Order of Book Series
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Gary Paulsen Books in Order

181 books are credited to Gary Paulsen, published between 1968 and 2022; 1 of them appeared after Gary Paulsen's death in 2021. The first book is Some Birds Don't Fly (1968) and the newest is Northwind (2022). Publication order is the reading order below.

Books
181
Published
1968–2022
Confirmed
181 of 181 titles
Pages on record
16,056 in 135 of 181 books
Reading time
268–401 hours

Reading time is an estimate, not a recorded figure: 16,056 pages at 300 words a page, read at 200–300 words a minute, covering the 135 of 181 titles with a page count on record.

See all 181 books in order Printable Gary Paulsen checklist
Photo of Gary Paulsen, author

Survival and outdoor adventure run through Gary Paulsen's writing for young readers. The catalogue holds 181 books, from Some Birds Don't Fly (1968) to Northwind (2022), at a median length of 105 pages. Brian Robeson, Francis Tucket, Duncan Culpepper, Murphy and the World of Adventure books head the series lines, with non-fiction and picture books alongside. No new Paulsen title has appeared since 2022.

Brian's Saga follows Brian Robeson, a teenage boy who survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. He learns to live off the land before eventually returning to civilization.

How many Gary Paulsen books are there?

Gary Paulsen has 181 books, released between 1968 and 2022. 1 of them were published after Gary Paulsen's death in 2021. They include 13 separate series.

Gary Paulsen Books in Publication Order

The table lists all 181 Gary Paulsen books in the order they were published, with the release year, the page count where one is on record, and how many independent book listings confirm each title. Catalogue data as of September 2026.

  1. Cover of Martin Luther King, the Man Who Climbed the Mountain by Gary Paulsen, book 2 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series
  2. Cover of Winterkill by Gary Paulsen, book 2 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1976)
  3. Cover of The Small Ones by Gary Paulsen, book 3 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1976)
  4. Cover of Hitting, Pitching, and Running--Maybe by Gary Paulsen, book 4 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1976)
  5. Cover of The Foxman by Gary Paulsen, book 5 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1977)
  6. Cover of Tiltawhirl John / Tasting the Thunder by Gary Paulsen, book 6 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1977)
  7. Cover of The Curse of the Cobra by Gary Paulsen, book 9 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1977)
  8. Cover of Forehanding and Backhanding--If You're Lucky by Gary Paulsen, book 9 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1978)
  9. Cover of Hiking and Backpacking by Gary Paulsen, book 10 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1978)
  10. Cover of The Green Recruit by Gary Paulsen, book 10 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1978)
  11. Cover of Successful Home Repair by Gary Paulsen, book 11 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1978)
  12. Cover of Tracker by Gary Paulsen, book 11 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1978)
  13. Cover of The Night the White Deer Died by Gary Paulsen, book 12 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1978)
  14. Cover of Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting by Gary Paulsen, book 12 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1979)
  15. Cover of Downhill, Hotdogging, and Cross-Country If the Snow Isn't Sticky by Gary Paulsen (1979)
  16. Cover of Full of Hot Air / Launching, Floating High and Landing by Gary Paulsen (1979)
  17. Cover of Track, Enduro, and Motocross--Unless You Fall Over by Gary Paulsen, book 15 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series
  18. Cover of Pummeling, Falling, and Getting Up Sometimes by Gary Paulsen, book 16 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1979)
  19. Cover of The Spitball Gang by Gary Paulsen, book 14 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1980)
  20. Cover of Motor Cycling by Gary Paulsen, book 19 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1980)
  21. Cover of Skiing by Gary Paulsen, book 20 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1980)
  22. Cover of Tennis by Gary Paulsen, book 21 of the Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction series (1980)
  23. Cover of The Sweeper by Gary Paulsen, book 1 of the Lt. Ronnie Gold series (1981)
  24. Cover of Dancing Carl by Gary Paulsen, book 16 of the Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels series (1983)
  1. 1
    Some Birds Don't FlyGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #11968 · confirmed 3/4
    1968–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  2. 2
    Building a New, Buying an Old, Remodeling a Used Home/Shelter How-to-Do-It BookGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #11976 · 272 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1976272
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  3. 3
    Martin Luther King, the Man Who Climbed the MountainGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #21976 · 63 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197663
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  4. 4
    WinterkillGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #21976 · 142 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1976142
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  5. 5
    The Implosion EffectGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #31976 · confirmed 3/4
    1976–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  6. 6
    The Small OnesGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #31976 · 48 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197648
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  7. 7
    Hitting, Pitching, and Running--MaybeGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #41976 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197631
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  8. 8
    The Death SpecialistsGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #41976 · confirmed 3/4
    1976–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  9. 9
    Dribbling, Shooting, and Scoring--SometimesGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #51976 · confirmed 3/4
    1976–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  10. 10
    The FoxmanGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #51977 · 119 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1977119
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  11. 11
    Riding, Roping, and Bulldogging--AlmostGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #61977 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197731
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  12. 12
    Tiltawhirl John / Tasting the ThunderGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #61977 · 127 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1977127
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  13. 13
    Farm: A History and Celebration of the American FarmerGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #71977 · 125 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1977125
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  14. 14
    The Golden StickGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #71977 · 95 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197795
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  15. 15
    CB Jockey / The C.B. Radio CaperGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #81977 · confirmed 3/4
    1977–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  16. 16
    Tackling, Running, and Kicking - Now and AgainGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #81977 · confirmed 3/4
    1977–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  17. 17
    The Curse of the CobraGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #91977 · 78 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197778
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  18. 18
    Forehanding and Backhanding--If You're LuckyGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #91978 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197831
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  19. 19
    Hiking and BackpackingGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #101978 · 158 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978158
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  20. 20
    The Green RecruitGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #101978 · 105 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978105
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  21. 21
    Successful Home RepairGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #111978 · 141 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978141
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  22. 22
    TrackerGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #111978 · 96 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197896
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  23. 23
    The Night the White Deer DiedGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #121978 · 112 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978112
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  24. 24
    Canoeing, Kayaking, and RaftingGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #121979 · 159 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1979159
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  25. 25
    Downhill, Hotdogging, and Cross-Country If the Snow Isn't StickyGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #131979 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197931
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  26. 26
    Meteorite Track 291Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels #131979 · confirmed 3/4
    1979–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  27. 27
    Full of Hot Air / Launching, Floating High and LandingGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #141979 · confirmed 3/4
    1979–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  28. 28
    Track, Enduro, and Motocross--Unless You Fall OverGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #151979 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197931
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  29. 29
    Pummeling, Falling, and Getting Up SometimesGary Paulsen Non-Fiction #161979 · 31 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197931
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  30. 30
    The Spitball GangGary Paulsen Standalone Novels #141980 · 125 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1980125
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK

Gary Paulsen series and characters in order

The character linked below has its own reading-order page.

Gary Paulsen books grouped by series

Each title below is a row in the publication-order table above. A group whose heading is a link has its own reading-order page; the other groups have no page of their own on this site.

Gary Paulsen Standalone Novels

53 books

53 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Gary Paulsen Non-Fiction

35 books

35 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Duncan Culpepper in order

30 books
  1. 1. The Case of the Dirty Bird
  2. 2. Dunc's Doll
  3. 3. Culpepper's Cannon
  4. 4. Dunc Gets Tweaked
  5. 5. Dunc's Halloween
  6. 6. Dunc Breaks the Record
  7. 7. Dunc and the Flaming Ghost
  8. 8. Amos Gets Famous
  9. 9. Dunc and Amos Hit the Big Top
  10. 10. Dunc's Dump
  11. 11. Dunc and the Scam Artists
  12. 12. Dunc and Amos and the Red Tattoos
  13. and 18 more in the table above

World Of Adventure books in order

18 books by Gary Paulsen
  1. 1. The Legend of Red Horse Cavern
  2. 2. Rodomonte's Revenge / Video Trap
  3. 3. Escape from Fire Mountain
  4. 4. The Rock Jockeys / Devil's Wall
  5. 5. The Gorgon Slayer
  6. 6. Hook 'Em Snotty
  7. 7. Danger on Midnight River
  8. 8. Captive!
  9. 9. Project: A Perfect World / Perfect Danger
  10. 10. The Treasure of El Patron / Treasure Ship
  11. 11. Skydive!
  12. 12. The Seventh Crystal
  13. and 6 more in the table above

Murphy in order

7 books
  1. 1. Murphy
  2. 2. Murphy's Gold
  3. 3. Murphy's Herd
  4. 4. Murphy's War
  5. 5. Murphy's Stand
  6. 6. Murphy's Ambush
  7. 7. Murphy's Trail

Tales to Tickle the Funnybone in order

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

Brian Robeson in order

5 books
  1. 1. Hatchet
  2. 2. The River / The Return
  3. 3. Brian's Winter / Winter
  4. 4. Brian's Return / The Call
  5. 5. Brian's Hunt

Francis Tucket in order

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

Gary Paulsen Picture in order

4 books
  1. 1. Dogteam
  2. 2. The Tortilla Factory
  3. 3. Work Song
  4. 4. Canoe Days

Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties Of... in order

4 books
  1. 1. Liar, Liar
  2. 2. Flat Broke
  3. 3. Crush
  4. 4. Vote

Alida in order

3 books
  1. 1. The Cookcamp
  2. 2. Alida's Song
  3. 3. The Quilt

Lt. Ronnie Gold in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Sweeper
  2. 2. Clutterkill

Nightjohn in order

2 books
  1. 1. Nightjohn
  2. 2. Sarny

Gary Paulsen Short Story

2 books

2 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Lawn Boy in order

2 books
  1. 1. Lawn Boy
  2. 2. Lawn Boy Returns

Road Trip Series in order

2 books
  1. 1. Road Trip
  2. 2. Field Trip

Liar, Liar in order

1 book
  1. 1. Family Ties

Do you have to read Gary Paulsen books in order?

You only need to read Gary Paulsen books in order within each series: the books listed here span 13 separate series, and each series has its own publication order.

Where to start with Gary Paulsen

Start with The Legend of Red Horse Cavern (1994), the first World of Adventure book. The earliest catalogued title overall is Some Birds Don't Fly (1968).

What is the newest Gary Paulsen book?

Northwind (2022) is the newest Gary Paulsen book released so far.

Is there a new Gary Paulsen book coming?

No next Gary Paulsen book is announced in the catalogue, which is a gap in the listings it merges rather than a sign that the run has ended.

Awards Gary Paulsen has won

Wikidata records 2 awards for Gary Paulsen. Each row states whether the title won or was shortlisted, and the year the award was given.

  • Margaret Edwards Award1997Won
  • Regina Medal1995Won

Gary Paulsen at a glance

Died
Gary Paulsen died in 2021, according to Wikidata.
After death
Books credited to Gary Paulsen are still being published after Gary Paulsen's death in 2021; the newest appeared in 2022.
Release pace
Gary Paulsen books have appeared more than one a year on average.
Length
16,056 pages across the 135 of 181 books with a recorded length, a median of 105 pages each.
Busiest decade
Most Gary Paulsen books, 94 of 181, were published in the 1990s.
Corroboration
4 of the 181 titles appear in all four independent book listings, and every one of them in at least three.

What the Gary Paulsen books are about

155 of the 181 Gary Paulsen books carry subject tags in Open Library's catalogue. The subjects below are the ones that recur across them, most frequent first: children's fiction is tagged on 63 of 155. The subjects are cataloguers’ headings, not a plot summary.