X. J. Kennedy books in order
American writer
- Lived
- 1929–2026
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 14
X. J. Kennedy published 7 novels, 1 children's book, 3 poetry collections and 3 other books, beginning with An Introduction to Poetry (1971).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with X. J. Kennedy
Start here
An Introduction to Poetry
X. J. Kennedy's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Instructor's Manual to Accompany Literature (1979)
The Owlstone Crown (1983)
The Bedford Reader (1991)
Elympics (1999)
An Introduction to Fiction (2004)
Practical Suggestions for Teaching with the Bedford Guide for College Writers (2008)
Backpack Literature (2016)
Children's books in order
Elefantina's Dream (2002)
Poetry in order
An Introduction to Poetry (1971)
Talking Like the Rain (2002)
In a Prominent Bar in Secaucus (2007)
Other books in order
Instructor's Manual to Accompany X. J. Kennedy's Literature (1987)
Instructor's Manual for Literature (2009)
Writing And Revising A Portable Guide (2010)
About X. J. Kennedy
Joseph Charles Kennedy, known by the pen name X. J. Kennedy, was an American poet, translator, anthologist, editor, and author of children's literature and textbooks on English literature and poetry. He was long known as Joe Kennedy; but, wishing to distinguish himself from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., he added an "X" as his first initial.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
X. J. Kennedy FAQ
- How many books has X. J. Kennedy written?
- X. J. Kennedy published 7 novels, 1 children's book, 3 poetry collections and 3 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read X. J. Kennedy's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with An Introduction to Poetry.
- What is X. J. Kennedy's last book?
- Backpack Literature (2016).
- What is X. J. Kennedy's most famous book?
- An Introduction to Poetry (1971) is X. J. Kennedy's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.