Monica Furlong Books In Order

Publication Order of Doran Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Children's Books

Publication Order of Poetry Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Monica Furlong was a British author, activist, and journalist.

Born in Kenton, Greater London, England on January 17, 1930, she was considered to be one of the Church of England’s most influential and creative people of the post-war period. She would pass away January 14, 2003.

A lot of her work was often centered around the topics of spirituality and religion. She also penned biographies of such people as Thomas Merton, John Bunyan, Therese of Lisieux, and Alan Watts. Monica also dove into subjects such as medieval women mystics, the spiritual life of aboriginals, and the Church of England.

Furlong was also recognized for her children’s novels, such as the Wise Child series. This series is made up of Wise Child, the novel Juniper, and Colman. She started her writing career in 1956, working for Truth magazine as a feature writer. She would go on to work for The Spectator as a religious correspondent and the Daily Mail.

Along the way, Monica became an advocate for religious reform. This specifically extended to supporting women’s rights inside the Church of England. Her first book was titled With Love to the Church. It came out in 1965 and inside this work, Monica fought for an inclusive church. In the 1980s, she continued her personal support of the ordination of women and advocated for women being appointed to senior Church positions.

She also wrote an autobiography titled Bird of Paradise. The 1995 book provided many personal insights not only into the author’s life but her career too. Her controversial experiences with acid were shared in Travelling In, a 1971 book which was actually banned from Church of Scotland bookshops.

Throughout the course of her career, the author wrote a lot all about spirituality, reform, and religious figures, growing to become a voice that was well respected in religious and literary circles.

Wise Child is the first in the series of children’s novels written by Monica Furlong carrying the same name. If you are interested in a classic type of story, then be sure to check this one out and see what you think!

Wise Child is nine years old when she is orphaned through the passing of her grandmother and is going through her father’s disappearance. She is taken in by Juniper, who is a healer and a sorceress, and takes care of her for awhile.

It isn’t too long before the younger girl discovers that she is thriving under the care of Juniper. She is learning a ton when it comes to herbal lore and introductory magic. She is starting to feel like this Scottish village could be her home, but all of that may soon be turned around when her mother (the black witch Maeve) comes back.

Now she has the option of choosing between Juniper and Maeve, and Wise Child doesn’t know what to do. She could stay here with Juniper and continue to flourish or she could depart with her mother Maeve and take on a life of luxury. In the course of deciding, Wise Child also begins to discover her personal supernatural powers which are growing as well as where her loyalty truly lies.

As things continue, the evil magic that Maeve wields, a plague, and the fears of the villagers may end up putting both Juniper and Wise Child in danger. Will they be able to make it out safely or will this ultimately take them down? Read this book to find out!

Juniper is technically the prequel to Wise Child but is more of a sequel written by the incredible Monica Furlong. It is the second in the series but is also referred to as a prequel. Either way, the fantasy has proven to be a favorite among readers, placing near the top of almost a hundred Best Of lists on the Goodreads website, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for highly rated young adult fiction or books with strong female characters.

Juniper is the daughter of a king in Cornwall and is enjoying the life in the lap of luxury that comes with being a princess in the medieval times. When she gets the chance to learn more about the magic that nature holds as well as its healing powers, Juniper goes for the more difficult route and takes on being an apprentice to nature’s wisdom.

Once Juniper completes her training, she decides to come home. There she finds her aunt Meroot mad with power who is using black magic to disrupt the throne and take it for herself. With all of the kingdom in danger, it’s time for this healer to use her powers– which are as of yet untested– and step in to stop her aunt before all of the kingdom is ultimately destroyed. Will she be able to do it, or will Juniper find that her skills are inadequate for the task? Read this book to find out!