Eliot Schrefer Books in Order

Where to Start with Eliot Schrefer

For most readers, the best place to begin is with Endangered (2012), the first novel in Schrefer's acclaimed Ape Quartet. This book perfectly encapsulates his signature style: a high-stakes survival story deeply rooted in ecological conservation, animal behavior, and the emotional bonds between humans and primates. It was a National Book Award finalist and serves as an excellent introduction to his work.

If you prefer science fiction or romance, your ideal starting point is The Darkness Outside Us (2021). This space-survival thriller features a compelling queer romance and complex mystery that has become one of Schrefer's most celebrated works. Younger readers or those who enjoy environmental fantasy should begin with Mez's Magic (2018), the opening book of The Lost Rainforest trilogy.

The Ape Quartet: Publication vs. Chronological Order

The Ape Quartet is Schrefer’s signature series. Each book focuses on a different species of great ape and a young protagonist fighting for survival alongside them. While the books are largely companion novels with distinct characters and settings, they share thematic continuity and build on Schrefer's deep study of primate biology.

Publication Order

• Endangered (2012) – Focuses on bonobos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Threatened (2014) – Focuses on chimpanzees in Gabon.
• Rescued (2016) – Focuses on a captive orangutan in the United States and its journey back to Indonesia.
• Orphaned (2018) – Focuses on gorillas in prehistoric East Africa.

The Chronological Twist

Chronologically, the series order is unusual. The final book, Orphaned, is set 600,000 years ago during the Paleolithic era and is told from the perspective of an ancient gorilla. The first three books are all set in the modern day. While you could technically read Orphaned first, publication order is highly recommended. Experiencing the modern-day conservation crises first makes the evolutionary themes and ancestral connections in Orphaned far more impactful.

The Darkness Outside Us Duology

Schrefer's venture into young adult science fiction has been incredibly popular, particularly with LGBTQ+ readers. This story is a direct narrative that must be read in order:

1. The Darkness Outside Us (2021)
2. The Brightness Between Us (2024)

The first book follows two boys from rival countries on a joint space mission who must work together to survive when their ship's AI proves unreliable. The sequel, The Brightness Between Us, takes place seventeen years later on a distant exoplanet, while also utilizing flashbacks to Earth thirty thousand years prior to explain the origins of their journey.

The Lost Rainforest Trilogy

For middle-grade readers, Schrefer created a magical fantasy world called Caldera, populated by animals with unique magical gifts. This trilogy should be read in chronological/publication order:

1. Mez's Magic (2018)
2. Gogi's Gambit (2019)
3. Rumi's Riddle (2020)

The story follows a group of animal companions—including a panther, a capuchin monkey, and a tree frog—as they unite to save their home from an ancient shadow. Each book shifts perspective to a different animal, deepening the magic and lore of Caldera.

The Animal Rescue Agency

Another series aimed at younger readers, this charming, illustrated middle-grade series combines humor with animal advocacy. It is best enjoyed in order:

1. Case File: Little Claws (2021)
2. Case File: Pangolin Pop Star (2022)

The books follow Esquire Fox (a fox) and Mr. Pepper (a land-dwelling polar bear) who run an agency dedicated to saving animals in danger from human exploitation.

Collaborative Worlds: The Spirit Animals Franchise

Eliot Schrefer was one of several authors selected to write for Scholastic's multi-platform Spirit Animals series. While the franchise contains many books, Schrefer contributed two specific entries:

• Rise and Fall (2014) – Book 6 of the original Spirit Animals series.
• Immortal Guardians (2015) – Book 1 of the sequel series, Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts.

If you are reading the series as a whole, you must follow the collaborative reading order established by the publisher. However, if you are strictly interested in Schrefer’s writing, Rise and Fall and Immortal Guardians showcase his talent for writing animal bonds, though they are tightly woven into the ongoing plot written by Brandon Mull, Maggie Stiefvater, and others.

Standalone Novels and Non-Fiction

Outside of his major series, Schrefer has written several diverse standalone projects spanning various genres:

• Glamorous Disasters (2006) – Schrefer's debut adult novel, a semi-autobiographical look at the world of elite private tutoring in Manhattan.
• The New Kid (2007) – His second adult novel, exploring social class and identity.
• The School for Dangerous Girls (2009) – A dark YA thriller set at an isolated reform school.
• The Deadly Sister (2010) – A YA murder mystery focused on sibling loyalty.
• The Popper Penguin Rescue (2020) – A modern, eco-conscious sequel to the 1938 classic children's book Mr. Popper's Penguins.
• Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) (2022) – A highly acclaimed, Printz Honor-winning non-fiction book that explores same-sex behavior and diversity in the animal kingdom.
• Charming Young Man (2023) – A historical YA novel set in Belle Époque Paris, exploring the life of real French pianist Léon Delafosse and his friendship with Marcel Proust.

What to Know Before You Start

Schrefer holds an M.A. in Animal Studies from NYU, and his academic background heavily informs his work. Whether he is writing about bonobos in the jungle or animal behavior in non-fiction, his books emphasize environmental science and conservation. Additionally, his recent work has placed a strong emphasis on queer representation, earning him accolades like the Stonewall Honor for The Darkness Outside Us. Expect emotional depth, moral complexity, and characters who must make difficult choices to protect the natural world and each other.