Reading Order List β€” Book Series Reading Order Guide
Gary Paulsen

Gary Paulsen Reading Order

18 series Β· 182 books Β· Born 17 May 1939

Gary Paulsen was a prolific American author celebrated for his engaging children's and young adult novels, primarily focusing on themes of adventure and survival in the wilderness. Over his extensive career from 1968 to 2022, he penned 182 books across 18 series, including notable works like Francis Tucket and Brian Robeson. His storytelling legacy has left a lasting impact, earning him recognition such as the Margaret Edwards Award for his contributions to literature for young audiences.

Alida Series

Complete

3 books (1991–2004)

Start with The Cookcamp and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Cookcamp
The Cookcamp
2
Cover of Alida's Song
Alida's Song
3

Anthologies Series

Complete

1 book (2003–2003)

#Title
1
Cover of Shelf Life: Stories by the Book
Shelf Life: Stories by the Book

Brian Robeson Series

Complete

5 books (1986–2003)

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

#Title
1
2
Cover of The River / The Return
The River / The Return
3
Cover of Brian's Winter / Winter
Brian's Winter / Winter
4
Cover of Brian's Return / The Call
Brian's Return / The Call
5
Cover of Brian's Hunt
Brian's Hunt

Duncan Culpepper Series

Complete

30 books (1992–1997)

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

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

Francis Tucket Series

Complete

5 books (1994–1999)

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

#Title
1
Cover of Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape
Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape
2
Cover of Call Me Francis Tucket
Call Me Francis Tucket
3
Cover of Tucket's Ride
Tucket's Ride
4
Cover of Tucket's Home
Tucket's Home
5
Cover of Tucket's Gold
Tucket's Gold

Lawn Boy Series

Complete

2 books (2007–2010)

Start with Lawn Boy and read in order.

#Title
1
2
Cover of Lawn Boy Returns
Lawn Boy Returns

Liar, Liar Series

Complete

1 book (2014–2014)

#Title
1
Cover of Family Ties
Family Ties

Lt. Ronnie Gold Series

Complete

2 books (1981–1991)

Start with The Sweeper and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Sweeper
The Sweeper
2
Clutterkill

Murphy Series

Complete

7 books (1987–1996)

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

#Title
1
2
Cover of Murphy's Gold
Murphy's Gold
3
Cover of Murphy's Herd
Murphy's Herd
4
Cover of Murphy's War
Murphy's War
5
Cover of Murphy's Stand(With: Brian Burks)
Murphy's Stand(With: Brian Burks)
6
Cover of Murphy's Ambush(With: Brian Burks)
Murphy's Ambush(With: Brian Burks)
7
Cover of Murphy's Trail(With: Brian Burks)
Murphy's Trail(With: Brian Burks)

Nightjohn Series

Complete

2 books (1993–1997)

Start with Nightjohn and read in order.

#Title
1
2

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

35 books (1976–2012)

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

Picture Series

Complete

4 books (1993–1999)

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

#Title
1
2
Cover of The Tortilla Factory
The Tortilla Factory
3
4
Cover of Canoe Days
Canoe Days

Road Trip Series

Complete

2 books (2013–2015)

Start with Road Trip and read in order.

#Title
1
2
Cover of Field Trip
Field Trip

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

2 books (1998–2011)

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

#Title
1
Cover of All Aboard Stage 5 Traditional Tales
All Aboard Stage 5 Traditional Tales
2
Paintings from the Cave

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

53 books (1968–2022)

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

#Title
1
Some Birds Don't Fly
2
The Death Specialists
3
Cover of The Implosion Effect
The Implosion Effect
4
Cover of Winterkill
Winterkill
5
Cover of CB Jockey / The C.B. Radio Caper
CB Jockey / The C.B. Radio Caper
6
The Curse of the Cobra
7
Cover of The Foxman
The Foxman
8
Cover of The Golden Stick
The Golden Stick
9
Cover of Tiltawhirl John / Tasting the Thunder
Tiltawhirl John / Tasting the Thunder
10
Cover of The Green Recruit
The Green Recruit
11
Cover of The Night the White Deer Died
The Night the White Deer Died
12
13
Cover of Meteorite Track 291
Meteorite Track 291
14
Cover of The Spitball Gang
The Spitball Gang
15
16
Cover of Dancing Carl
Dancing Carl
17
Cover of Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights
Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights
18
19
20
Cover of The Crossing
The Crossing
21
Cover of The Island
The Island
22
Cover of Night Rituals
Night Rituals
23
Cover of The Voyage of the Frog
The Voyage of the Frog
24
Cover of The Winter Room
The Winter Room
25
26
27
Cover of The Monument
The Monument
28
Cover of A Christmas Sonata
A Christmas Sonata
29
Cover of Clabbered Dirt, Sweet Grass
Clabbered Dirt, Sweet Grass
30
Cover of The Haymeadow / The Fourteenth Summer
The Haymeadow / The Fourteenth Summer
31
Cover of Sisters/Hermanas
Sisters/Hermanas
32
Cover of Tasting the Thunder
Tasting the Thunder
33
34
35
36
37
Cover of Soldier's Heart
Soldier's Heart
38
Cover of The Transall Saga / Blue Light
The Transall Saga / Blue Light
39
Cover of The Beet Fields
The Beet Fields
40
The White Fox Chronicles / White Fox
41
Cover of The Time Hackers
The Time Hackers
42
Cover of The Legend of Bass Reeves
The Legend of Bass Reeves
43
44
Cover of Notes from the Dog
Notes from the Dog
45
Cover of Woods Runner
Woods Runner
46
Cover of Masters of Disaster
Masters of Disaster
47
The Transall Saga(With: Johnny Heller)
48
Cover of This Side of Wild
This Side of Wild
49
Cover of Fishbone's Song
Fishbone's Song
50
Cover of Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat
Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat
51
Cover of Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood
Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood
52
Cover of How to Train Your Dad
How to Train Your Dad
53

Tales to Tickle the Funnybone Series

Complete

6 books (1990–2006)

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

#Title
1
Cover of The Boy Who Owned the School
The Boy Who Owned the School
2
Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered
3
Cover of The Schernoff Discoveries
The Schernoff Discoveries
4
Cover of The Glass Cafe
The Glass Cafe
5
Cover of Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day
Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day
6
Cover of The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech
The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech

Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties Of...Books Series

Complete

4 books (2011–2013)

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

#Title
1
Cover of Flat Broke
Flat Broke
2
Cover of Liar, Liar
Liar, Liar
3
4

World Of Adventure Series

Complete

18 books (1994–1998)

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Gary Paulsen written?
Gary Paulsen has written 182 books across 18 series. Their published works span from 1968 to 2022.
What is the first book in each Gary Paulsen series?
Here are the first books in Gary Paulsen's series: Alida: The Cookcamp; Brian Robeson: Hatchet; Duncan Culpepper: Amos Gets Famous; Francis Tucket: Mr. Tucket / Chance for Escape; Lawn Boy: Lawn Boy.
What order should I read Gary Paulsen's books?
We recommend reading Gary Paulsen's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Are Gary Paulsen's series complete?
Gary Paulsen has 17 completed series.

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