Ruby and the Booker Boys Books in Order

The Ruby and the Booker Boys books follow Ruby Marigold Booker, an eight-year-old third grader who has plenty of personality and no interest in fading into the background. Ruby is the youngest in her family, with three older brothers, Marcellus, Roosevelt, and Tyner, who are already stars in their own way. That would be enough pressure for any kid, but Ruby is not exactly built for staying quiet. She is funny, dramatic, smart, and determined to be remembered for being herself.

That is really the engine of the series.

The books begin with Brand New School, Brave New Ruby, when Ruby starts third grade at Hope Road Academy, the same school her brothers attend. From there, each story gives her a new challenge that feels big in the way childhood problems really do. In Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme, she wants to win an animal trivia contest. In Slumber Party Payback, she tries to turn a sleepover into sweet revenge on her prank-loving brother Roosevelt. In Ruby Flips For Attention, she gets pulled toward the sparkle and status of a drill team. The stakes are school-sized, but the feelings are huge.

What makes the series work is the world around Ruby. Her brothers may be popular and sometimes annoying, but they are part of a close family, not cartoon rivals. Her friend Theresa Petticoat gives the books another warm center, and the neighborhood feel, from Chill Brook Avenue to school hallways and family living rooms, keeps everything grounded. These are stories about everyday Black family life, friendship, and growing up, told with affection and a lot of comic energy.

Ruby is never short on self-belief.

Still, the books do not make her perfect. She can be impulsive, stubborn, and very sure she deserves the spotlight. That is part of the fun. Barnes lets Ruby chase attention, plot revenge, and dream big, while also nudging her toward better judgment. The lessons are there, but they do not take over. What comes through first is Ruby's voice, which is lively, confident, and always ready to tell you exactly how she sees things.

Readers should expect a warm, funny early chapter book series with short chapters, real kid problems, and a heroine who is easy to root for. The tone stays upbeat even when Ruby gets in over her head, and each book stands on its own while building the family and school world a little more. If you like chapter books about strong personalities, sibling chaos, school adventures, and kids finding their place, Ruby's books are a very easy place to settle in.