If you landed here because Wicked rewired your brain (same), this Gregory Maguire biography guide is going to feel like a map through a very particular kind of storytelling: familiar fairy tales… made strange, human, political, funny, tender, and sometimes quietly devastating.

And if you’re here because you’ve heard of Maguire but don’t know where to begin, this Gregory Maguire biography post will do what we do best at Books in Chronological Order: give you a clean starting point, a publication roadmap, and a few recommended reading paths depending on what mood you’re chasing.

Before we jump in, here’s my promise: this Gregory Maguire biography reading guide won’t just list titles. I’ll tell you why you might pick one book over another, how the Oz books fit together, and how to read Maguire if you’re not an Oz completionist (because… most of us aren’t, and that’s fine).

Also, if you’re the kind of reader who likes the “rules” behind reading orders, you’ll love these internal guides:

• Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
• Reading Order FAQs
• Upcoming Book-to-Screen Adaptations

Where to Start

A good Gregory Maguire biography reading strategy starts with a question: What version of “Maguire” are you actually craving right now? Because he writes in a few distinct lanes—adult fairy-tale reimaginings, Oz political fantasy, and children’s/YA storytelling with a wink.

Here are the best entry points (pick the vibe that matches your brain today):

1) If you came from the musical or the movies: start with Wicked (1995)

This is the heart of the modern Maguire fandom, and it’s the easiest “click” if you already love Elphaba and Glinda. This Gregory Maguire biography post is built around the idea that Wicked is both a standalone experience and the gateway to a bigger Oz project.

2) If you want “fairy tale, but darker and smarter”: start with Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (1999)

This is Maguire at his most accessible in the adult-retelling space—still literary, still twisty, but less sprawling than Oz.

3) If you want a one-book dose of uncanny nostalgia: start with Mirror, Mirror (2003) or After Alice (2015)

These feel like stepping into a classic story through a side door. A good Gregory Maguire biography reading plan includes at least one of these to understand how he “reframes” myths.

4) If you’re reading with kids (or just want lighter magic): start with Egg and Spoon (2014) or Cress Watercress (2022)

Maguire’s children’s books have their own flavor—still clever, still emotional, often warmer.

If you want the simplest answer: Wicked → (pause) → Confessions → Mirror, Mirror → After Alice is a very happy Gregory Maguire biography starter path.

Gregory Maguire Publication Order Tables

Below are Gregory Maguire biography publication-order tables based on the information you provided, organized in the way most readers actually browse: Oz books first, then adult standalones, then children’s books and series, then nonfiction.

Tip: If you ever wonder why we default to publication order in these guides, our breakdown here explains it beautifully: Publication Order vs. Chronological Order SiteMap

The Wicked Years (Oz) — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West	1995
2	Son of a Witch	2005
3	A Lion Among Men	2008
4	Out of Oz	2011

Another Day (Oz sequel trilogy) — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	The Brides of Maracoor	2021
2	The Oracle of Maracoor	2022
3	The Witch of Maracoor	2023

Childhood prequels — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	Elphie: A Wicked Childhood	2025
2	Galinda: A Charmed Childhood	2026

Note: the main trade publication date for Elphie appears as March 25, 2025 in major listings.

Adult novels (non-Oz) — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister	1999
2	Lost	2001
3	Mirror, Mirror	2003
4	The Next Queen of Heaven	2010
5	Tales Told in Oz	2012
6	After Alice	2015
7	Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker	2017
8	A Wild Winter Swan	2020

Children’s novels — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	The Lightning Time	1978
2	The Daughter of the Moon	1980
3	Lights on the Lake	1981
4	The Dream Stealer	1983
5	The Peace and Quiet Diner	1988
6	I Feel like the Morning Star	1989
7	Lucas Fishbone	1990
8	Missing Sisters	1994
9	Oasis	1996
10	The Good Liar	1997
11	Crabby Cratchitt	2000
12	Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales	2004
13	What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy	2007
14	Missing Sisters	2009
15	Egg and Spoon	2014
16	Cress Watercress	2022

The Hamlet Chronicles — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	Seven Spiders Spinning	1994
2	Six Haunted Hairdos	1997
3	Five Alien Elves	1998
4	Four Stupid Cupids	2000
5	Three Rotten Eggs	2002
6	A Couple of April Fools	2004
7	One Final Firecracker	2005

Nonfiction (editor / essays) — publication order

#	Title	Year
1	Innocence and Experience: Essays and Conversations on Children’s Literature (ed., with Barbara Harrison)	1987
2	Origins of Story: On Writing for Children (ed., with Barbara Harrison)	1999
3	Making Mischief: A Maurice Sendak Appreciation	2009

Gregory Maguire Recommended Reading Orders

One of my favorite things about writing a Gregory Maguire biography guide is that Maguire is not a “one order fits all” author. You can read him like a completionist… or like a mood reader hopping between myths.

Here are the best paths.

1) The “I’m here for Wicked” order (fastest, cleanest)

#	Title	Amazon Buy Link
1	Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West	Buy on Amazon
2	Son of a Witch	Buy on Amazon
3	A Lion Among Men	Buy on Amazon
4	Out of Oz	Buy on Amazon

Then decide if you want more Oz:

• If yes: go to The Brides of Maracoor → The Oracle of Maracoor → The Witch of Maracoor
• If you want backstory first: try Elphie (and later Galinda)

This is the most common Gregory Maguire biography reading path—and honestly the most satisfying if you want closure.

Read more: The Wicked Years Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide

2) The “Fairy Tales, Rewritten” order (adult standalones first)

1. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
2. Mirror, Mirror
3. After Alice
4. A Wild Winter Swan

Then go to Wicked if you want the bigger project.

This Gregory Maguire biography order works if you like literary retellings but don’t want to commit to Oz politics right away.

3) The “Oz, but broaden the lens” order (Oz + adjacent)

1. Wicked Years quartet
2. Tales Told in Oz
3. Another Day trilogy
4. Elphie (and then Galinda when you’re ready)

This Gregory Maguire biography order is for readers who want to live in Oz for a while—different angles, different tones.

4) The “Reading with kids / lighter tone” order

1. Egg and Spoon
2. Cress Watercress
3. Leaping Beauty
4. What-the-Dickens
5. The Hamlet Chronicles (in order)

Then—if your reader is older or curious—you can test-drive Wicked later.

And if you ever get stuck choosing between multiple orders, our Reading Order FAQs is the cheat sheet I wish every reader had. SiteMap

Gregory Maguire Book-by-Book Summaries

Now the fun part: the Gregory Maguire biography tour through the books. I’m keeping these summaries short-but-useful—the kind you can skim, point at one, and say, “Okay, that one.”

The Wicked Years (Oz)

Wicked (1995)

In any Gregory Maguire biography, Wicked is the pivot point: the book that takes a well-known villain and asks, What if the story was never that simple? You get Elphaba’s childhood, her education, her relationships, and the slow build of a reputation that history will later flatten into “wicked.” Expect politics, moral grayness, and an Oz that feels textured rather than cute.

Son of a Witch (2005)

This one moves the spotlight to the aftermath—how legends echo through the people left behind. In this Gregory Maguire biography guide, I describe it as “the haunted sequel.” It follows Liir (Elphaba’s son), and it leans into identity, inheritance, and what it means to grow up in the shadow of someone history refuses to understand.

A Lion Among Men (2008)

If you like side characters getting center stage, this is your stop. A standout in the Gregory Maguire biography catalog, it digs into the Cowardly Lion’s past—how bravery gets defined, who gets to be “heroic,” and how trauma changes what courage looks like from the inside.

Out of Oz (2011)

This is the capstone: revolution, reckoning, and the emotional bill coming due. In a Gregory Maguire biography reading experience, Out of Oz is where everything converges—characters you’ve followed, choices that have rippled outward, and a sense of Oz as a living world with consequences.

#	Title	Amazon Buy Link
1	Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West	Buy on Amazon
2	Son of a Witch	Buy on Amazon
3	A Lion Among Men	Buy on Amazon
4	Out of Oz	Buy on Amazon

Another Day trilogy (Oz)

The Brides of Maracoor (2021)

This begins a later-life Oz chapter, shifting into a different rhythm: more mythic, more reflective, but still very Maguire. In this Gregory Maguire biography guide, think of it as “Oz with sea air and prophecy.” It introduces new stakes and a new generation of problems.

The Oracle of Maracoor (2022)

Deeper into the trilogy, the story tightens around identity and fate. A Gregory Maguire biography fan will recognize the pattern: Maguire loves asking whether destiny is real—or just a story powerful people tell.

The Witch of Maracoor (2023)

A culmination that leans into legacy—what gets passed down, what gets erased, and what survives. If you’re building your Gregory Maguire biography reading shelf, this is one you’ll want if you’ve committed to the trilogy.

Childhood prequels (Oz)

Elphie: A Wicked Childhood (2025)

This is the “before the before”—young Elphaba, before the legend hardens. In a Gregory Maguire biography context, Elphie is fascinating because it shows how early experiences get misread later, how personality forms under pressure, and how a child becomes “difficult” in a world that only rewards the agreeable. Major listings show a publication date of March 25, 2025.

Galinda: A Charmed Childhood (2026)

Positioned as the companion childhood story, this promises a contrast—how charm gets shaped, taught, and performed. In Gregory Maguire biography terms, it’s also the author doubling down on the theme that “good” and “wicked” are stories we assign, not truths we discover.

Adult novels (non-Oz)

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (1999)

Cinderella’s story, but from the so-called “ugly” side—and with historical texture. A Gregory Maguire biography must-read for many fans, because it showcases his signature move: empathy for the character the fairy tale doesn’t bother to understand.

Lost (2001)

Maguire plays with absence here—what’s missing in a life, what’s missing in a story, what gets replaced by imagination. If your Gregory Maguire biography reading taste leans literary, this one tends to land.

Mirror, Mirror (2003)

Snow White, refracted through a darker political mirror. In a Gregory Maguire biography reading lineup, this is a great “single-sitting” entry: familiar shape, unfamiliar motives.

The Next Queen of Heaven (2010)

This one is often described as Maguire stretching into a more contemporary, satirical, and provocative space. In a Gregory Maguire biography guide, I file it under “read when you want something different”—still thoughtful, but less fairy-tale scaffolding.

Tales Told in Oz (2012)

A return to Oz through shorter pieces—like walking around the edges of a world you’ve already visited. In a Gregory Maguire biography journey, it’s a nice add-on after the Wicked Years, especially if you like worldbuilding details.

After Alice (2015)

A clever sideways step through Wonderland—less “tea party whimsy,” more “what did this do to the people who weren’t the protagonist?” If you want a Gregory Maguire biography sampler that’s brisk and imaginative, this is a strong pick.

Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker (2017)

Maguire turns toward mythmaking itself: the story behind a story, the origin of a cultural fairytale. In a Gregory Maguire biography shelf, this is the one that feels most like winter-lit crossed with folklore.

A Wild Winter Swan (2020)

A take on “The Wild Swans,” with Maguire’s usual compassion for characters trapped in narratives they didn’t choose. This Gregory Maguire biography entry tends to satisfy readers who love fairy tales but want them emotionally grounded.

Children’s novels (and why they matter)

A quick Gregory Maguire biography note: his children’s work isn’t “lesser.” It’s often where you see his craft in a cleaner form—character, voice, and theme without quite as much political density.

The Lightning Time (1978)

His debut—early Maguire energy, early experimentation. In a Gregory Maguire biography read-through, this is where you see the beginnings of his interest in time, choice, and consequence.

The Daughter of the Moon (1980)

A moody, imaginative children’s fantasy. A Gregory Maguire biography reader who likes atmospheric classics will appreciate the tone here.

Lights on the Lake (1981)

More grounded, more character-driven. In this Gregory Maguire biography guide, I’d recommend it for readers who like emotional realism threaded with wonder.

The Dream Stealer (1983)

A title that tells you the vibe: eerie, magical, and a little unsettling in the best way. A Gregory Maguire biography deep cut.

The Peace and Quiet Diner (1988)

This is one of those children’s books that often reads like a parable—small setting, big emotional meaning. In a Gregory Maguire biography list, it’s a “quiet favorite” candidate.

I Feel like the Morning Star (1989)

A children’s story with a poetic tilt. If your Gregory Maguire biography tastes lean lyrical, put this on your list.

Lucas Fishbone (1990)

Playful and character-forward. This Gregory Maguire biography pick works well if you’re reading aloud or want something lighter.

Missing Sisters (1994) / Missing Sisters (2009)

You provided two entries with the same title at different years. In Gregory Maguire biography terms, consider these as separate editions/versions or related works—either way, they fit his interest in identity, family, and what’s hidden inside a “simple” story.

Oasis (1996)

A children’s book that suggests refuge and transformation—classic Maguire themes at a kid-friendly angle. A Gregory Maguire biography read for readers who like gentler magic.

The Good Liar (1997)

Maguire loves complicated morality; even the title hints at it. A Gregory Maguire biography entry that plays with truth and storytelling.

Crabby Cratchitt (2000)

A fun twist on Dickens energy—sharp, witty, and a little mischievous. A Gregory Maguire biography pick when you want something seasonal-adjacent without being heavy.

Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales (2004)

A collection that lets Maguire do what he does best: take the “known” and make it newly strange. If you’re building a Gregory Maguire biography reading list for fairy-tale fans, this is a great bridge between kids and adults.

What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy (2007)

Joyfully odd, very readable, and exactly the kind of book kids remember. A Gregory Maguire biography choice when you want whimsy with bite.

Egg and Spoon (2014)

A modern classic in his children’s catalog: fairy-tale flavor, clear voice, and that Maguire tenderness underneath the plot. In this Gregory Maguire biography guide, it’s one of my top “start here (kids)” picks.

Cress Watercress (2022)

Short, charming, and surprisingly thoughtful. A Gregory Maguire biography pick for readers who like fables and gentle moral arcs.

The Hamlet Chronicles (kids series)

These are breezy, episodic, and easy to read in order—perfect for younger readers or nostalgia reading.

1. Seven Spiders Spinning (1994)
2. Six Haunted Hairdos (1997)
3. Five Alien Elves (1998)
4. Four Stupid Cupids (2000)
5. Three Rotten Eggs (2002)
6. A Couple of April Fools (2004)
7. One Final Firecracker (2005)

If you’re new to our “series navigation” approach, this internal guide explains common pitfalls (like skipping early entries): Book Series Reading Order Mistakes

Nonfiction / editing work

Innocence and Experience (1987)

A window into the children’s literature world and the conversations around it—useful if your Gregory Maguire biography interest includes why he writes the way he does.

Origins of Story (1999)

Perfect for writers and craft-curious readers. In a Gregory Maguire biography context, this helps explain his fascination with how stories evolve across generations.

Making Mischief (2009)

A Maurice Sendak appreciation—warm, thoughtful, and a reminder that Maguire’s reading life is part of his writing life.

Netflix, Hulu & More

A modern Gregory Maguire biography basically has to talk about Wicked as a cultural machine: book → musical → movie(s) → streaming.

Broadway musical

The Broadway musical adaptation of Wicked opened in 2003 and became a phenomenon (and for many readers, the gateway back to the novel).

Movie + streaming (and where to watch)

Universal’s film adaptation Wicked began streaming on Peacock on March 21, 2025. So if you’re reading this Gregory Maguire biography post and also planning a rewatch, that’s the most straightforward “where.”

Watch now Wicked: For Good | Official Trailer :

Part Two / sequel film

The second film—titled Wicked: For Good—was released theatrically in the U.S. on November 21, 2025.

And if you like tracking adaptations beyond Oz, bookmark our running list: Upcoming Book-to-Screen Adaptations

About Gregory Maguire

Now for the “bio” part of this Gregory Maguire biography—because his life story quietly explains a lot about his obsessions as a writer: orphaned beginnings, deep Catholic schooling, scholarly work in children’s literature, and a career that keeps returning to the question, Who gets labeled—and who gets heard?

Gregory Maguire was born June 9, 1954, in Albany, New York. He was the youngest of four children. His mother died from complications related to his birth, and in infancy he experienced a period of instability—living with an aunt, then in an orphanage, before being brought back into family life after his father remarried.

Education became a major throughline. He was educated in Catholic institutions through high school, earned a BA in English from SUNY Albany (1976), an MA in children’s literature from Simmons (1978), and later a PhD from Tufts (1990) focused on themes in English-language fantastic literature for children.

That background matters in any Gregory Maguire biography because you can feel the scholar in the novelist. He doesn’t just retell stories—he interrogates them. He treats fairy tales like cultural documents, and he’s always alert to what gets simplified when stories are handed down.

Maguire published his first novel, The Lightning Time, in 1978. He also worked deeply in the children’s literature world—teaching, and later helping found an educational charity focused on children’s literature in New England (a detail that appears in both general bios and his official site).

In 1995, he published Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, his first adult novel—and the book that changed everything. From there, the Gregory Maguire biography arc becomes a fascinating blend of:

• continuing Oz in multiple directions,
• writing adult “classic story” reimaginings, and
• never abandoning children’s fiction.

On the personal side, Maguire married artist Andy Newman (their relationship is often noted as part of early same-sex marriage history in Massachusetts), and they adopted three children.He has also spoken openly about being a practicing Catholic, and that mix—faith, queerness, moral complexity—often shows up in the emotional pressure inside his books.

If you want his bio straight from the source, his official site is a good reference point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A strong Gregory Maguire biography reading plan is really about choosing your doorway: Oz epic, fairy-tale revisions, or children’s stories with heart. Maguire’s gift is that he makes the stories you thought you knew feel newly alive—and he does it by taking “villains,” “side characters,” and “footnotes” seriously.

If you’re starting today, my final nudge in this Gregory Maguire biography guide is simple: start with Wicked, then decide whether you want more Oz or more retold classics. Either way, you’ll begin to recognize the signature: empathy as a form of rebellion.