Gary Paulsen Reading Order

3 books (1991–2004)

Gary Paulsen's Alida trilogy spans thirteen years of publication, beginning with The Cookcamp in 1991 and concluding with The Quilt in 2004. The three-book series is now complete and should be read in publication order to follow the interconnected narrative. These young adult novels combine elements of adventure and personal reflection, drawing on the author's signature storytelling style.

Start with The Cookcamp and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Cookcamp 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Alida's Song 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Quilt 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2003–2003)

#	Title
1	Shelf Life: Stories by the Book 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1986–2003)

The Brian Robeson series follows a teenage boy's survival adventures across five complete novels published between 1986 and 2003. Begin with Hatchet and continue in publication order, as each book builds on the events and character development of the previous installment. Gary Paulsen's young adult action-adventure series concludes with Brian's Hunt, offering interconnected stories that explore themes of wilderness survival and self-discovery.

Start with Hatchet, the first of 5 books in the Brian Robeson series.

#	Title
1	Hatchet 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The River / The Return 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Brian's Winter / Winter 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Brian's Return / The Call 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Brian's Hunt 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

30 books (1992–1997)

Gary Paulsen's Duncan Culpepper series consists of 30 action-packed adventure books published between 1992 and 1997, now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Amos Gets Famous and continuing through titles like Culpepper's Cannon, Dunc Breaks the Record, and Dunc's Undercover Christmas. This young adult series combines mystery and adventure elements across its full run of thirty standalone yet connected stories.

Start with Amos Gets Famous, the first of 30 books in the Duncan Culpepper series.

#	Title
1	Amos Gets Famous 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Culpepper's Cannon 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Dunc Breaks the Record 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Dunc Gets Tweaked 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Dunc and the Flaming Ghost 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Dunc's Doll 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Dunc's Halloween 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Case of the Dirty Bird 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Cowpokes and Desperados 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Dunc and Amos Hit the Big Top 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Dunc and Amos and the Red Tattoos 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Dunc and the Haunted Castle 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Dunc and the Scam Artists 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Dunc's Dump 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Dunc's Undercover Christmas 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Wild Culpepper Cruise 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Amos and the Alien 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Amos's Killer Concert Caper 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Coach Amos 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Dunc and Amos Meet the Slasher 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Dunc and the Greased Sticks of Doom 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Prince Amos 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Amos Gets Married 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Amos Binder, Secret Agent 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Amos Goes Bananas 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Amos and the Chameleon Caper 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Amos and the Vampire 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Dunc and Amos Go to the Dogs 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Dunc and Amos on Thin Ice 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	Super Amos 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1994–1999)

The Francis Tucket series consists of five complete books published between 1994 and 1999 and should be read in publication order. Gary Paulsen's young adult adventure series follows a young protagonist's experiences in the Old West across the novels Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape, Call Me Francis Tucket, Tucket's Ride, Tucket's Home, and Tucket's Gold. Begin with the first book to experience the full narrative arc of this action-packed frontier tale.

Start with Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape, the first of 5 books in the Francis Tucket series.

#	Title
1	Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Call Me Francis Tucket 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Tucket's Ride 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Tucket's Home 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Tucket's Gold 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2007–2010)

This complete two-book series by Gary Paulsen follows the adventures of a young entrepreneur navigating the challenges of running his own lawn care business. Published between 2007 and 2010, the books should be read in publication order, beginning with Lawn Boy followed by Lawn Boy Returns. Combining elements of young adult fiction with action and adventure, the series draws on themes of independence, hard work, and personal growth.

Start with Lawn Boy and read in order.

#	Title
1	Lawn Boy 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Lawn Boy Returns 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2014–2014)

#	Title
1	Family Ties 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1981–1991)

Gary Paulsen's Lt. Ronnie Gold series consists of two young adult action-adventure novels published across a decade. The complete series comprises The Sweeper (1981) and Clutterkill (1991), and should be read in publication order.

Start with The Sweeper and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Sweeper 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Clutterkill 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1987–1996)

The Murphy series spans seven complete books published between 1987 and 1996, following the first title, Murphy, with the subsequent entries Murphy's Gold, Murphy's Herd, Murphy's War, Murphy's Stand, Murphy's Ambush, and Murphy's Trail. The later three installments were co-written with Brian Burks. This young adult action and adventure series should be read in publication order to follow the character's development across the full arc. Gary Paulsen's action-driven narrative style makes this series a compelling read for fans of frontier adventure stories.

Start with Murphy, the first of 7 books in the Murphy series.

#	Title
1	Murphy 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Murphy's Gold 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Murphy's Herd 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Murphy's War 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Murphy's Stand(With: Brian Burks) 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Murphy's Ambush(With: Brian Burks) 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Murphy's Trail(With: Brian Burks) 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1993–1997)

Gary Paulsen's complete Nightjohn series consists of two young adult novels published between 1993 and 1997. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Nightjohn followed by Sarny. This action-driven series combines elements of historical fiction as it explores themes relevant to American history.

Start with Nightjohn and read in order.

#	Title
1	Nightjohn 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Sarny 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

35 books (1976–2012)

Gary Paulsen's Non-Fiction series comprises 35 instructional and informational books published between 1976 and 2012, covering practical skills and historical topics for young adult readers. The series includes how-to guides on home improvement, sports instruction books, and biographical works, with titles addressing everything from carpentry and athletic techniques to farming history and civil rights figures. All books should be read in publication order, beginning with Building a New, Buying an Old, Remodeling a Used Home/Shelter How-to-Do-It Book. The series is complete.

Start with Building a New, Buying an Old, Remodeling a Used Home/Shelter How-to-Do-It Book, the first of 35 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Building a New, Buying an Old, Remodeling a Used Home/Shelter How-to-Do-It Book 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Dribbling, Shooting, and Scoring--Sometimes 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Hitting, Pitching, and Running--Maybe 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Martin Luther King, the Man Who Climbed the Mountain 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Small Ones 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Farm: A History and Celebration of the American Farmer 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Riding, Roping, and Bulldogging--Almost 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Tackling, Running, and Kicking - Now and Again 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Forehanding and Backhanding--If You're Lucky 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Hiking and Backpacking 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Successful Home Repair 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Downhill, Hotdogging, and Cross-Country If the Snow Isn't Sticky 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Full of Hot Air / Launching, Floating High and Landing 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Pummeling, Falling, and Getting Up Sometimes 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Track, Enduro, and Motocross--Unless You Fall Over 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Athletics 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Ice Hockey 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Motor Cycling 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Skiing 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Tennis 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Money Saving Home Repair Guide 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Sailing 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Beat the System 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Woodsong 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Eastern Sun, Winter Moon 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Madonna Stories 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	My Life in Dog Years 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	Pilgrimage on a Steel Ride / Zero to Sixty 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Caught by the Sea: My Life on Boats 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	How Angel Peterson Got His Name and Other Outrageous Tales About Extreme Sports 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	Father Water, Mother Woods 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1993–1999)

The Picture series comprises four complete books by Gary Paulsen published between 1993 and 1999, all of which should be read in publication order. Beginning with Dogteam and continuing through The Tortilla Factory, Work Song, and Canoe Days, this young adult series blends action, adventure, and non-fiction elements throughout its entries.

Start with Dogteam, the first of 4 books in the Picture series.

#	Title
1	Dogteam 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Tortilla Factory 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Work Song 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Canoe Days 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2013–2015)

Gary Paulsen's Road Trip series consists of two young adult adventure books published between 2013 and 2015. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Road Trip followed by Field Trip. These action-packed narratives blend Paulsen's signature storytelling with elements of non-fiction adventure.

Start with Road Trip and read in order.

#	Title
1	Road Trip 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Field Trip 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1998–2011)

Gary Paulsen's short story collection series consists of two complete books published across thirteen years. All Aboard Stage 5 Traditional Tales came first in 1998, followed by Paintings from the Cave in 2011. These collections should be read in publication order to experience Paulsen's storytelling as intended.

Start with All Aboard Stage 5 Traditional Tales and read in order.

#	Title
1	All Aboard Stage 5 Traditional Tales 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Paintings from the Cave 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

53 books (1968–2022)

Gary Paulsen wrote 53 standalone novels across young adult, non-fiction, and action-adventure genres between 1968 and 2022. Each book functions as an independent story with its own characters and plot, though they share the author's signature style and themes. The series is likely complete, and readers should approach these books in publication order beginning with Some Birds Don't Fly. This extensive collection showcases Paulsen's versatility as a writer working across multiple genres and age groups throughout his five-decade career.

Start with Some Birds Don't Fly, the first of 53 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Some Birds Don't Fly 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Death Specialists 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Implosion Effect 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Winterkill 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	CB Jockey / The C.B. Radio Caper 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Curse of the Cobra 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Foxman 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Golden Stick 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Tiltawhirl John / Tasting the Thunder 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Green Recruit 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Night the White Deer Died 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Tracker 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Meteorite Track 291 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Spitball Gang 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Compkill 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Dancing Carl 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Dogsong 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Sentries 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Crossing 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	The Island 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Night Rituals 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	The Voyage of the Frog 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	The Winter Room 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Canyons 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Kill Fee 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	The Monument 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	A Christmas Sonata 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Clabbered Dirt, Sweet Grass 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	The Haymeadow / The Fourteenth Summer 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	Sisters/Hermanas 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Tasting the Thunder 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	The Car 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	The Rifle 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	The Tent 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36	Ice Race 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37	Soldier's Heart 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
38	The Transall Saga / Blue Light 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
39	The Beet Fields 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
40	The White Fox Chronicles / White Fox 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
41	The Time Hackers 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
42	The Legend of Bass Reeves 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
43	Mudshark 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
44	Notes from the Dog 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
45	Woods Runner 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
46	Masters of Disaster 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
47	The Transall Saga(With: Johnny Heller) 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
48	This Side of Wild 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
49	Fishbone's Song 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
50	Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
51	Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
52	How to Train Your Dad 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
53	Northwind 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1990–2006)

Gary Paulsen's Tales to Tickle the Funnybone is a complete six-book series of humorous young adult fiction published between 1990 and 2006. Each standalone story offers comedic takes on school life and coming-of-age experiences, featuring distinct characters and situations designed to entertain middle-grade and teenage readers. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Boy Who Owned the School and concluding with The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech.

Start with The Boy Who Owned the School, the first of 6 books in the Tales to Tickle the Funnybone series.

#	Title
1	The Boy Who Owned the School 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Schernoff Discoveries 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Glass Cafe 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2011–2013)

Gary Paulsen's Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties Of...Books is a four-book young adult series published between 2011 and 2013. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Flat Broke and continuing through Liar Liar, Crush, and Vote. Each standalone entry combines action and adventure with non-fiction elements to explore different real-world topics and their practical applications.

Start with Flat Broke, the first of 4 books in the Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties Of...Books series.

#	Title
1	Flat Broke 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Liar, Liar 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Crush 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Vote 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

18 books (1994–1998)

Gary Paulsen's World of Adventure is a complete series of 18 young adult action and adventure novels published between 1994 and 1998. Each standalone adventure features different characters facing high-stakes survival situations, from escaping wildfires and navigating dangerous rivers to confronting mythical creatures and exploring hidden treasures. Readers should follow the books in publication order, beginning with Escape from Fire Mountain, to experience the full scope of thrilling scenarios that define this collection.

Start with Escape from Fire Mountain, the first of 18 books in the World Of Adventure series.

#	Title
1	Escape from Fire Mountain 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Rodomonte's Revenge / Video Trap 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Legend of Red Horse Cavern 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Captive! 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Danger on Midnight River 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Hook 'Em Snotty 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Gorgon Slayer 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Rock Jockeys / Devil's Wall 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Project: A Perfect World / Perfect Danger 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Skydive! 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Seventh Crystal 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	The Treasure of El Patron / Treasure Ship 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Grizzly 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Creature of Black Water Lake 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Thunder Valley 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Time Benders 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Curse of the Ruins 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Flight of the Hawk 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible