William Johnston Reading Order

1 book (1963–1963)

3 books (1963–1964)

William Johnston's Doctor Kildare series consists of three young adult novels published between 1963 and 1964. The complete trilogy follows publication order, beginning with The Faces of Love, followed by The Heart Has An Answer and concluding with The Magic Key. These books should be read sequentially as originally published to experience the full narrative arc.

Start with The Faces of Love and read in order.

5 books (1968–1968)

William Johnston's Flying Nun series consists of five young adult novels published in 1968, completing a short but charming collection based on the beloved television show. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Miracle at San Tanco and continuing through Mother of Invention, The Little Green Men, The Littlest Rebels, and concluding with The Underground Picnic. This complete series captures the whimsical adventures that made the Flying Nun phenomenon a cultural touchstone of its era.

Start with Miracle at San Tanco, the first of 5 books in the Flying Nun series.

8 books (1974–1977)

This complete Happy Days series by William Johnston contains eight books published between 1974 and 1977, all centered around the iconic character Fonzie. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Fonzie Drops In and concluding with Fonzie Goes to College. Originally written for young adult readers, this series captures the charm of the beloved television show through novelized adventures and stories.

Start with Fonzie Drops In, the first of 8 books in the Happy Days series.

#	Title
1	Fonzie Drops In 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Ready to Go Steady 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Invaders 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Fonz and La Zonga 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Fonzie, Fonzie Superstar 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Bike Tycoon 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Dear Fonzie... 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Fonzie Goes to College 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (1970–1970)

#	Title
1	Brady Bunch 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

9 books (1965–1969)

The Max Smart series by William Johnston comprises nine young adult novels published between 1965 and 1969, now complete. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Get Smart and concluding with Max Smart and the Ghastly Ghost Affair. The series follows the misadventures of its titular protagonist through nine comedic espionage-themed adventures.

Start with Get Smart, the first of 9 books in the Max Smart series.

27 books (1960–1990)

William Johnston's Standalone Novels series comprises 27 complete young adult books published between 1960 and 1990. Though each novel stands alone and can be enjoyed independently, readers should follow publication order beginning with Searching Spector to experience Johnston's works as intended. The series concludes with Asylum and twelve additional titles, spanning diverse themes and adventures across four decades of prolific writing.

Start with Searching Spector, the first of 27 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Searching Spector 1960Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Ben Casey 1962Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Marriage Cage 1962Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	A Fear in Borzano 1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	A Silent Voice 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Captain Nice 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	They Came From the Sea 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Barney 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Bewitched - the Opposite Uncle 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Room 222 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Sam Weskit on the Planet Framingham 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Bomb in the Classroom 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Klute 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Madness at the Castle 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Asylum 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Banyon 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Master of Foxhollow 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Clock and Bell 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Sons and Daughters 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Other Brother 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Echoes of a Summer 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Follow the Heart 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Mrs. Barthelme's Madness 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	The Remembered Kiss 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Gore Vidal's Caligula 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Cradle to Grave 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Dick Tracy 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1965–1966)

This two-book young adult series by William Johnston was published in 1965 and 1966 and is now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Great Camera Caper followed by The Last Resort. The series consists of standalone adventures that can be enjoyed sequentially as originally released.

Start with The Great Camera Caper and read in order.

2 books (1963–1963)

This young adult series by William Johnston consists of two complete novels published in the early 1960s. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Nurses followed by Two Loves Has Nurse Powell. Both titles were released during the same year, offering a brief glimpse into this finished series from the mid-twentieth century.

Start with The Nurses and read in order.

6 books (1976–1977)

William Johnston's Welcome Back, Kotter series consists of six young adult novels published between 1976 and 1977, based on the popular television show of the same name. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with 10-4 Sweathogs! and continuing through Sweathog Trail, The Super Sweathogs, The Sweathog Newshawks, Barbarino Drops Out, and concluding with The Sweathog Sit-In. These books follow the adventures and escapades of the Sweathogs, a group of remedial students attending high school in Brooklyn.

Start with 10-4 Sweathogs!, the first of 6 books in the Welcome Back, Kotter series.

#	Title
1	10-4 Sweathogs! 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Sweathog Trail 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Super Sweathogs 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Sweathog Newshawks 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Barbarino Drops Out 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Sweathog Sit-In 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible