Emily Rodda

  • 28

    Catalog books

  • 26

    Works

  • 1993 to 2017

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Emily Rodda writes engaging, character-driven fantasies and middle-grade adventures that lean on quiet courage and everyday magic. Her Rowan of Rin quartet showcases a hesitant hero whose smallness becomes strength, while standalone tales like The Peskie Spell and The Ghost of Raven Hill explore mystery, family ties, and the uncanny in accessible, page-turning prose.

Rodda balances suspense and warmth across short, lively books that respect young readers’ intelligence. Whether threading a creeping ghost story or unfolding a reluctant quest, her narratives favor clear stakes, memorable settings, and moral clarity, offering comfort and thrills in compact, readable packages.

Best Place To Start

The Shifting Sands

Scholastic • 2005 • quick commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Rowan of Rin series • Adventure and quest-focused plots • Child and middle-grade protagonists

Genres and themes: Fantasy • Coming-of-age • Mystery

Who this author is best for: Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with clear stakes and gentle scares.

Start with Rowan of Rin for a self-contained quest, or sample a short standalone like The Peskie Spell to gauge tone.

Top Books To Start With

  1. The Shifting Sands

    Scholastic • 2005 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2005 • 131 pages.

  2. Rowan and the Travellers (Rowan of Rin)

    Omnibus Books • 2003 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2003 • 150 pages.

  3. Rowan of Rin

    Omnibus Books • 1993 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 138 pages.

  4. One-Shoe's wishes

    Happy Cat • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 56 pages.

  5. The Peskie Spell

    Catnip Publishing Ltd • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 96 pages.

  6. The ghost of Raven Hill

    Scholastic, Inc • 2005 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2005 • 112 pages.

  7. Yay

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1997 • commitment varies by edition

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  8. Key To Rondo

    Scholastic Press • 2008 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 352 pages.

  9. Rowan And The Zebak (Rowan of Rin, Bk.4)

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 2004 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2004 • 198 pages.

  10. Rowan and the Ice Creepers

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 2004 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2004 • 151 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • The Shifting Sands is the easier short commitment, while Rowan and the Travellers (Rowan of Rin) asks for more reading time up front.
  • Rowan and the Travellers (Rowan of Rin) gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while The Shifting Sands leans later in the catalog.
  • Rowan of Rin is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from The Shifting Sands.

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