New to the original books
Start with Sophia and Rainbow, which introduces the academy, unicorn bonding, and the island's magic.
Book Series · 12 Books
Unicorn Academy Books
In order from Sophia and Rainbow to Isla and Buttercup.
An illustrated fantasy series about girls paired with unicorn partners at a magical school, where friendship unlocks each unicorn's powers and helps protect Unicorn Island.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Unicorn Academy Books
Begin the original twelve-book series with Sophia and Rainbow and continue through Isla and Buttercup. Each book focuses on a different pair, while the school and threats to Unicorn Island connect the sequence.
Nature Magic and Treasure Hunt are separate four-book spinoffs. Read each in its own numbered order; neither needs to be inserted between specific original books.
Sophia's Invitation and Under the Fairy Moon follow the Netflix screen version. They use that adaptation's continuity and are optional tie-ins, not books #13 and #14 of Julie Sykes's original line.
Sources: Penguin Random House Unicorn Academy, Penguin Random House Nature Magic, Penguin Random House Treasure Hunt.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The stories include magical storms, caves and forests, villains trying to harm the school, fading unicorn magic, endangered animals, and children or unicorns in peril. Outcomes are reassuring and injuries are not graphic.
Partners may struggle to bond, feel afraid or left out, argue, make mistakes, or worry they will not graduate until they learn to trust and help one another.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Interested in nature
Start Nature Magic with Lily and Feather for environmental threats and nature-based powers.
Likes riddles and treasure
Start Treasure Hunt with Lyra and Misty, then follow the four connected clues in order.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$574
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018
Sophia and Rainbow
By Julie Sykes, Lucy Truman (Illustrator)
A young girl named Sophia starts at a magical school for unicorn riders and must navigate friendships, rivalries, and a mystery surrounding the school's magical lake.
128 pages· 11,328 words· Est. 2 hour read
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Sophia and her unicorn, Rainbow, face an unexpected challenge when Sparkle Lake, the source of unicorn magic, starts changing color. As chaos looms, they must venture into perilous woods to restore the magic. Will their bond be strong enough to save the day? Dive into a world where friendship and courage are the keys to unlocking magical adventures.
In reading order
Unicorn Academy Series
12 books · Published 2018–2021
#1
Sale price
$574
Sophia and Rainbow
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018
A young girl named Sophia starts at a magical school for unicorn riders and must navigate friendships, rivalries, and a mystery surrounding the school's magical lake.
#2
Sale price
$574
Scarlett and Blaze
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018
A young girl and her unicorn must work together to save their magical island home from a mysterious force that is causing the lake to freeze.
#3
Sale price
$574
Ava and Star
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018
A young girl and her unicorn partner go on a scavenger hunt to find rare items and discover the secrets of their magical world.
#4
Sale price
$574
Isabel and Cloud
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018
A young girl and her unicorn work together to save their school from a mysterious flood.
#5
Sale price
$674
Layla and Dancer
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018
A girl must conquer her fears to save a magical island's dying trees.
#6
Sale price
$674
Olivia and Snowflake
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018
Can Olivia and her unicorn stop a mysterious plot to ruin the graduation ball?
#7
Sale price
$674
Rosa and Crystal
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019
A broken map, a unicorn, and a quest to restore magic.
#8
Sale price
$674
Ariana and Whisper
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019
Unicorns and friends unite to save a magical forest from mysterious danger.
#9
Sale price
$674
Matilda and Pearl
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019
Can Matilda and her unicorn uncover the mystery threatening Unicorn Island's oldest tree?
#10
Sale price
$674
Freya and Honey
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021
Can Freya save the party and bond with her unicorn before time runs out?
#11
Sale price
$674
Violet and Twinkle
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021
Can Violet uncover her unicorn's secret before graduation?
#12
Sale price
$674
Isla and Buttercup
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021
Can Isla and her unicorn stop a magical theft and graduate?
Four-book environmental spinoff
Unicorn Academy: Nature Magic
4 books · Published 2021–2022
New students and unicorns discover nature-based powers while protecting the island.
#1
Sale price
$674
Lily and Feather
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2021
Can Lily and her unicorn stop mysterious tornadoes threatening Unicorn Island?
#2
Sale price
$674
Phoebe and Shimmer
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2021
Can Phoebe and her unicorn save the class from a beach disaster?
#3
Sale price
$674
Zara and Moonbeam
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021
A heatwave threatens Unicorn Island. Can Moonbeam's magic save Zara in time?
#4
Sale price
$674
Aisha and Silver
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2022
Can Aisha and her unicorn stop the hailstorms threatening Unicorn Island?
Four-book treasure spinoff
Unicorn Academy: Treasure Hunt
4 books · Published 2023
Four connected adventures follow a magical map, riddles, and new unicorn powers.
#1
Sale price
$674
Lyra and Misty
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2023
Uncover hidden treasure on Unicorn Island with a mysterious map and daring adventures.
#2
Sale price
$674
Evie and Sunshine
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2023
Uncover hidden treasure on Unicorn Island, but beware—danger lurks in unexpected accidents.
#3
Sale price
$674
Ivy and Flame
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2023
Can Ivy and her unicorn Flame find the treasure before magic goes awry?
#4
Sale price
$674
Sienna and Sparkle
Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023
Students and unicorns race to find hidden treasure before rivals do.
Netflix adaptation tie-ins
Unicorn Academy on Netflix
2 books · Published 2023–2024
These stories follow the screen adaptation's continuity and are separate from the original twelve-book sequence.
Sale price
$1398
Sophia's Invitation
Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023
A girl and her unicorn face an evil queen threatening their magical academy.
Sale price
$1398
Under the Fairy Moon
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2024
A young rider's bond with her unicorn is tested by danger and fading magic.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Unicorn Academy series?
There are 12 books in the Unicorn Academy series. It began with Sophia and Rainbow in 2018, and the newest book, Isla and Buttercup, was published in 2021.
What order should you read the Unicorn Academy books in?
Start with Sophia and Rainbow and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #12.
What ages are the Unicorn Academy books best for?
The series is best for ages 4–9, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Unicorn Academy to life.
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