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Mia Mayhem Books in Order

13 Books
2018 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Mia Mayhem

For the best reading experience, we highly recommend reading the Mia Mayhem series in its original publication order. Because the books are numbered and sequentially follow Mia’s training progress at the Program for In Training Superheroes (The PITS), reading them in sequence allows young readers to watch her powers grow and her friendships develop naturally.

While each book is designed to function as a self-contained story, the first book is absolutely essential because it establishes how Mia discovers her powers and is selected for the superhero academy. Skipping it will leave readers confused about the setting and key characters.

Mia Mayhem Books in Order

  1. Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero! (2018): Eight-year-old Mia Macarooney discovers she has super-strength and is invited to attend a secret after-school program for superheroes-in-training.
  2. Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly! (2018): Mia joins a beginner's flying class at school but struggles to get off the ground, requiring help from her best friend Eddie.
  3. Mia Mayhem vs. the Super Bully (2019): Mia faces off against a new student at the superhero academy who is a major bully, learning lessons about teamwork and humility.
  4. Mia Mayhem Breaks Down Walls (2019): Mia tries to control her extraordinary super-strength but ends up accidentally breaking a few walls during training.
  5. Mia Mayhem Stops Time! (2019): When Mia is granted the temporary ability to freeze time, she must figure out how to use it responsibly.
  6. Mia Mayhem vs. the Mighty Robot (2019): An exciting showdown occurs when Mia is tasked with helping defeat a rampaging giant robot.
  7. Mia Mayhem Gets X-Ray Specs (2020): Mia receives a pair of special high-tech glasses that let her see through objects, leading to hilarious complications.
  8. Mia Mayhem Steals the Show! (2020): Mia participates in a talent show at the superhero school, trying to find a non-destructive way to showcase her powers.
  9. Mia Mayhem and the Super Family Field Day (2020): A fun-filled field day event brings together the families of all the young superheroes-in-training.
  10. Mia Mayhem and the Super Switcheroo (2021): A mysterious mix-up causes Mia and her classmate to swap superpowers, forcing them to adapt quickly.
  11. Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves (2021): Mia takes her superhero adventures to the beach for water-based training and challenges.
  12. Mia Mayhem and the Cat Burglar (2022): Mia teams up with her chaotic pet cat, Chaos, to solve a mystery and catch a sneaky neighborhood thief.
  13. Mia Mayhem and the Wild Garden (2023): Mia deals with a wild, magical greenhouse garden that grows out of control at her superhero school.

What to Know Before You Start

The Mia Mayhem series is created by author Kara West and award-winning illustrator Leeza Hernandez. Published by Little Simon, a division of Simon & Schuster, the books are specifically engineered for early readers aged 5 to 9 (typically grades 1 to 3). They serve as a perfect bridge between picture books and traditional chapter books because they feature:

  • Large, highly readable typography.
  • Short, fast-paced chapters that build reading confidence.
  • Expressive black-and-white illustrations on almost every page.
  • Relatable themes of everyday school life mixed with magical superhero elements.

Diverse Representation and Themes

One of the standout features of the series is its diverse and inclusive cast of characters. Mia herself is a Black girl, providing crucial representation in the children's superhero genre. Additionally, the series naturally integrates characters with different backgrounds and abilities—such as a classmate with prosthetic legs—without turning their identities into the main plot point. The core themes focus on courage, self-acceptance, learning from mistakes, and building strong friendships.

Practical Reading Advice and Standalone Status

Can these books be read out of order? Yes, they can. Each book includes a brief recap of Mia's situation (her double life at Normal Elementary and The PITS) so that a reader picking up Book 7 or Book 10 won't be completely lost. However, character development, such as Mia's growing control over her super-strength and her relationships with classmates like Eddie, progresses linearly across the series.

Box Sets and Bind-up Collections

If you are looking to purchase the books, Simon & Schuster offers several convenient collections that compile multiple books in the series:

  • Mia Mayhem 4 Books in 1!: A handy single-volume bind-up containing the first four complete books.
  • The Mia Mayhem Collection Boxed Set: A boxed set featuring individual paperback editions of the first four books.
  • The Mia Mayhem Ten-Book Collection: A larger box set collecting the first ten adventures of the series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended age group for the Mia Mayhem series?

The series is designed for emerging readers aged 5–9 years old (roughly grades 1–3) who are transitioning from picture books to early chapter books.

QDo you need to read the Mia Mayhem books in order?

While each book is a self-contained story, it is highly recommended to start with the first book, Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!, to understand how Mia gets her powers and enters the superhero training academy.

QWho wrote and illustrated the Mia Mayhem books?

The series is written by Chicago-based author Kara West and illustrated by the award-winning artist Leeza Hernandez.

QHow many books are in the Mia Mayhem series?

As of June 2026, there are 13 primary books in the main series, with the latest book, Mia Mayhem and the Wild Garden, published in 2023.

QAre there box sets available for Mia Mayhem?

Yes, Simon & Schuster has released multiple collections, including a 4-in-1 bind-up volume, a 4-book boxed set, and a comprehensive 10-book boxed set.