Bill, who is obsessed with her horse. Friendship dynamics shift as the academic and athletic demands increase.
4. Upper Fourth at Malory Towers (1949): Darrell's younger sister, Felicity, joins the school as a first-former, while Darrell takes on the responsibility of being the head of the Upper Fourth. This term tests Darrell's leadership skills and her patience.
5. In the Fifth at Malory Towers (1950): The girls enter the Fifth Form and are tasked with producing the school pantomime. Writing, directing, and casting the play creates plenty of tension, but it also brings the girls closer together before their final year.
6. Last Term at Malory Towers (1951): Darrell's final term at Malory Towers is bittersweet. As Head Girl, she must guide the school while preparing for university and saying goodbye to the friends who have become her family.

The Continuation Series by Pamela Cox

7. New Term at Malory Towers (2009): Felicity Rivers is now in the third form, and she is joined by a new group of girls. She has to step up and lead her classmates through new adventures, midnight feasts, and school rivalries.
8. Summer Term at Malory Towers (2009): The summer term brings sunny days, swimming in the pool, and new mysteries. Felicity and her friends must deal with a series of misunderstandings and a difficult new girl who struggles to fit in.
9. Winter Term at Malory Towers (2009): Cold weather and indoor activities dominate this term. When a series of malicious tricks are played on the girls, Felicity is determined to find out who is responsible before the term ends.
10. Fun and Games at Malory Towers (2009): As the girls progress to the higher forms, they must balance their academic work with their love of fun and games. Old rivalries resurface, and the girls must learn to put their differences aside.
11. Secrets at Malory Towers (2009): The Fifth Form brings new responsibilities and hidden secrets. Felicity tries to help a classmate who is acting suspiciously, leading to a dramatic rescue and revealed truths.
12. Goodbye Malory Towers (2009): Felicity's final year at Malory Towers concludes the sequential story. Just like her sister Darrell, she reflects on her growth and prepares to leave the school she loves behind.

The Companion Anthology

• New Class at Malory Towers (2019): This collection of four short stories by contemporary children's authors is set during Darrell's original six-year run. It features new girls entering the school and interacting with Blyton's classic characters, offering a fresh perspective on life in the four towers.

The Heart of Darrell's Story: Blyton's Original Six

First published between 1946 and 1951, Enid Blyton's original six books are the core of the Malory Towers experience. Blyton wrote these stories to capture the camaraderie, moral lessons, and lighthearted fun of boarding school life. Set against the beautiful and dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast, the fictional school is famous for its four round towers (North, South, East, and West) and its magnificent cliffside swimming pool filled with seawater.

The original series is strictly chronological, tracking Darrell Rivers' growth from a hot-tempered twelve-year-old newcomer to a mature, responsible young woman ready for university. Throughout her journey, she is supported by a memorable cast of classmates, including the sensible Sally Hope, the humorous and sarcastic Alicia Johns, the timid Mary-Lou, and the boastful, spoiled Gwendoline Mary Lacey. Gwendoline serves as a recurring antagonist, whose refusal to learn from her mistakes provides a sharp contrast to Darrell's personal growth.

Continuing the Tradition: Pamela Cox's Sequel Series

For decades, Darrell's departure in Last Term at Malory Towers marked the end of the series. However, in 2009, author Pamela Cox was commissioned to write six continuation novels. These books seamlessly pick up the narrative by shifting the focus to Felicity Rivers, Darrell's younger sister, who was introduced as a minor character in the original books.

Cox's sequels mirror the structure of the original series, taking Felicity from the Third Form through her final year. The continuation series maintains Blyton's signature style, complete with midnight feasts, tricks played on unsuspecting French mistresses, and lessons in sportsmanship. Readers who finish the original six will find the continuation series to be a natural and satisfying extension of the Malory Towers universe.

Expanding the Universe: The 2019 Anthology

In 2019, to celebrate the enduring legacy of the school, Hachette Children's Group published New Class at Malory Towers. This book is a unique addition, containing four stories written by prominent modern children's authors: Patrice Lawrence, Lucy Mangan, Narinder Dhami, and Rebecca Westcott. Each story introduces a new girl who joins Darrell's class during the original timeline, tackling themes such as stress-induced alopecia, fitting in as an international student, and navigating family expectations. It is best read after finishing the original six books to fully appreciate the cameos and returning characters.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Malory Towers, modern readers should keep a few details in mind. Because the original books were written in the post-World War II era, they reflect the language, values, and social norms of mid-20th-century Britain. While the stories are full of warmth and wholesome fun, modern editions have undergone minor text revisions to update outdated terminology and ensure the books remain accessible and inclusive for today's children.

Additionally, the series has inspired several adaptations, most notably the popular 2020 CBBC and Family Channel television series. The TV show captures the spirit of Blyton's world but introduces new storylines and a more diverse cast, making it a great visual companion for young viewers who want to see Darrell and her friends come to life on screen.