Judith Viorst has published 6 novels, 1 novella, 1 non-fiction book, 17 children's books, 9 poetry collections and 8 other books, beginning with I'll Fix Anthony (1969). The best-known is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972). The latest is Lulu Is Getting a Sister (who Wants Her? Who Needs Her?) (2018).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Judith Viorst
Start here
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst's most-read book.
Newest
Lulu Is Getting a Sister (who Wants Her? Who Needs Her?)
Published 2018.
Standalone novels in order
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (1987)
Sunday Morning (1992)
Murdering Mr. Monti (1994)
Imperfect Control (1998)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good (2009)
Lulu Is Getting a Sister (who Wants Her? Who Needs Her?) (2018)
Novellas in order
If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries (1981)
Non-fiction in order
Necessary Losses (1986)
Children's books in order
150 Science Experiments Step-by-step (1963)
I'll Fix Anthony (1969)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Jun 1972)
My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (1973)
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday (1978)
Earrings! (1990)
The Alphabet from Z to A (1994)
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move (1995)
Absolutely Positively Alexander (1997)
Rosie and Michael (1998)
The Good-bye Book (1998)
Super-completely and Totally the Messiest (2004)
Just in Case (2010)
Lulu and the Brontosaurus (2010)
Lulu Walks The Dogs (2012)
Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever (2014)
Lulu's Mysterious Mission (2014)
Poetry in order
How Did I Get to Be Forty ... & Other Atrocities (1976)
When Did I Stop (1987)
Forever Fifty and Other Negotiations (1989)
Sad Underwear (1995)
You're Officially a Grown-up (1999)
Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life (2000)
I'm Too Young to Be Seventy (2005)
Unexpectedly Eighty (2010)
What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? (2015)
Other books in order
It's Hard to Be Hip Over Thirty (1970)
People & Other Aggravations (1972)
Yes, Married (1972)
My Mama Says There Aren't Any (1999)
What the Dormouse Said (1999)
Grown-Up Marriage (2002)
Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days (2007)
Making the Best of What's Left (2025)
Film and TV adaptations
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)Film · from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip (2025)Film · from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
About Judith Viorst
Judith Viorst is an American writer. She has been called "housewife's poet laureate" for her humorous books of observational poetry, and is known for her popular children's books such as The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (1971) and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), which has sold more than four million copies.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Judith Viorst FAQ
- How many books has Judith Viorst written?
- Judith Viorst has published 6 novels, 1 novella, 1 non-fiction book, 17 children's books, 9 poetry collections and 8 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Judith Viorst's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
- What is Judith Viorst's latest book?
- Lulu Is Getting a Sister (who Wants Her? Who Needs Her?) (2018).
- What is Judith Viorst's most famous book?
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972) is Judith Viorst's most widely read book.
- Which Judith Viorst books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (film, 2014).
Authors like Judith Viorst
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.