Previously, I shared the huge list of contemporary book series for tween girls. This post will focus on classic book series for tween girls. These are books that have stood the test of time and still bring joy to readers.

You’ll notice that not all of them are what you might consider a classic like Chronicles of Narnia and Anne of Green Gables. Those are most definitely included, but so are other fun classics like Beverly Cleary’s series and The Baby-Sitters Club.

The Baby-Sitters Club books were a highlight of my late elementary/middle school years. They inspired me to take up babysitting, though I doubt I was half the babysitter that Kristy and the gang were. I just wished I was as cool as they were.

Series that are pre-2000 are included on this list. After 2000, they are on the contemporary list. This is no official rule I’m following, just the way I’ve decided to break this huge list up. Be sure to watch for the next list in this miniseries, biographical series for tween girls. Sign up for email updates to be sure you don’t miss it!

So let’s get started on today’s list. Again, I have included the age and grade recommendations that I could find and the first two or three titles from the series. Also again, I am making no assessment on content, that is for you to decide for your family.

Classic Book Series for Tween Girls

Sarah, Plain and Tall (6-10y, 1st-5th)

• Sarah, Plain and Tall
• Skylark
• Caleb’s Story

The Borrowers (7-10y, 2nd-5th)

• The Borrowers
• The Borrowers Afield
• The Borrowers Afloat

The Littles (7-10y, 2nd-5th)

• The Littles
• The Littles Take a Trip

The Boxcar Children (7y+, 2nd-5th)

• The Boxcar Children
• Surprise Island
• Yellow House Mystery

American Girls Collections (8y+, 3rd+)

These are the original, historical series.

• Kirsten
• Felicity
• Samantha

Betsy Tacy (8-12y, 2nd-5th)

• Betsy-Tacy
• Betsy-Tacy and Tib
• Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill

Ramona (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Beezus and Ramona
• Ramona the Pest
• Ramona the Brave

The Mouse and the Motorcycle (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Runaway Ralph
• Ralph S. Mouse

Little House on the Prairie (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Little House in the Big Woods
• Little House on the Prairie

Fudge Series (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing
• Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
• Superfudge

All-of-a-Kind Family (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• All-of-a-Kind Family
• More All-of-a-Kind Family
• All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown

The Baby-Sitters Club (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Kristy’s Great Idea
• Claudi and the Phantom Phone Calls
• Truth About Stacey

Anastasia Krupnik (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Anastasia Krupnik
• Anastasia Again!
• Anastasia at Your Service

Anne of Green Gables (8-12y, 3rd-7th)

• Anne of Green Gables
• Anne of Avonlea
• Anne of the Island

Chronicles of Narnia (8y+, 3rd+)

I’m going with the “reading in order of publication” crowd. That is why they are “out of order” based on some of the numbers on the books. Those are of the “reading in chronological order” variety.

• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Prince Caspian
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Mandie (8-13y, 3rd+)

• Mandie and the Secret Tunnel
• Mandy and the Cherokee Legend

The Moffats (10-12y, 5th-7th)

• The Moffats
• The Middle Moffat

That’s today’s list. Did I miss one that you think HAS to be on this list? Tell me about it in the comments!

Don’t miss the contemporary fiction list of book series for tween girls and the biographical series for tween girls, too!