Start with Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
Book #1 introduces Amber, her best friend Justin, and the family changes that continue through later books.
Book Series · 12 Books
Amber Brown Books
In order from Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon to Amber Brown Horses Around.
Twelve warm, funny chapter books about an expressive girl working through friendship changes, divorce, shared custody, school, and growing up.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Amber Brown Books
Read the twelve prose novels in publication order, beginning with Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon. The books follow Amber from third grade onward, so her friendships and changing family life make the most sense in sequence.
The A Is for Amber early readers form a separate younger-reader line, while the graphic novels adapt the original stories. Neither belongs between the numbered prose novels.
Sources: Penguin Random House's Amber Brown series, Penguin Random House's A Is for Amber series.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Amber's parents are divorced, and the series follows her anger, sadness, and uncertainty as her father moves away, both parents begin new relationships, and shared-custody arrangements change. The emotions are honest but written with warmth and humor for elementary readers.
The books also include friendship breakups, jealousy, moving, school conflict, illness, and occasional impulsive choices. Amber does not always handle things perfectly, which gives families useful openings to talk about communication, loyalty, and adapting to family change.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1994
Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
By Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (Illustrator)
Best friends face separation and conflict. Can they mend their bond before it's too late?
80 pages· 7,973 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.8/7 Bookroo
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
In reading order
Amber Brown Series
12 books · Published 1994–2014
#1
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1994
Best friends face separation and conflict. Can they mend their bond before it's too late?
#2
Sale price
$674
You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1994
Amber's summer trip turns itchy with chicken pox. Can she still reunite her family?
#3
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Goes Fourth
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1995
Can Amber find a new best friend as she starts fourth grade alone?
#4
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1996
Amber faces chaos at home and school. Can she find balance?
#5
Sale price
$674
Forever Amber Brown
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1996
Amber faces upheaval as her mom's marriage decision looms.
#6
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Sees Red
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1998
A young girl navigates her parents' divorce and her own growth spurt.
#7
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1998
Amber must choose between parents for Thanksgiving, but a new classmate complicates everything.
#8
Sale price
$674
I, Amber Brown
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1999
Amber navigates shared custody and seeks independence through a bold decision.
#9
Sale price
$759
Amber Brown is Green with Envy
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2003
Amber faces family chaos as her parents' plans disrupt her world.
#10
Sale price
$759
Amber Brown Is Tickled Pink
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2012
Amber faces wedding chaos as family tensions rise and plans unravel.
#11
Sale price
$759
Amber Brown Is on the Move
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2013
Amber faces family changes, school tests, and a dance competition. Can she keep it together?
#12
Sale price
$674
Amber Brown Horses Around
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014
Summer camp pranks lead Amber to unexpected trouble and surprising changes.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Amber Brown series?
There are 12 books in the Amber Brown series. It began with Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon in 1994, and the newest book, Amber Brown Horses Around, was published in 2014.
What order should you read the Amber Brown books in?
Start with Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #12.
What ages are the Amber Brown books best for?
The series is best for ages 6–10, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Amber Brown to life.
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