Follow the full chronology
Begin with Ragweed, then read Ragweed & Poppy before continuing to Poppy.
Book Series · 7 Books
Poppy Stories Books
In order from Ragweed to Ragweed & Poppy.
Seven illustrated animal adventures about courageous mice, prickly porcupines, dangerous predators, and changing families in Dimwood Forest.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Poppy Books
Avi recommends a story-chronology order rather than publication order: Ragweed, Ragweed & Poppy, Poppy, Poppy & Rye, Ereth's Birthday, Poppy's Return, and Poppy & Ereth. Ragweed & Poppy was published last but belongs second because it shows how the two mice met.
Sources: Avi's official seven-book reading order, Avi on why chronology differs from publication order.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Although the heroes are small woodland animals, these are real survival adventures. Predators hunt mice, characters are injured, and important animals die, including a death early in Poppy that shapes the rest of the story. The scenes are suspenseful but not graphically described.
The books also explore controlling leaders, grief, courage, loyalty, marriage, parenthood, and growing older. Brian Floca's black-and-white illustrations add warmth, but sensitive readers may still need support with the losses.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Start with the original classic
Poppy was written first and can still be enjoyed as a strong standalone introduction to Dimwood Forest.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1999
Ragweed
By Avi, Brian Floca (Illustrator)
A young mouse named Ragweed leaves his home in the country to explore the city and gets caught up in a world of danger and adventure.
208 pages· 33,837 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
In reading order
Poppy Stories Series
7 books · Published 1995–2020
#1
Sale price
$958
Ragweed
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1999
A young mouse named Ragweed leaves his home in the country to explore the city and gets caught up in a world of danger and adventure.
#2
Sale price
$958
Ragweed & Poppy
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020
A daring mouse and a trapped friend forge an unexpected bond amidst forest adventures.
#3
Sale price
$958
Poppy
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1995
A daring mouse challenges a tyrannical owl to save her family.
#4
Sale price
$958
Poppy & Rye
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997
A deer mouse and a porcupine face beavers and danger to honor a lost love.
#5
Sale price
$958
Ereth's Birthday
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2000
A grumpy porcupine's birthday turns wild with fox kits, hunters, and a dangerous predator.
#6
Sale price
$958
Poppy's Return
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2005
Poppy returns to save her family, facing unexpected adventures with her son and quirky companions.
#7
Sale price
$958
Poppy & Ereth
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
A mouse's adventure leads to a mistaken funeral. Can she return home?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Poppy Stories series?
There are 7 books in the Poppy Stories series. It began with Ragweed in 1999, and the newest book, Ragweed & Poppy, was published in 2020.
What order should you read the Poppy Stories books in?
Start with Ragweed and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #7.
What ages are the Poppy Stories books best for?
The series is best for ages 7–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Poppy Stories book is the longest?
Ragweed & Poppy (Book #2) is the longest book in the series at 40,505 words (288 pages).
Which Poppy Stories book is the shortest?
Poppy (Book #3) is the shortest at 26,741 words (162 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Poppy Stories to life.
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