Can the Bennett's Island books be read as standalones?

While some books like The Dawning of the Day can be enjoyed on their own, it is highly recommended to read the series in order starting with High Tide at Noon to fully appreciate the generational growth and community dynamics of the island.

What is the difference between the Tide Trilogy and the Bennett's Island series?

The Tide Trilogy consists of the first three books: High Tide at Noon , Storm Tide , and The Ebbing Tide . The Bennett's Island series expands on this trilogy to include six additional novels tracking the island's characters over the subsequent decades.

Did Elisabeth Ogilvie write all the books in the Wildfire series?

No. Wildfire was a Scholastic imprint featuring books by many different writers. Ogilvie wrote only a handful of contributions, including Beautiful Girl and Too Young to Know .

Where is Bennett's Island in real life?

Bennett's Island is a fictionalized version of Criehaven Island (also known as Ragged Island), a remote island off the coast of Maine where Ogilvie spent her childhood summers.

Which historical novel by Elisabeth Ogilvie should I read first?

You should start with Jennie About to Be (1984), which begins her historical trilogy following Jennie's flight from Scotland to the American colonies.

Elisabeth Ogilvie Books in Order

Where to Start with Elisabeth Ogilvie

For readers looking to dive into the rugged, atmospheric world of coastal Maine, the absolute best starting point is High Tide at Noon (1944). This novel introduces readers to Bennett's Island and the headstrong Joanna Bennett, setting the tone for Ogilvie's signature style: rich character-driven narratives, tight-knit island communities, and a deep respect for the lobstering lifestyle. If you prefer historical fiction set across the Atlantic before transitioning to Maine, start with Jennie About to Be (1984), the first book in her acclaimed Jennie Trilogy.

The Bennett's Island Series (The Tide Sagas)

Often referred to as the Tide Books or the Joanna Bennett series, the Bennett's Island books are the cornerstone of Ogilvie's legacy. While the first three books are frequently grouped as the "Tide Trilogy," all nine novels form a continuous story of the island's families across generations. It is highly recommended to read them in publication order:

High Tide at Noon (1944)
Storm Tide (1945)
The Ebbing Tide (1947)
The Dawning of the Day (1954)
The Seasons Hereafter (1966)
Strawberries in the Sea (1977)
An Answer in the Tide (1978)
The Summer of the Osprey (1987)
The Day Before Winter (1991)

The Jennie Trilogy

This historical fiction series showcases Ogilvie's versatility, tracing the journey of a young woman from the harsh Highland Clearances of Scotland to the rocky shores of Maine. Read this trilogy in chronological order:

Jennie About to Be (1984)
The World of Jennie G. (1986)
Jennie Glenroy (1993)

Minor Series and Young Adult Duologies

Ogilvie also penned two shorter companion series that focus on younger protagonists and local mysteries:

The Cass Phillips Duology

Blueberry Summer (1956)
Fabulous Year (1964)

The Mirabelle Taggart Duology

Weep And Know Why (1972)
The Dreaming Swimmer (1976)

What to Know Before You Start: The Scholastic Wildfire Caveat

Bibliographies of Elisabeth Ogilvie often list a large number of books under the "Wildfire" banner. It is important for readers to know that Wildfire was a multi-author teen romance line published by Scholastic in the late 1970s and 1980s. While Ogilvie contributed several standalone teen romances to this line (such as Beautiful Girl in 1980 and Too Young to Know in 1982), many other titles in the collection—like The Summer of the Sky-Blue Bikini—were written by other authors. Readers seeking Ogilvie's specific voice should search by her author name rather than the Wildfire series title.

Memoirs and Standalones

Beyond her series, Ogilvie wrote over two dozen standalone novels, including gothic mysteries like The Witch Door (1959). For fans who want to understand the real-life inspiration behind Bennett's Island, her memoir My World Is an Island (1950) offers a delightful look at her life on Gay Island, Maine, where she lived for over 50 years.