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Quick answer: If your child liked Ever After High, read Shannon Hale's The Storybook of Legends, then try The School for Good and Evil, A Tale Dark and Grimm, Princess Academy and The Land of Stories. All reimagine fairy-tale characters at school with humor and heart.
Ever After High is a franchise about the children of famous fairy-tale figures, who must decide whether to follow their parents' stories. The first novels were written by Shannon Hale. The books below share that mix of school life, twisted tales and fairy-tale fun. Most are for ages 8 to 13, and all are real, in-print books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Storybook of Legends | Shannon Hale | 8–12 | the series starter |
| The Unfairest of Them All | Shannon Hale | 8–12 | series readers |
| A Wonderlandiful World | Shannon Hale | 8–12 | wordplay fans |
| The School for Good and Evil | Soman Chainani | 9–13 | fairy-tale school |
| A Tale Dark and Grimm | Adam Gidwitz | 9–13 | dark humor |
| Princess Academy | Shannon Hale | 9–13 | more Shannon Hale |
| Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunking Sorcery | Jen Calonita | 8–12 | fairy-tale mischief |
| The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell | Chris Colfer | 8–12 | storybook worlds |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | 8–12 | classic retellings |
| Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin | Liesl Shurtliff | 8–12 | villain stories |
| The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives | Michael Buckley | 8–12 | fairy-tale detectives |
| Rapunzel's Revenge | Shannon Hale and Dean Hale | 8–12 | graphic novel fans |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | Teen | older readers |
| Beastly | Alex Flinn | Teen | teen retellings |
| The Goose Girl | Shannon Hale | Teen | princess stories |
1. The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale
Apple White, the daughter of Snow White, and Raven Queen, the daughter of the Evil Queen, face their destinies at Ever After High. The first novel, funny and bright.
Best for: the series starter.
2. The Unfairest of Them All by Shannon Hale
The second book follows Raven and Apple as a looming Royal Rebel fight tests them. Light and breezy.
Best for: series readers.
3. A Wonderlandiful World by Shannon Hale
The third book sends the friends into Wonderland, with new characters and puns. Fast and silly.
Best for: wordplay fans.
4. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Two girls are taken to a school that trains fairy-tale heroes and villains, and each lands in the wrong place. Darker and bigger.
Best for: fairy-tale school.
5. A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Hansel and Gretel wander through other Grimm tales, told by a cheeky narrator. Funny, gruesome and clever.
Best for: dark humor.
6. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
A girl from a mountain village is sent to a school to prepare for the prince's choice. Warm and thoughtful.
Best for: more Shannon Hale.
7. Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunking Sorcery by Jen Calonita
Gilly is sent to a school for troublemakers who do bad things in fairy tales. Fun and fast.
Best for: fairy-tale mischief.
8. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a fairy-tale world and meet familiar characters in surprising roles. Light, funny and adventurous.
Best for: storybook worlds.
9. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A girl cursed to obey every order sets out to break the spell. A gentle and funny Cinderella retelling.
Best for: classic retellings.
10. Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff
Rump sets out to change his name and his fate. Witty and warm.
Best for: villain stories.
11. The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
Two sisters discover that fairy tales are real and they are descended from the Brothers Grimm. Mystery and humor.
Best for: fairy-tale detectives.
12. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
A graphic novel in which Rapunzel escapes her tower and travels through the Wild West. Fun and fast.
Best for: graphic novel fans.
13. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic is drawn into a royal plot. Cinderella meets science fiction.
Best for: older readers.
14. Beastly by Alex Flinn
A rich, cruel teen is turned into a beast and must learn to love. A modern Beauty and the Beast.
Best for: teen retellings.
15. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
A princess is betrayed and takes a job as a goose girl. Gentle and wise.
Best for: princess stories.
How to Choose
For more Ever After High, read the three Shannon Hale novels in order. For a darker version of the same idea, The School for Good and Evil. For humor, A Tale Dark and Grimm and Rump. For graphic novels, Rapunzel's Revenge. Read the fairy tales themselves to catch more jokes. Fairy-tale school stories are best enjoyed after you know the original tales. Read a few Grimm stories or fairy tale collections, and your child can spot the jokes. Libraries often keep fairy-tale shelves that include modern retellings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ever After High about?
The children of fairy-tale characters attend a school where they are expected to follow their parents' story paths, while some want to write their own.
Who wrote the Ever After High novels?
Shannon Hale wrote the first three books, based on the Mattel franchise.
What age is Ever After High for?
About 8 to 12.
Is Ever After High a series?
Yes. It also includes dolls, a web series and several books.
Is it similar to The School for Good and Evil?
Both are about fairy-tale schools, but Ever After High is lighter and more comic.
Do the Ever After High books follow the TV episodes?
They share characters, but the novels have their own plots.
Are these books good for reluctant readers?
Yes. The short chapters, jokes and familiar characters make them approachable.