Classic Starts Books in Order
Classic Starts is a 7-book series by Deanna McFadden for ages 9–12, at a grades 3–5 reading level, with gentle to moderate content (HootRated intensity 1–3 out of 5).
- Books
- 7
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Gentle to moderate
- HootRated 1–3 out of 5 · avg 1.6
Classic Starts Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Classic Starts books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A little princess 2005 · Tania Zamorsky | Level 5 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 2 | Little Women Retold from the Louisa May Alcott Original 2005 | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 3 | Classic Starts The Prince and the Pauper (Classic Starts Series) 2007 · Mark Twain | Level 3-4 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 4 | Classic Starts The War of the Worlds (Classic Starts Series) 2007 · Chris Sasaki | Level 5-6 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 5 | Classic Starts Little Lord Fauntleroy (Classic Starts Series) 2008 · Frances Hodgson Burnett | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 6 | The voyages of Doctor Dolittle 2008 · Hugh Lofting | Level 3-4 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 7 | Little men 2009 | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Gentle |
Content Intensity Across the Series
VariesContent intensity ranges from Gentle to Moderate across the series.
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Classic Starts (7 books by Deanna McFadden) lands at a grades 3–5 reading level, with average content intensity 1.6/5. Intensity varies from book to book, so check individual ratings in the list above.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
All Classic Starts Books
A little princess
Tania Zamorsky
A little princess
Tania Zamorsky
Little Women
Deanna McFadden
Little Women
Deanna McFadden
Classic Starts
Mark Twain
Classic Starts
Mark Twain
Classic Starts
Chris Sasaki
Classic Starts
Chris Sasaki
Classic Starts
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Classic Starts
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The voyages of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
The voyages of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
Little men
Deanna McFadden
Little men
Deanna McFadden
Series Like Classic Starts: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- New True Books by Dennis B. Fradin 28 books · Grades 2–6 · gentle to intense content
- History Maker Bios (Lerner) by Candice F. Ransom 5 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle to moderate content
- Magic Tree House Fact Tracker by Mary Pope Osborne 14 books · Grades 3–6 · gentle to mild content
- Lost & Found (World Book) by Madeline King 6 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle to mild content
- Dinosaurs and Their Discoverers by Brooke Hartzog 3 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle content
- Princess School by Jane B. Mason 6 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle to intense content
Questions about the Classic Starts series
- What reading level is the Classic Starts series?
- Classic Starts books are at a grades 3–5 reading level (average grade level 4.5), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 7 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Classic Starts books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Classic Starts books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: A little princess (2005); Little Women (2005); Classic Starts: The Prince and the Pauper (Classic Starts Series) (2007); Classic Starts: The War of the Worlds (Classic Starts Series) (2007); Classic Starts: Little Lord Fauntleroy (Classic Starts Series) (2008); and 2 more.
- What age is the Classic Starts series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Classic Starts for ages 9–12. Content is gentle to moderate (HootRated intensity 1–3 out of 5). Intensity varies from book to book, so check individual ratings in the list above.