Chris Rylander Books in Order

Where to Start with Chris Rylander

If you are new to Chris Rylander's witty and fast-paced storytelling, the absolute best place to start is with his debut masterpiece, The Fourth Stall (2011). This book established his signature style—blending high-stakes, movie-style plots with the hilarious, messy realities of middle school. It is the perfect introduction to his work.

However, Rylander has written across a few distinct genres. Depending on your personal tastes, here are the three recommended entry points:

• For School-Yard Shenanigans & Mafia Humor: Start with The Fourth Stall (2011). It follows a sixth-grader who runs a fixer business from a school bathroom stall.
• For Middle-Grade Espionage & Gadgets: Start with Codename Zero (2014), the first book in the Codename Conspiracy trilogy, featuring an accidental teenage spy in North Dakota.
• For Modern Fantasy & Mythical Undergrounds: Start with The Legend of Greg (2018), the opening volume of An Epic Series of Failures, which brings dwarf lore into modern-day Chicago.

The Fourth Stall Series

This is the trilogy that launched Chris Rylander's career. It follows Mac and his best friend Vince, who run a highly organized business helping classmates solve their problems—ranging from forged hall passes to dealing with bullies—out of an abandoned boys' bathroom stall. Things get complicated when a legendary school bully threatens their operation, forcing them into a high-stakes turf war.

Reading Order: The series must be read in chronological publication order, as the characters grow older and the narrative stakes carry directly from one book to the next.

1. The Fourth Stall (Published in February 2011)
2. The Fourth Stall Part II (Published in 2012)
3. The Fourth Stall Part III (Published in 2013)

Note on Database Timelines: Some library databases mistakenly list the publication year of the first book as 2008 due to early copyright registration and pre-release listings, but the book was officially published and released to the public in February 2011.

The Codename Conspiracy Series (Codename Zero)

Switching gears from schoolyard crime syndicates to international espionage, this trilogy follows Carson Fender, a prank-loving boy in North Dakota who accidentally intercepts a package meant for a secret agent. Suddenly, he is recruited into a conspiracy to protect a highly sensitive computer program, all while trying to finish his homework and avoid getting grounded.

Reading Order: This series is a continuous narrative and should be read in order:

1. Codename Zero (Published in 2014)
2. Countdown Zero (Published in 2015)
3. Crisis Zero (Published in 2016)

An Epic Series of Failures (The Greg Belmont Books)

Rylander's foray into urban fantasy follows Greg Belmont, an ordinary kid in Chicago who discovers a shocking secret: he is actually a magical dwarf, and his father is a gargoyle. Hidden beneath the streets of Chicago is a massive conflict between dwarves and elves. The series is packed with mythical lore, Norse mythology influences, and Rylander's trademark humor.

Reading Order: Follow the progression of Greg's magical training and epic battles in this exact order:

1. The Legend of Greg (Published in 2018)
2. The Curse of Greg (Published in 2019)
3. The Rise of Greg (Published in 2020)

Collaborations & Standalone Novels

In addition to his main trilogies, Chris Rylander has contributed to other universes and penned sports-centric stories:

House of Secrets: Clash of the Worlds (2016)

Rylander co-authored Clash of the Worlds, the third and final book in the New York Times bestselling House of Secrets series, alongside film director Chris Columbus and author Ned Vizzini. While Columbus and Vizzini wrote the first two installments (House of Secrets and Battle of the Beasts), Rylander stepped in to help conclude the trilogy after Vizzini's passing, maintaining the series' whimsical and dark fantasy elements.

The Hurricanes of Weakerville (2022)

This standalone novel combines Rylander's love for baseball and statistics. It tells the story of Alex Weakland, a boy determined to save his family's minor league baseball team, the Weakerville Hurricanes, using wild theories, math, and pure determination. It is a heartfelt story about legacy, sports history, and community spirit.

Short Stories and Anthologies

For completionists, Rylander has published short fiction in popular middle-grade anthologies:

• "I Will Destroy You, Derek Jeter" (2012): A short story about a boy who blames baseball star Derek Jeter for all his personal misfortunes. It was published in the anthology Guys Read: The Sports Pages (edited by Jon Scieszka) and is also available as a standalone digital e-book and audiobook.
• "Been There, Done That" (2015): Rylander contributed a story to this collection edited by Mike Winchell, which features writers sharing the real-life childhood memories that inspired their fictional work.

What to Know Before You Start

Rylander's work is celebrated for its accessibility, making it highly recommended for reluctant readers. His books feature long, humorous, and descriptive chapter titles that mimic classic comedic literature. While the storylines are full of action and adventure, they are grounded in themes of loyalty, family dynamics, and the trial-and-error process of growing up. All of his main trilogies are self-contained, meaning you can read The Fourth Stall, Codename Conspiracy, and An Epic Series of Failures in any order you choose, as long as you read the individual books within those series sequentially.