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Jennifer L Holm Books in Order

Explore Jennifer L Holm books in order, from Babymouse and Sunny to her historical novels, with quick summaries, series guides, and where to start.

Last updated: July 4, 2026

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68 books

Our Only May Amelia

by Jennifer L Holm

1999

May Amelia Jackson is the only girl in her Washington settlement, and she is tired of being told to behave. Adventure, chores, and family hopes crowd her days along the Nasel River.

Boston Jane

by Jennifer L Holm

2001

In 1855, Philadelphia girl Jane Peck sails toward Washington Territory to marry her fiancé. The long voyage and rough frontier life prove tougher than finishing school ever prepared her for.

Wilderness Days

by Jennifer L Holm

2002

Jane Peck reaches Washington Territory expecting romance and refinement, and gets mud, hard work, and disappointment instead. Frontier life forces her to toughen up fast.

The Creek

by Jennifer L Holm

2003

When notorious Caleb Devlin returns, strange and frightening things start happening around Penny's neighborhood. She and her friends start investigating, but danger keeps edging closer.

The Claim

by Jennifer L Holm

2004

Seventeen-year-old Jane Peck has survived frontier life, but a polished rival from Philadelphia threatens her place in Washington Territory. Love, loyalty, and social games collide.

The Postman Always Brings Mice

by Jennifer L Holm

2004

After his British spy master dies, sophisticated cat James Edward Bristlefur lands with a suburban New Jersey family and the awful name Mr. Stink. He starts hunting a killer while adjusting to ordinary life.

To Scratch a Thief

by Jennifer L Holm

2004

Mr. Stink is settling into his new American home when a thief starts prowling nearby. His sharp instincts, and very wounded dignity, are both put to good use.

Our Hero

by Jennifer L Holm

2005

Babymouse faces her greatest school enemy yet, the annual dodgeball tournament. With Wilson's help, she has to find some courage before gym class destroys her.

Queen of the World!

by Jennifer L Holm

2005

Babymouse gets a shot at hanging out with the popular girls and thinks her moment has finally arrived. Then she has to decide what popularity is really worth.

You Only Have Nine Lives

by Jennifer L Holm

2005

Mr. Stink, once James Edward Bristlefur of British spy circles, heads to France with his new family and keeps chasing answers about his past. The cat-spy mystery grows bigger here.

Beach Babe

by Jennifer L Holm

2006

On a family beach vacation, Babymouse dreams of surfing stardom and endless fun. Wipeouts, sunburn, and little brother Squeak keep getting in the way.

Heartbreaker

by Jennifer L Holm

2006

Babymouse loves Valentine's Day until romance and a school dance enter the picture. Suddenly candy hearts and crush panic make a very dangerous combination.

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

by Jennifer L Holm

2006

Ginny's disastrous seventh-grade year is told through report cards, notes, lists, and other scraps of life. It's funny, messy, and painfully familiar in the best way.

Penny from Heaven

by Jennifer L Holm

2006

In 1953, eleven-year-old Penny navigates a noisy Italian American family, summer fun, and questions about her late father. Humor and heartbreak sit close together throughout.

Rock Star

by Jennifer L Holm

2006

Babymouse has music in her soul, but sadly not much in her flute. Big rock-star dreams meet the awkward reality of band class and stage fright.

Camp Babymouse

by Jennifer L Holm

2007

Off to camp, Babymouse expects fresh air, fun, and instant adventure. Getting lost in the wilderness was definitely not part of the dream.

Puppy Love

by Jennifer L Holm

2007

Babymouse desperately wants a dog, even though her history with pets is not exactly inspiring. The hunt for the perfect furry friend turns messy and sweet.

Skater Girl

by Jennifer L Holm

2007

Babymouse finally finds a talent on the ice and starts dreaming of medals. A possible shot at skating glory brings excitement, pressure, and slippery setbacks.

Monster Mash

by Jennifer L Holm

2008

Babymouse is determined to have the best Halloween costume and the best party. Spooky surprises, social worries, and locker weirdness make October especially dramatic.

Dragonslayer

by Jennifer L Holm

2009

In Babymouse's imagination, math becomes an epic quest full of darkness and danger. To help her school's team win, she has to face her personal dragon, numbers.

The Musical

by Jennifer L Holm

2009

Babymouse wants the lead in the school musical, but Felicia Furrypaws stands in the spotlight. Rehearsals, friendship, and backstage drama keep things moving fast.

Babymouse Burns Rubber

by Jennifer L Holm

2010

Babymouse and Wilson enter a big race and dream of speeding straight to victory. Their friendship and teamwork get a workout as the competition heats up.

Cupcake Tycoon

by Jennifer L Holm

2010

A school fundraiser turns into an all-out sales war, and Babymouse wants the grand prize badly. Beating Felicia matters almost as much as helping the library.

Turtle in Paradise

by Jennifer L Holm

2010

Sent to Key West during the Great Depression, sharp-tongued Turtle finds cousins, scams, and long-buried secrets. The heat is fierce, but the family story has real heart.

A Very Babymouse Christmas

by Jennifer L Holm

2011

The holidays are here, and Babymouse can think about only one thing, presents. Family traditions and gift fever send her racing toward a funny Christmas lesson.

Brave New Pond

by Jennifer L Holm

2011

Squish gets a chance to sit with the cool crowd and leave his old friends behind. The price of popularity turns out to be higher than he expected.

Mad Scientist

by Jennifer L Holm

2011

Babymouse enters the school science fair hoping for a prize-winning breakthrough. Instead she gets experiments, mayhem, and the first big appearance of Squish.

Super Amoeba

by Jennifer L Holm

2011

Squish is a comic-loving amoeba who wants to do the right thing, even when a bully makes school miserable. Science jokes and superhero daydreams keep the stakes lively.

The Trouble with May Amelia

by Jennifer L Holm

2011

In 1900 Washington, May Amelia still hates being told to act like a proper young lady. When a land deal goes wrong, she ends up blamed and has to find her footing again.

Babymouse for President

by Jennifer L Holm

2012

Election season hits school, and Babymouse is sure she should be student council president. Campaign promises, mean-girl politics, and locker-level chaos make this one especially sharp and funny.

Captain Disaster

by Jennifer L Holm

2012

Squish gets named captain of his soccer team, but leadership is harder than it sounds. Winning would be nice, yet helping his teammates matters even more.

Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick

by Jennifer L Holm

2012

Ginny goes into eighth grade with big plans, then family money trouble, a new baby, and social chaos throw everything off. The year unfolds through notes, lists, and all her stuff.

The Power of the Parasite

by Jennifer L Holm

2012

Summer camp sounds fun until Squish has to deal with swimming, a scary new friend, and his own nerves. Gross-out science and courage go hand in hand.

Extreme Babymouse

by Jennifer L Holm

2013

Babymouse hits the snowy slopes with huge winter-sports dreams and very little outdoor skill. Snowboarding, embarrassment, and stubborn determination collide in classic Babymouse style.

Game On!

by Jennifer L Holm

2013

Squish becomes obsessed with a new video game and starts letting real life slide. Sleep, school, and even comics suffer as the levels keep piling up.

Happy Birthday, Babymouse

by Jennifer L Holm

2013

Babymouse wants the biggest birthday ever, bigger than mountains, monuments, and maybe common sense. Planning the perfect celebration turns into a funny lesson in sky-high expectations.

Comics Squad

by Jennifer L Holm

2014

This all-star anthology serves up funny, fast-paced comics built around recess. Familiar creators and kid-sized chaos make it an easy, lively sampler for young graphic novel readers.

Fear the Amoeba

by Jennifer L Holm

2014

Squish wants to be brave, but horror movies and creeping fears get under his membrane. It's a funny story about anxiety, friendship, and learning that even heroes get scared.

The Fourteenth Goldfish

by Jennifer L Holm

2014

Ellie hates change until a strange teenage boy appears and seems a lot like her scientist grandfather. Science, immortality, and family collide in a smart, funny story.

Bad Babysitter

by Jennifer L Holm

2015

Babymouse wants money for all the cool things she craves, so babysitting seems like the answer. Then the triplets arrive, and easy cash turns into triple trouble.

Deadly Disease of Doom

by Jennifer L Holm

2015

Squish starts feeling awful and becomes sure he has caught something terrible. School science and full-blown panic make sickness both funny and dramatic.

Sunny Side Up

by Jennifer L Holm

2015

Sunny is sent to Florida for the summer and expects theme-park fun, but lands in a retirement community with Gramps. A new friend and a family secret change everything.

Babymouse Goes for the Gold

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

Babymouse joins the swim team and immediately starts dreaming of Olympic glory. Hard work, wet whiskers, and competitive nerves turn practice into a very funny sports adventure.

Full of Beans

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

In Depression-era Key West, ten-year-old Beans Curry is always looking for a scheme that might pay off. His hustles are funny, but hard times force him to grow up a little.

I'm Grumpy

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

A grumpy cloud hurts Sunny's feelings and has to make things right. It's a small, funny board book about moods, friendship, and learning to apologize.

I'm Sunny!

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

Sunny's cheerful energy ends up bothering a friend, and even bright days need apologies. A simple first comic about feelings, friendship, and making amends.

Little Babymouse and the Christmas Cupcakes

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

Babymouse gobbles Santa's cookies and decides cupcakes are the perfect replacement, until a dragon-sized problem crashes Christmas. A full-color holiday adventure with frosting, panic, and plenty of pink.

Lunch!

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

This comics anthology turns lunchtime into a playground for jokes, messes, and school-day adventures. A lineup of creators celebrates everybody's favorite part of the schedule.

Pod vs. Pod

by Jennifer L Holm

2016

Squish notices that his best friend Pod is acting especially strange. Their friendship gets tested in a gross, goofy school adventure full of science jokes.

I'm Scared

by Jennifer L Holm

2017

A worried little weather friend has to face fear with help from pals and simple comic-style storytelling. It's a gentle first comic about scary feelings and what helps them pass.

I'm Silly!

by Jennifer L Holm

2017

A goofy tornado gets carried away and wrecks a tea party. This first-comics board book uses simple visual storytelling to show how big feelings can spill onto friends.

Lights, Camera, Middle School!

by Jennifer L Holm

2017

Babymouse starts middle school and finds film club, mean girls, and cafeteria disasters waiting. Directing a school movie gives her a chance to shine, if she can avoid wiping out first.

Swing it, Sunny

by Jennifer L Holm

2017

Sunny heads into middle school while missing her brother Dale and pretending everything is fine. Friends, family trouble, and a new neighbor help her keep moving forward.

Miss Communication

by Jennifer L Holm

2018

Everyone in middle school seems to have a phone except Babymouse, until she finally gets one. Texts, social pressure, and misunderstandings make digital life more trouble than expected.

The Third Mushroom

by Jennifer L Holm

2018

Ellie and her grandfather Melvin, still stuck in a teenage body, team up for the science fair. Their search for eternal youth gets more urgent when Ellie's cat falls ill.

School-Tripped

by Jennifer L Holm

2019

A museum field trip sounds exciting until Babymouse winds up without a chaperone and in over her head. Freedom and panic make an unruly combination.

Sunny Rolls the Dice

by Jennifer L Holm

2019

Middle school gets confusing fast when everyone else seems obsessed with being cool. Sunny finds a better fit in a Dungeons and Dragons group where she can just have fun.

The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight

by Jennifer L Holm

2019

A spell-casting princess and a dragon-fighting knight look like total opposites, but they feel a lot like siblings. Their castle battles turn family friction into a funny fantasy.

Curtain Call

by Jennifer L Holm

2020

Feeling invisible, Babymouse auditions for the school play and dreams of instant fame. Instead she gets a tiny role, backstage disasters, and one more chance to save the show.

The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight Take Turns

by Jennifer L Holm

2020

Two very different royal siblings have to learn one very basic skill, taking turns. Their castle-sized squabble turns an everyday lesson into a playful fantasy battle.

Sunny Makes a Splash

by Jennifer L Holm

2021

Sunny is bored until a job at the community pool gives her a summer of freedom, work, and a maybe-crush. Her mom worries, but Sunny is ready to test her independence.

The Lion of Mars

by Jennifer L Holm

2021

Bell has grown up in a tiny colony on Mars where every rule matters. When a virus strikes and the adults disappear from daily life, he and the other children have to act.

Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel

by Jennifer L Holm

2021

In 1935, tough little Turtle is sent to Key West to live with relatives while her mother works. New family, old secrets, and buried treasure slowly crack her shell.

Whisker Wizard

by Jennifer L Holm

2021

Babymouse becomes a middle school whisker influencer and suddenly finds herself getting a lot more attention. Fame is fun until it starts tangling up real friendship.

Once Upon a Messy Whisker

by Jennifer L Holm

2022

In this full-color Babymouse adventure, Babymouse wishes her fantasies could come true and finally make life perfect. Instead, imagination and reality crash together in very funny ways.

Besties!

by Jennifer L Holm

2023

Wilson starts spending time with a talented new kid, and Babymouse does not like it one bit. Jealousy turns friendship into a competition she might regret.

Sunny Makes Her Case

by Jennifer L Holm

2024

Now older, Sunny helps start a debate team and begins figuring out what matters to her. School, confidence, and a first romance all move into the picture.

Outside

by Jennifer L Holm

2025

Raised inside an isolated compound, a girl slowly realizes her sheltered world is stranger than it seems. When she finally has to face the outside world, everything changes.

Where should I start?

If you want funny graphic novels: Queen of the World!Our HeroBeach Babe
If you want a heartfelt growing-up story: Sunny Side UpSwing it, SunnySunny Rolls the Dice
If you want smart, sciencey middle grade: The Fourteenth GoldfishThe Third Mushroom
If you want historical fiction with heart: Our Only May AmeliaTurtle in ParadisePenny from Heaven

Author bio

Jennifer L Holm was born in San Diego, California, in 1968, and spent parts of her childhood on Whidbey Island in Washington before growing up mostly in Audubon, Pennsylvania. She was the only girl among five children, which is a detail that shows up again and again in her books, especially the ones about girls trying to hold their own in loud, boy-heavy worlds.

Books were there early.

She has talked about reading so much as a kid that she could rake the lawn with one hand and keep a book open with the other. Her father was a pediatrician and her mother a pediatric nurse, and home life seems to have been busy, practical, and full of stories. She also grew up loving comic strips and the big Sunday funny pages, which helps explain why her graphic novels feel so natural and playful.

Holm started writing seriously while she was a student at Dickinson College. After graduation, she moved to New York City and worked as a broadcast producer on television commercials and music videos. It was steady creative work, but writing fiction kept pulling at her, and in time that became the job that stuck.

Her first published novel, Our Only May Amelia, came from family history and a diary written by her great-aunt. The book, about a spirited girl in pioneer Washington, went on to receive a Newbery Honor. That mix of family lore, strong-willed kids, and American history became one of Holm's signatures.

She kept building from there. Penny from Heaven looks at an Italian American family in the 1950s through the eyes of an eleven-year-old girl. Turtle in Paradise heads to Depression-era Key West, with a sharp, funny heroine who does not have much use for fairy-tale endings. Full of Beans returns to the same world from a cousin's point of view, with more schemes, more trouble, and a lot of warmth. Readers who like historical fiction often come to Holm because she makes the past feel lived in, not dressed up.

She also knows how to be very funny.

With her brother Matthew Holm, she created the Babymouse books, the long-running graphic novel series about a messy, dramatic, imaginative mouse trying to survive school, friendship, and her own big feelings. The pair also made the Squish books, starring a comic-loving amoeba, and the Sunny graphic novels, which follow Sunny Lewin through family upheaval, middle school awkwardness, and the small victories of growing up. Between them, those books show how flexible Holm is. She can move from frontier farms to school lockers without missing a beat.

A lot of her stories circle the same things in different forms: family secrets, kids trying to make sense of grown-up problems, friendships that get messy, and young people learning how to be brave without turning into saints. Even in lighter books like The Fourteenth Goldfish, where a science experiment turns a grandfather into a teenager, the real engine is still family, change, and figuring out what matters.

Holm has received three Newbery Honors, for Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Turtle in Paradise, and a Scott O'Dell Award for Full of Beans. Babymouse for President won an Eisner Award, and her books have reached millions of readers.

She now lives in California with her husband, two children, and a trio of bossy cats. That sounds about right for a writer whose books are full of lively households, strong personalities, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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