Start with the children in the woods
Begin with The Mysterious Howling; the larger mystery will not make sense out of order.
Book Series · 6 Books
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Books
In order from The Mysterious Howling to The Long-Lost Home.
Six witty mysteries about fifteen-year-old governess Penelope Lumley, three children raised by wolves, and the peculiar family secrets hidden at Ashton Place.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Incorrigible Children Books
Read all six books in numbered order, beginning with The Mysterious Howling. Each volume offers a new comic predicament, but clues about the children, Penelope, and the Ashton family curse accumulate until the final book.
Sources: Maryrose Wood's official series order.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The playful narration softens a story that includes abandoned children, threatening and neglectful adults, an inherited curse, kidnapping, dangerous travel, and suspenseful escapes. Peril is not described graphically, and Penelope's steadiness gives the books a reassuring center.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1597
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
The Mysterious Howling
By Maryrose Wood, Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
A young governess must tame wild children with mysterious origins before a grand ball.
272 pages· 51,291 words· Est. 7 hour read
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Penelope Lumley faces an unusual challenge as the new governess at Ashton Place: taming three wild children found in the forest. As she teaches them manners and Latin, mysteries unfold. Who are these children, and why does the coachman lurk in shadows? With a holiday ball approaching, Penelope must unravel secrets and transform the Incorrigibles in time. Can she succeed, or will their wild nature prevail? Discover the truth behind their origins and the enigmatic happenings at Ashton Place.
In reading order
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Series
6 books · Published 2009–2018
#1
Sale price
$1597
The Mysterious Howling
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
A young governess must tame wild children with mysterious origins before a grand ball.
#2
Sale price
$1697
The Hidden Gallery
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
Wolf-raised children and their governess uncover secrets in London, facing wild challenges and mysterious pasts.
#3
Sale price
$1597
The Unseen Guest
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012
Wolf-raised children and their governess face family secrets and a runaway ostrich. Will they return to their wild ways?
#4
Sale price
$1597
The Interrupted Tale
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013
A governess must prove her students' worth to save her school and job amidst chaos.
#5
Sale price
$1498
The Unmapped Sea
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
A family curse threatens a new life. Can secrets at the seaside break it?
#6
Sale price
$1498
The Long-Lost Home
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
Can Penelope break the family curse before the next full moon seals their fate?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series?
There are 6 books in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. It began with The Mysterious Howling in 2009, and the newest book, The Long-Lost Home, was published in 2018.
What order should you read the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place books in?
Start with The Mysterious Howling and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #6.
What ages are the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place book is the longest?
The Long-Lost Home (Book #6) is the longest book in the series at 88,167 words (440 pages).
Which Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place book is the shortest?
The Mysterious Howling (Book #1) is the shortest at 51,291 words (272 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place to life.
Keep exploring
Similar Series
Peter and the Starcatchers
Ages 9–12
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Ages 8–12
Mo & Dale Mystery
Ages 9–13
Winterhouse
Ages 9–12
The Adventurer's Guide
Ages 8–12
Ella Enchanted
Ages 8–12
The War That Saved My Life
Ages 8–12
Peter Pan
Ages 8–12