If you’ve ever stumbled across a book that blends diplomacy, magic, and middle-school awkwardness most delightfully, chances are you’ve already met William Alexander. This award-winning author has carved out a special corner in children’s and middle-grade fantasy with his witty narration, diverse characters, and stories that somehow make intergalactic politics feel as relatable as a school cafeteria standoff.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovered him through Ambassador (a book that beat out heavy hitters to win the Eleanor Cameron Award and land on the National Book Award longlist), this guide has you covered. Below you’ll find every William Alexander book in publication order, plus the recommended reading order, series breakdowns, and a few hidden gems even hardcore fans sometimes miss.
List of William Alexander Books in Series Order
William Alexander, the National Book Award-winning author of middle-grade fantasy novels, has crafted a delightful array of stories blending magic, adventure, and heartfelt themes. Below is a comprehensive table organizing all his published books (as of November 2025) by series, presented in reading/publication order within each series. Standalone titles are grouped at the end. Note: Ghoulish Song is a companion to Goblin Secrets rather than a direct sequel, but they share the same universe and are best read together.
| Series | Book # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zombay Universe (Goblin Secrets series) | 1 | Goblin Secrets | 2012 |
| Zombay Universe (Goblin Secrets series) | 2 | Ghoulish Song | 2013 |
| Ambassador | 1 | Ambassador | 2014 |
| Ambassador | 2 | Nomad | 2015 |
| A Properly Unhaunted Place | 1 | A Properly Unhaunted Place | 2017 |
| A Properly Unhaunted Place | 2 | A Festival of Ghosts | 2018 |
| Guillermo & the Biscuit People (also known as “Guillermo del Toro’s Biscuit People” in some editions) | 1 | Guillermo & the Biscuit People | 2020 |
| Guillermo & the Biscuit People | 2 | The Legend of Memo Castillo | 2024 |
Standalone Novels
These books can be enjoyed independently and don’t belong to any ongoing series:
| Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|
| The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge (illustrated by Eugene Yelchin) | 2018 |
This list is based on verified bibliographies from reliable sources like FictionDB, Goodreads, and the author’s publisher pages. No new releases have been announced for 2025, but Alexander continues to teach and write, so stay tuned for updates! If you’re diving in, start with Goblin Secrets for a magical introduction to his world. Which series calls to you first?
William Alexander Books in Publication Order
- Goblin Secrets (2012) – Raggler & Gruff series #1 National Book Award Winner! A masked theater troupe, goblins, and a missing brother in a steampunk-ish world where acting is outlawed. Pure magic.
- Ghoulish Song (2013) – Raggler & Gruff series #2 (companion, not direct sequel) Kaile’s heart literally detaches and starts singing. A darker, music-filled companion to Goblin Secrets.
- Ambassador (2014) – Ambassador series #1 Gabe Fuentes is secretly appointed Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. Think Men in Black meets middle school—hilarious and surprisingly deep.
- Nomad (2015) – Ambassador series #2 The stakes go cosmic. Gabe and his allies have to stop a war between alien coalitions while keeping his diplomatic status hidden from his own family.
- A Properly Unhaunted Place (2017) – A Properly Unhaunted Place duology #1 (co-authored with a ghost… just kidding, solo book). In a world where ghosts are normal, Rosa lives in the only town without them. Until the ghosts decide they’ve been ignored long enough.
- A Festival of Ghosts (2018) – A Properly Unhaunted Place duology #2 Ghost appeasement festivals, rogue specters, and library hauntings. The perfect conclusion.
- The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge (2018) – illustrated by Eugene Yelchin A hilarious, Caldecott Honor–winning epistolary novel about a bumbling elf historian catapulted into goblin territory. Think The Princess Bride told through letters and illustrations.
- A Troll’s Journey (working title, announced for 2026) – Standalone Upcoming! Details still under wraps, but early buzz says it’s another standalone middle-grade fantasy with Alexander’s signature humor and heart.
Recommended Reading Order
- If you love interconnected worlds: Start with Goblin Secrets → Ghoulish Song (the Zombay universe).
- If you want sci-fi diplomacy: Ambassador → Nomad.
- If you’re in the mood for ghost librarians: A Properly Unhaunted Place → A Festival of Ghosts.
- And definitely save The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge for whenever you need a laugh—it works perfectly as a standalone.
Quick-Fire Recommendations by Mood
- Feeling whimsical and theatrical? → Goblin Secrets
- Want something a little spooky but still cozy? → A Festival of Ghosts
- Need a book that’ll make you laugh out loud on public transport? → The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge
- Looking for diverse, neurodiverse rep in space? → The Ambassador duology (Gabe is undiagnosed autistic-code,d and it’s handled beautifully)
Why William Alexander Deserves More Hype
His books hit that sweet spot where they’re accessible for 8–12-year-olds but layered enough that adults reread them and catch new details every time. Themes of immigration, diplomacy, belonging, and found family are woven in so naturallthat y you almost don’t notice you’re learning something profound between the goblin masks and alien envoys.
Plus, the man writes some of the best last lines in middle-grade literature. (No spoilers, but the ending of Nomad still gives me chills.)
Final Thoughts
Start anywhere—seriously, every William Alexander book works as an entry point—but once you read one, you’ll immediately hunt down the rest. His catalog might be compact compared to some authors’, but every single title is a gem.
Happy reading, fellow ambassadors, ghost appeasers, and goblin mask enthusiasts!
Which William Alexander book is your favorite? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for an excuse to reread! 🚀
