Alan Gratz Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Alan Gratz

Because the vast majority of Alan Gratz's most famous and critically acclaimed works are standalone historical novels, there is no single, rigid chronological narrative you need to follow. Instead, the best way to approach his bibliography is by starting with his most celebrated works to get a feel for his writing style, and then exploring his historical novels, fantasy series, and mystery trilogies based on your interests.

If you are new to his books, the absolute best place to start is Refugee (2017). This bestselling novel weaves together three heart-wrenching stories of young refugees fleeing different conflicts across history. It perfectly showcases Gratz's trademark multi-perspective storytelling, cinematic pacing, and deep empathy. Alternatively, readers interested in World War II can start with Prisoner B-3087 (2013), which is based on the real-life survival story of Jack Gruener, or Ground Zero (2021) for a powerful, dual-timeline look at the events of September 11, 2001.

The Standalone Historical Fiction Masterpieces

Although these novels do not share characters or plotlines, reading them in publication order allows you to see how Gratz's historical research and narrative techniques have evolved over time. These books are widely used in middle-school classrooms due to their ability to make history feel immediate, urgent, and deeply human.

• Samurai Shortstop (2006) – Gratz's debut novel. Set in 1890s Tokyo, it tells the story of a boy navigating the traditional samurai code of bushido and the growing popularity of Western baseball.
• The Brooklyn Nine: A Novel in Nine Innings (2009) – A family saga tracking nine generations of a single family, each connected to the history of baseball in Brooklyn from the Civil War to the modern day.
• Fantasy Baseball (2011) – A lighthearted fantasy-adventure for slightly younger readers, where a boy finds himself in a magical land populated by classic fairy tale characters playing baseball.
• Prisoner B-3087 (2013) – Based on the true story of Ruth and Jack Gruener, this gripping novel follows a Polish Jewish boy who survives ten different Nazi concentration camps during WWII.
• Code of Honor (2015) – A contemporary action-thriller set in the United States, following a teenager who must clear his older brother's name after he is accused of joining a terrorist network.
• Projekt 1065 (2016) – A World War II espionage novel focusing on a young boy who is the son of the Irish ambassador in Nazi Germany. He joins the Hitler Youth to spy for the British.
• Refugee (2017) – Gratz's breakout hit. It follows Josef in Nazi-occupied Germany in 1938, Isabel in Cuba during the 1994 riots, and Mahmoud in Syria during the civil war in 2015.
• Ban This Book (2017) – A contemporary novel about a fourth-grader who starts a secret locker library to distribute books that have been banned by her school's board.
• Grenade (2018) – Set during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, this novel presents dual perspectives: a young native Okinawan student conscripted by the Japanese Army, and a young U.S. Marine.
• Allies (2019) – A multi-perspective exploration of D-Day, showcasing the coordinated invasion of Normandy from the viewpoints of American, Canadian, British, and French combatants.
• Ground Zero (2021) – Features two interconnected timelines: Brandon, a nine-year-old boy inside the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and Reshmina, an Afghan girl navigating conflict in her village in 2019.
• Two Degrees (2022) – A contemporary disaster thriller connecting three young characters facing climate-related emergencies: a wildfire in California, a hurricane in Florida, and a polar bear attack in northern Canada.
• Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor (2024) – A historical fiction novel centering on two best friends who witness the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor in 1941, while confronting rising anti-Japanese prejudice at home.
• War Games (2025) – A historical thriller centered on the high-stakes atmosphere and political tension of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
• Flight (Scheduled for 2026) – An upcoming thematic companion to Two Degrees, tracking two siblings fleeing danger in Honduras to reach the United States border.

The League of Seven Fantasy Trilogy

For readers who prefer steampunk, monsters, and alternate history, The League of Seven is a traditional trilogy where order matters. In this alternate Victorian era, giant monsters known as the Mangleborn threaten humanity, and a secret league of young heroes must band together to stop them.

To read the full story in chronological order, start with the prequel novella before moving to the main books:

1. Hero of the Five Points (2014) – A prequel novella set in 1853, following Dalton Dent as he tracks a creature through the slums of New York City.
2. The League of Seven (2014) – The first novel, introducing Archie Dent and the awakening of the Mangleborn.
3. The Dragon Lantern (2015) – The second novel, which follows the team's quest to find a powerful relic.
4. The Monster War (2016) – The thrilling conclusion to the trilogy.

The Horatio Wilkes Mystery Series

Gratz's first series consists of clever, modern-day young adult detective stories inspired by classic literature. The protagonist, Horatio Wilkes, is a snarky, tea-drinking teen sleuth who solves murder mysteries in the American South. The books should be read in publication order:

1. Something Rotten (2007) – A contemporary, hardboiled detective retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet, set in Denmark, Tennessee.
2. Something Wicked (2008) – A sequel that retells Shakespeare's Macbeth, set against the backdrop of a Scottish Highland festival.

Tie-Ins, Graphic Novels, and Anthologies

In addition to his original fiction, Gratz has written several tie-ins and collaborative projects that readers should keep in mind:

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2010 Series)

Gratz contributed to this collaborative, multi-author young adult series based on the characters from the 2009 Star Trek reboot film. While he only wrote the fourth book, readers can enjoy his contribution independently or alongside the rest of the series:

• Book 1: The Delta Anomaly (2010) – Written by Rick Barba.
• Book 2: The Edge (2010) – Written by Rudy Josephs.
• Book 3: The Gemini Agent (2011) – Written by Rick Barba.
• Book 4: The Assassination Game (2012) – Written by Alan Gratz, focusing on a mysterious conspiracy at the academy.

Graphic Novels & Short Stories

• Resist: A Story of D-Day (2019) – A historical companion novella to Allies, focusing on Samira, a young Algerian-French girl working for the French Resistance.
• Captain America: The Ghost Army (2023) – An original Marvel graphic novel set in WWII, where an eighteen-year-old Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes face a supernatural army of undead soldiers.
• Naked Came the Leaf Peeper (2011) – A collaborative, multi-author mystery novel set in North Carolina to which Gratz contributed a chapter.
• Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction (2012) – An anthology featuring Gratz's short story, "The Ghost Who Came to Breakfast," written to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan.

What to Know Before You Start

Alan Gratz does not shy away from the harsh realities of history. Whether writing about concentration camps, active combat zones, or natural disasters, he ensures his stories are thoroughly researched and grounded in historical truth. However, he carefully tailors the violence and heavy themes to be age-appropriate for middle-grade and young adult readers. His use of multiple protagonists allows readers to see conflicts from various viewpoints, promoting critical thinking and empathy rather than one-sided history lessons.