First Book Books in Order
First Book is a 15-book series by Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell for ages 9+, at a grades 6–8 reading level, with gentle to moderate content (HootRated intensity 1–3 out of 5).
- Books
- 15
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Gentle to moderate
- HootRated 1–3 out of 5 · avg 1.4
First Book Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most First Book books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The first flight 1990 · Richard L. Taylor | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 2 | Robert E. Lee 1993 · Marian G. Cannon | Level 7-8 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 3 | Auroras 1995 · Donna Walsh Shepherd | Level 7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 4 | The story of hydrogen 1995 · Mark Uehling | Level 7-8 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 5 | Dead log alive! 1996 · Jo S. Kittinger | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 6 | The Abenaki 1996 · Elaine Landau | Level 7-8 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 7 | Norman Rockwell 1997 · Joel H. Cohen | Level 7-8 | 13+ | Gentle |
| 8 | Women at the front 1997 · Jean F. Blashfield | Level 7-8 | 13+ | Mild |
| 9 | A Forest's Life 1998 · Cathy Mania | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 10 | Animal dazzlers The Role of Brilliant Colors in Nature 1998 · Sneed B. Collard | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 11 | Fountains of life 1998 | Level 7-8 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 12 | Limestone caves 1998 · Roy A. Gallant | Level 7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 13 | Slaves to Soldiers African-American Fighting Men in the Civil War 1998 · Wallace B. Black | Level 7-8 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 14 | Wild children 1998 · Elaine Landau | Level 7-8 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 15 | Life in the deep sea 1999 | Level 6-7 | 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. First Book (15 books by Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell) lands at a grades 6–8 reading level, with average content intensity 1.4/5. 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 First Book Books
The first flight
Richard L. Taylor
The first flight
Richard L. Taylor
Robert E. Lee
Marian G. Cannon
Robert E. Lee
Marian G. Cannon
Auroras
Donna Walsh Shepherd
Auroras
Donna Walsh Shepherd
The story of hydrogen
Mark Uehling
The story of hydrogen
Mark Uehling
Dead log alive!
Jo S. Kittinger
Dead log alive!
Jo S. Kittinger
The Abenaki
Elaine Landau
The Abenaki
Elaine Landau
Norman Rockwell
Joel H. Cohen
Norman Rockwell
Joel H. Cohen
Women at the front
Jean F. Blashfield
Women at the front
Jean F. Blashfield
A Forest's Life
Cathy Mania
A Forest's Life
Cathy Mania
Animal dazzlers
Sneed B. Collard
Animal dazzlers
Sneed B. Collard
Fountains of life
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Fountains of life
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Limestone caves
Roy A. Gallant
Limestone caves
Roy A. Gallant
Slaves to Soldiers
Wallace B. Black
Slaves to Soldiers
Wallace B. Black
Wild children
Elaine Landau
Wild children
Elaine Landau
Life in the deep sea
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Life in the deep sea
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Series Like First Book: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Countdown to Space by Michael D. Cole 28 books · Grades 5–8 · gentle to intense content
- California Missions (Cavendish Square) by Oscar Cantillo 17 books · Grades 6–8 · gentle to mild content
- America the Beautiful, Third Series (Revised) by Jean F. Blashfield 6 books · Grades 5–8 · gentle to very intense content
- Enchantment of the World, Second Series by Jean F. Blashfield 8 books · Grades 6–8 · gentle to intense content
- Seeds of a Nation by Patricia D. Netzley 4 books · Grades 6–7 · gentle to mild content
- Day With by Régine Pernoud 10 books · Grades 5–7 · gentle to mild content
Questions about the First Book series
- What reading level is the First Book series?
- First Book books are at a grades 6–8 reading level (average grade level 7.1), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9+. There are 15 books in the series.
- What order should I read the First Book books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most First Book books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The first flight (1990); Robert E. Lee (1993); Auroras (1995); The story of hydrogen (1995); Dead log alive! (1996); and 10 more.
- What age is the First Book series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends First Book for ages 9+. 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.