Avi Books In Order

Publication Order of Beyond the Western Sea Books

Publication Order of Crispin Books

Publication Order of Dimwood Forest Books

Chronological Order of Dimwood Forest Books

Publication Order of Midnight Magic Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Avi

Working under the pen name of Avi, Edward Irving Wortis is an American author of children’s novels and Young Adult fiction. An imaginative and intelligent writer, his work stands out as some of the best of its genre, appealing to many readers from around the world. Drawing in an international audience, his stories resonate with many, regardless of who they are or where they’re from. Becoming a household name for many, his pseudonym of Avi is well regarded, as he always has something to say through his writing.

With a long and illustrious writing career, he has an extensive back-catalog of work, publishing a large number of books over the years. He’s also produced several series, too, ensuring his many young readers continue to come back for more time and time again. Publishing novels in several different genres, too, he’s created a variety of different stories making him one of the versatile authors currently working today. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery, or historical, he always manages to make the story his own, as it’s immediately identifiable to him.

His use of comedy is also notable as well, as he’s a writer known for his wit when the occasion calls for it. Creating characters that really stand out, too, many of his central protagonists have become hugely iconic in their own right. Making an impact upon the reader, they get to see the world through the character’s eyes, giving them a fresh and unique perspective. As more readers continue to discover his work from around the world, he isn’t disappearing any time soon either.

Early and Personal Life

Born and raised in the vicinity of New York City on the 23rd of December 1937, Edward Irving Wortis would grow up in Brooklyn. His parents were Helen Wortis, a social worker, and Joseph Wortis, a psychiatrist, and he would get the nickname ‘Avi’ from his sister when he was just one year old. Growing up with writers within his family, he was raised surrounded by literature, giving him a passion for it from an early age.

Transferred from Stuyvesant High School into a smaller private school, Elisabeth Irwin High School, he would receive treatment there for his dysgraphia. Overcoming this challenge early on, he would study with the tutor Ella Ratner, all while going to the library regularly with his sister on Fridays. Spending the 1980s and 1990s living in Providence in Rhode Island, he would later move to Colorado, living in the Rocky Mountains there with his wife, Linda Cruise Wright, where he continues to write to this day.

Writing Career

Over the duration of his career, Edward Irving Wortis has written over eighty novels and counting under the pen name of Avi. Largely writing for children, his books are aimed at a younger demographic, along with Young Adult readers too, writing in an assortment of different genres. Creating stand-alone works as well as series, he’d create several iconic characters too, such as his Charlotte Doyle character in 1990’s ‘The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.’

Throughout the years, he’s gone on to win many awards, too, including the Newbery Medal, as well as being runner-up for it twice. Producing many notable series too, such as the ‘Crispin’ series of novels, along with the ‘Midnight Magic’ and ‘Night Journeys’ too, he keeps the readers coming back for more time and time again. Gaining popularity all over, he continues to draw in readers from far and wide, maintaining a strong presence both online and off.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Initially brought out through the HarperTrophy publishing imprint, this would first be released back in 1990 on the 1st of September. Not a part of any book series; it’s a Young Adult novel with a historical setting featuring a young cast of characters at the center. Winning a Newbery Award and written under the pen-name of Avi, it’s definitely a must for any fans of the author and his work.

Being brought to trial and found guilty of murder, Charlotte Doyle is not an average thirteen-year-old girl by any standard. Here she relates her experiences to the reader, telling a story that happened many years ago after coming back from a long ocean voyage. Boarding a boat from an English boarding school, she’s all set to head back to New England and her family, but it appears that there’s mutiny in the air. How will her journey back fare, what exactly happened to her, and will the truth finally arise from the true confessions of Charlotte Doyle?

It’s easy to see why this book won an award, and it’s largely all thanks to the exciting and fun nature of its story. While it’s not so historically accurate, it focuses more on spinning an engaging yarn with a strong central character in the form of Charlotte Doyle. Making for a compelling novel, young readers will definitely enjoy this story, as it moves along at a well-managed and exciting pace.

Poppy

Originally released through the Scholastic publishing house, this was first published in 1995, on the 1st of September. It would be the second book in the ‘Dimwood Forest’ series of children’s stories, with it being based in the same world as before. Working essentially as stand-alone titles, they all take place in the same world whilst also being entirely separate to themselves.

Based upon the very edge of Dimwood Forest, there’s an old and charred oak tree, on which a horned owl sits, silhouetting the moon. The owl was known as Mr. Ocax, looking like death itself while piercing the lands with his ever stern and austere gaze. No animals dare cross his path, that is until two mice quietly step into his gaze after deciding to dance in the moonlight one fateful night. Where will their adventure take them, how will they fare against the owl, and what will finally become of the one known as Poppy?

Aimed at a lot younger readers, this book is easy to read for those just learning for the very first time, as it’s instantly accessible. With lyrical language throughout, it’s clearly imaginative, too, with a strong creative tone every single step of the way. The visuals are well done, too, conjuring up some very arresting images that will instantly grab the attention of its audience.