8 Best-Selling ES6 Books Millions Love

These ES6 books, authored by experts like Andrea Chiarelli and Nicholas C. Zakas, offer best-selling, proven approaches to mastering modern JavaScript.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love—especially in the fast-evolving world of JavaScript ES6. As ES6 continues to redefine how developers write cleaner, modular, and more efficient code, these best-selling titles have become essential resources. They capture proven approaches that millions rely on to stay ahead in modern web development.

The authors behind these works bring deep expertise and real-world experience to the table. Andrea Chiarelli, with his two decades as a software engineer and advocate at Okta, guides you through ES6's object-oriented programming enhancements. Meanwhile, Nicholas C. Zakas, a seasoned frontend engineer who shaped Yahoo!'s homepage, unpacks ES6's core language features with clarity. Together with other accomplished authors, their books have shaped how developers understand and apply ES6.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific ES6 needs might consider creating a personalized ES6 book that combines these validated approaches. This custom option adapts expert insights to your skill level and goals, making your learning journey even more effective.

Best for mastering ES6 language features
Nicholas C. Zakas has been working on web applications since 2000, focusing on frontend development, and is known for writing and speaking about frontend best practices. He honed his experience during his five years at Yahoo!, where he was principal frontend engineer for the Yahoo! home page. He is the author of several books, including The Principles of Object-Oriented JavaScript (No Starch Press) and Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox). This extensive background uniquely positions him to guide you through the complexities of ECMAScript 6, explaining its features with clarity and practical insight.
2016·352 pages·JavaScript, ES6, ECMAScript, Asynchronous Programming, Promises

Nicholas C. Zakas has been shaping web applications since 2000, bringing deep frontend expertise that fuels this guide through ECMAScript 6’s major overhaul. You’ll get clear explanations of ES6 class syntax, iterators, generators, arrow functions, and new data structures like sets and maps, all grounded in practical code examples. Chapters on promises and module organization show how modern JavaScript handles asynchronous programming and code structure, making it a solid reference whether you work with browsers or Node.js. If you’re ready to move beyond ES5 and grasp the new JavaScript core, this book offers a focused, no-frills path to mastering ES6’s features.

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Best for ES6 object-oriented developers
Andrea Chiarelli brings over two decades of software engineering and technical writing experience to this work, combining his extensive background with hands-on expertise across technologies like JavaScript, Angular, and REST APIs. As a Staff Developer Advocate at Okta and a contributor to respected programming magazines, he is uniquely positioned to guide you through mastering JavaScript's object-oriented features introduced in ES6. His practical insights and deep understanding make this book a solid resource for developers looking to build maintainable, scalable web applications.

Andrea Chiarelli challenges the common assumption that JavaScript's object-oriented capabilities are limited by focusing on the new features introduced in ES6 that reshape how you structure apps. You learn to master concepts like encapsulation, inheritance, and advanced design patterns such as Singleton and Observer, along with SOLID principles to build maintainable, scalable applications. Specific chapters take you through asynchronous programming with promises and modular architecture design, equipping you to create robust front-end solutions. This book benefits developers aiming to deepen their understanding of modern JavaScript OOP beyond basic syntax, especially those working on large-scale web applications.

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Best for custom ES6 mastery
This AI-created book on ES6 mastery is crafted based on your programming background and current skill level. You share which ES6 topics interest you and your specific coding goals, and the book is tailored to focus on exactly those areas. It makes sense to have a custom guide for ES6 because the language features can be complex and are best learned through targeted examples and challenges relevant to your experience. This personalized AI book helps you efficiently gain confidence and mastery by focusing only on the ES6 techniques that truly matter to you.
2025·50-300 pages·ES6, JavaScript Basics, ES6 Syntax, Arrow Functions, Promises

This tailored book explores proven ES6 programming methods that align precisely with your challenges and learning preferences. It covers core ES6 features such as arrow functions, destructuring, modules, and promises, while diving into advanced topics like generators and async iteration. The approach is personalized, matching your background and focusing on techniques that empower you to write cleaner, more efficient JavaScript code. By blending widely validated ES6 knowledge with insights tailored to your specific goals, this book reveals practical ways to master ES6 concepts and apply them effectively in modern development tasks. Readers gain a focused learning experience that sharpens skills and deepens understanding without unnecessary content.

Tailored Handbook
Reader-Validated Techniques
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for advanced ES6 concepts
Dr. Venkat Subramaniam is an award-winning author and founder of Agile Developer, Inc., as well as an instructional professor at the University of Houston. With his extensive experience mentoring thousands of developers worldwide and speaking at international conferences, he brings authoritative insight to modern JavaScript. His book distills the complex evolution of JavaScript into accessible lessons that empower you to harness ES6 and beyond with confidence and clarity.
2018·288 pages·JavaScript, ES6, ES8, ECMAScript, ES7

Dr. Venkat Subramaniam, an award-winning author and professor, offers a fresh perspective on JavaScript’s evolution through ES6, ES7, and ES8. You’ll gain a solid grasp of modern JavaScript features like destructuring, arrow functions, promises, and async programming, with practical examples that clarify when and how to use them. The book focuses on real coding needs, avoiding outdated quirks and emphasizing elegant, reliable patterns that work in both frontend and server environments. If you want to deepen your JavaScript skills beyond basics and understand the language’s latest capabilities, this book suits you well, though beginners without some coding background might find it challenging.

Jolt Productivity Award Winner
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Best for ES6 API developers
Caio Ribeiro Pereira is a software engineer from Brazil with hands-on experience in Node.js, JavaScript, Meteor, and Ruby on Rails. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, he actively contributes to local tech communities like NodeBr and JavaScript Brazil. His deep engagement with these technologies and communities underpins the practical insights offered in this book, guiding you through building APIs with Node.js and modern JavaScript standards.
Building APIs with Node.js book cover

by Caio Ribeiro Pereira··You?

Drawing from his extensive background in Node.js and front-end frameworks, Caio Ribeiro Pereira offers a concise guide to building scalable APIs using ES6 and Node.js. You’ll learn how to leverage Express, Passport, and Sequelize.js to create efficient RESTful services, alongside integrating SQL databases and crafting single-page applications with Vanilla.js. This book suits developers comfortable with basic JavaScript who want to deepen their practical skills in API development and modern JavaScript syntax. The chapters clearly demonstrate how to structure APIs for data-centric applications, making it a solid resource for improving your backend development workflow.

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Best for quick ES6 syntax reference
Matt Harrison runs MetaSnake, a Python and Data Science consultancy known for corporate training across multiple domains including search, testing, and business intelligence. His extensive experience presenting at conferences like PyCON and OSCON informs the focused format of this notebook, aimed at programmers seeking a quick refresher on ES6 JavaScript features through carefully curated code examples.
2017·140 pages·ES6, ECMAScript, JavaScript, Programming, Syntax

During his extensive career teaching programming, Matt Harrison crafted this notebook as a focused collection of ES6 JavaScript examples rather than a beginner's tutorial. You’ll find concise code snippets covering topics like strict mode, proxies, promises, and generators, designed to refresh your understanding or support technical training. This approach suits developers familiar with JavaScript who want a handy reference for ES6 syntax nuances across classes, maps, symbols, and regular expressions. While it won’t walk you through fundamentals, it offers precise, curated examples that can save you time when revisiting specific ES6 features.

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Best for rapid skill boosts
This AI-created book on ES6 is tailored specifically to your current skills and goals. By sharing your background and which ES6 topics excite you most, you receive a focused guide that aligns with your interests. This personalized approach means you avoid generic coverage and instead dive into what truly matters for your learning journey. It’s like having a mentor who knows exactly what you need to move quickly and effectively through modern JavaScript concepts.
2025·50-300 pages·ES6, JavaScript Basics, ES6 Syntax, Arrow Functions, Classes

This tailored book explores ES6 with a clear focus on your unique background and learning goals. It covers essential ES6 features like arrow functions, classes, promises, destructuring, and modules, guiding you through practical examples and exercises that match your experience level. The content reveals how ES6 modernizes JavaScript, emphasizing real-world application while aligning with your specific interests. By concentrating on topics you prioritize, this personalized guide accelerates your understanding and skill development in a way that mainstream books can't fully capture. It offers a learning journey crafted to help you rapidly grasp the nuances of ES6, empowering you to write cleaner, more efficient code that fits your projects and ambitions.

AI-Tailored Guide
ES6 Practical Insights
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for practical ES6 application
Deepak Grover is a software architect with a Master’s in Software Engineering and eight years of programming expertise. His hands-on experience building open source libraries using ES6 and frameworks like ReactJS and Angular 2 uniquely qualifies him to guide you through the complexities of modern JavaScript. This book reflects his practical knowledge and passion for helping developers navigate the latest ES6 standards and write scalable, maintainable code.
2017·154 pages·JavaScript, ES6, ECMAScript, Functional Programming, Object Oriented

Unlike most JavaScript guides that skim over legacy features, Deepak Grover and Hanu Prateek Kunduru dive deeply into the latest ES6 syntax and functionalities, showing you how to write cleaner, more modular code. You'll explore practical examples like building complete application components, understanding new data types, and contrasting ES5 with ES6 approaches. The book sharpens your grasp of functional programming and modern object-oriented patterns, preparing you to work confidently with popular frameworks like ReactJS and Angular4. If you have some JavaScript background and want to upgrade your skills to today's standards, this book lays out the essentials without unnecessary fluff.

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Best for foundational ES6 understanding
Kyle Simpson is an evangelist of the Open Web, passionate about all things JavaScript. He's an author, trainer, speaker, and OSS contributor. With this book, he aims to guide you through the fundamentals of JavaScript and ES6, preparing you to dive deeper into the language. His extensive experience and dedication to teaching shine through in this approachable introduction, making it a solid starting point for anyone serious about mastering JavaScript.
You Don't Know JS Yet: Get Started book cover

by Kyle Simpson, Simon St.Laurent, Brian Holt··You?

2020·143 pages·JavaScript, ES6, ECMAScript, Language Fundamentals, Programming Concepts

Unlike most ES6 books that skim over basics, this one dives deep into JavaScript fundamentals with a fresh perspective for 2020 and beyond. Kyle Simpson, a seasoned JavaScript evangelist and open web advocate, teams up with Simon St.Laurent and Brian Holt to rewrite the acclaimed series, making complex concepts accessible. You'll explore foundational elements thoroughly in the "Get Started" volume, setting a solid base before moving into advanced topics covered in the rest of the series. This book is ideal if you want to truly understand JavaScript's core mechanics rather than just memorize syntax or features.

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Best for comprehensive ES6 mastery
Ray Voice is an ex-hedge fund marketer turned author and executive advisor, with over 15 years optimizing digital marketing and data science applications globally. His background in market research and technology informs the practical, example-driven approach found in this book, designed to help you master JavaScript and ES6 efficiently. He wrote this book to save developers years of trial and error, offering lessons that span from core JS concepts to cutting-edge topics like AI and hardware programming.
2020·258 pages·ES6, Programming, JavaScript, Web Development, React Native

Drawing from his extensive experience in digital marketing and data science, Ray Voice crafted this book to bridge the gap between JavaScript fundamentals and advanced ES6 features. You’ll explore practical lessons tailored for both newcomers and seasoned developers, including new chapters on building command-line tools and an introduction to machine learning and hardware programming with JavaScript. The book’s structure—with clear explanations, numerous examples, and hands-on projects—ensures you can immediately apply what you learn. Whether you’re dabbling with React Native or deepening your web development skills, this book offers a solid path to mastering modern JavaScript.

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Conclusion

These eight books reveal clear themes: mastering ES6's language features, deepening object-oriented programming skills, and applying modern JavaScript in practical contexts like API development. If you prefer proven methods, start with Nicholas C. Zakas's "Understanding ECMAScript 6" for a solid grasp of ES6 syntax. For validated approaches to scalable app design, Andrea Chiarelli's "Mastering JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming" is a strong choice.

For developers aiming to accelerate practical skills, combining "Building APIs with Node.js" and "ES6 for Humans" offers hands-on application. Meanwhile, "You Don't Know JS Yet" lays foundational understanding necessary for long-term mastery.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized ES6 book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed by providing clear, expert-backed paths through the evolving ES6 landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Understanding ECMAScript 6" by Nicholas C. Zakas. It clearly explains ES6's core features and sets a strong foundation before moving to more specialized topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to ES6?

Not at all. Books like "You Don't Know JS Yet" break down fundamentals nicely, while others offer practical examples to build your skills gradually.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books like "You Don't Know JS Yet," then explore language specifics in "Understanding ECMAScript 6," followed by practical guides like "Building APIs with Node.js."

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your goals. For syntax mastery, "ES6 for Humans" works well; for deep OOP, choose "Mastering JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming."

Are any of these books outdated given how fast ES6 changes?

These books focus on ES6 fundamentals and patterns that remain relevant. ES6’s core features are stable, so the insights continue to hold value.

Can personalized ES6 books complement these expert titles?

Yes! While these books offer expert insights, personalized ES6 books tailor content to your background and goals, combining proven methods with your unique learning needs. Learn more here.

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