Books On Board
series Reading Order

St Clare’s Books in Order

6 Books
1941 – 1945 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Chronological Reading Order

For the best reading experience, we highly recommend following the chronological order. Although Enid Blyton originally skipped several school forms during the series' initial run in the 1940s, author Pamela Cox was authorized in the 2000s to fill in these gaps. Reading the series chronologically allows you to follow the twin sisters, Pat and Isabel O’Sullivan, step-by-step from their first day as snobbish newcomers in the First Form all the way to their final term in the Sixth Form.

  1. The Twins at St Clare's (Enid Blyton, 1941) – Covers the twins' first term (Autumn term) in the First Form as they struggle to adapt to their new school.
  2. The O'Sullivan Twins (Enid Blyton, 1942) – Covers the twins' second term (Easter term) in the First Form, introducing new classmates and schoolboy pranks.
  3. Summer Term at St Clare's (Enid Blyton, 1943) – Covers the final term (Summer term) of their first year, featuring drama surrounding Carlotta’s secret past.
  4. Second Form at St Clare's (Enid Blyton, 1944) – Follows the girls' adventures and new rivalries throughout their entire second-year stay.
  5. The Third Form at St Clare's (Pamela Cox, 2000) – The first fill-in novel, capturing the twins' entry into the Third Form, a period skipped in the original series.
  6. Kitty at St Clare's (Pamela Cox, 2008) – Set during the latter half of the Third Form, focusing on the arrival of the challenging new girl Kitty.
  7. Claudine at St Clare's (Enid Blyton, 1944) – Sets the stage in the Fourth Form, featuring the hilarious antics of Mam'zelle's French niece, Claudine.
  8. Fifth Formers of St Clare's (Enid Blyton, 1945) – The girls step up as Fifth Formers, taking on more responsibilities and preparing for their senior years.
  9. The Sixth Form at St Clare's (Pamela Cox, 2000) – The final chronological book, detailing the twins' final year at school and their emotional farewells.

The Original Publication Order (Enid Blyton Only)

If you prefer to read the series exactly as original fans did in the 1940s, you can stick strictly to Enid Blyton’s work. Blyton wrote six novels in total, capturing a compressed version of the twins' school years. Reading in this order means you will skip the Third and Sixth Forms entirely, jumping straight from the Second Form into the Fourth Form (Claudine) and ending in the Fifth Form.

  • The Twins at St Clare's (1941)
  • The O'Sullivan Twins (1942)
  • Summer Term at St Clare's (1943)
  • Second Form at St Clare's (1944)
  • Claudine at St Clare's (1944)
  • Fifth Formers of St Clare's (1945)

Understanding the Timeline: Blyton vs. Cox

Enid Blyton’s original run was published during World War II between 1941 and 1945. Blyton initially utilized a "one book per term" structure for the first year (Books 1 to 3), but soon realized that keeping this pace would require eighteen books to cover the full six years of school. To prevent the series from dragging, she accelerated the timeline. She moved the girls straight from the Second Form to the Fourth Form, bypassing the Third Form entirely, and ended the narrative at the Fifth Form.

Decades later, in 2000 and 2008, Pamela Cox was commissioned to write three official companion novels to bridge these narrative gaps. Cox added The Third Form at St Clare's and Kitty at St Clare's (both set in the Third Form), along with The Sixth Form at St Clare's to give the series a proper, satisfying conclusion that Blyton never wrote. These additions seamlessly match Blyton's original style and character voices, making the expanded 9-book chronological order the preferred choice for modern readers.

What to Know Before You Start

Unlike modern young adult literature, which often features serialized, high-stakes overarching plots, St Clare’s is delightfully episodic. Each book focuses on the cozy, daily dramas of mid-20th-century boarding school life—midnight feasts in the dormitories, lacrosse matches, classroom pranks, and the tension between keeping school rules and seeking adventure. It is an excellent series for younger readers who enjoy standalone stories with clear moral lessons about kindness, teamwork, and personal growth.

Readers should also be aware of the series' famous German adaptation. Known in Germany as Hanni und Nanni, the books were translated and localized, changing the twins' names to Hanni and Nanni Sullivan and their school to "Lindenhof." Because of the massive popularity of the German translations, local German publishers commissioned dozens of original spin-off books and multiple live-action films that expand far beyond Blyton's original six novels.

Practical Reader Advice

The absolute best place to start is with The Twins at St Clare's. While the episodic nature of the books means you can technically read them as standalones, starting from the beginning is vital to appreciating Pat and Isabel's character arcs. They begin the first book as snobbish, spoiled, and determined to hate St Clare’s, but gradually evolve into responsible, sensible, and beloved leaders of the school. Skip the temptation to jump around, and enjoy the progression of the school terms as Blyton and Cox intended.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the St Clare’s series?

You should always start with The Twins at St Clare's (1941). Starting here is essential for understanding the character development of Pat and Isabel O'Sullivan as they transition from snobbish twins to beloved classmates.

QCan the St Clare’s books be read out of order?

While the books are somewhat episodic, reading them out of order is not recommended. Following them chronologically allows you to see the girls grow up and progress through each school form.

QWho wrote the St Clare’s books?

Enid Blyton wrote the original six books in the 1940s. Author Pamela Cox later wrote three authorized additions (published in 2000 and 2008) to fill in skipped school forms.

QWhat is the difference between the chronological order and publication order?

The publication order follows Enid Blyton's original six books first, followed by Pamela Cox's later additions. The chronological order integrates Cox's books into the timeline to follow the school forms from First to Sixth sequentially.

QHow does St Clare’s compare to Malory Towers?

Both are classic boarding school series by Enid Blyton. St Clare’s was written first (starting in 1941) and focuses on the O'Sullivan twins, while Malory Towers (starting in 1946) follows Darrell Rivers and has a slightly different tone and structure.

QAre the German Hanni und Nanni books part of the main series?

The first six Hanni und Nanni books are translated versions of Enid Blyton's original novels. However, German publishers later commissioned dozens of unique, localized spin-offs that are not part of the official English canon.