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Gordon Korman

4 series 20 books in order 2 standalone books

Gordon Korman was born in Montreal, Quebec, and in 1970 moved with his parents to Thornhill, Ontario. He wrote his first novel, This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall, while in 7th grade as part of a school writing assignment. The book was published in 1978 when Korman was 14 years old. He wrote and published four more books during high school. After high school, he moved to New York City and studied film and film writing at New York University, earning a B.A. in Dramatic and Visual Writing in 1985. Korman has written more than 75 books. He lives in Great Neck, New York, with his wife and three children. He is a Canadian American children's writer.

Born
1963
Known for
The 39 Clues, Bruno and Boots, Island, On the Run

Where to start with Gordon Korman

Start with This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall, the first book in the Bruno and Boots series and Korman’s debut novel. Published in 1978, it marks the beginning of his career and introduces the misadventures of the misfit student Bruno and his loyal dog Boots. Proceed with the remaining books in the Bruno and Boots series in publication order, as they form a connected sequence. After completing the series, explore Korman’s standalone works, beginning with Shipwreck (2001), followed by Who is Bugs Potter? (1980), and then Ungifted (2012). The 39 Clues series, while a separate adventure, is not recommended as a starting point due to its distinct narrative structure and later publication date. The Bruno and Boots series offers the most natural entry into Korman’s writing style and storytelling approach.

Series by Gordon Korman

The 39 Clues

12 books in order · 2008–2012

  1. Cover of One False Note

    One False Note

    2008 · Gordon Korman

    A police report details a break-in at an elite hotel, where a million dollars or a clue is missing. The suspects involved appear to be Amy and Dan. A…

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  2. Cover of The Maze of Bones

    The Maze of Bones

    2008 · Rick Riordan

    Minutes before she died, Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible choice: one million dollars or a clue. Grace was the…

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  3. Beyond the Grave

    2009 · Jude Watson

    Beyond the Grave is the fourth book in The 39 Clues series, written by Jude Watson and published on June 2, 2009. The story follows Amy and Dan…

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  4. Cover of In Too Deep

    In Too Deep

    2009 · Jude Watson

    Book 6 in the 39 Clues series explores the possibility that Amy and Dan's greatest enemy might be someone they trust. The novel follows 14-year-old…

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  5. Cover of The Black Circle

    The Black Circle

    2009 · Patrick Carman

    The Black Circle is the fifth book in The 39 Clues series, written by Patrick Carman. It was published on August 11, 2009, and was chosen as a book…

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  6. Cover of The Sword Thief

    The Sword Thief

    2009 · Peter Lerangis

    The Sword Thief is the third book in The 39 Clues series. It was written by Peter Lerangis and published by Scholastic on March 3, 2009. The story…

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  7. Cover of Into the Gauntlet

    Into the Gauntlet

    2010 · Margaret Peterson Haddix

    Amy and Dan Cahill have spent the series uncovering history's greatest mysteries and their family's dangerous secrets. In the final book, they face…

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  8. Cover of Storm Warning

    Storm Warning

    2010 · Linda Sue Park

    The shadow of the man in black has followed fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother Dan on their worldwide search for 39 Clues that lead…

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  9. Cover of The Emperor's Code

    The Emperor's Code

    2010 · Gordon Korman

    In this novel by Gordon Korman, Amy and Dan are separated while trying to retrieve a clue guarded by thousands of soldiers, and worry they cannot…

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  10. Cover of The Viper's Nest

    The Viper's Nest

    2010 · Peter Lerangis

    Amy and Dan Cahill are on a search for 39 clues. In this book they receive a mysterious envelope leading to many dangers and secrets they are…

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Show all 12 The 39 Clues books in order →

Bruno and Boots

7 books in order · 1978–1995

  1. This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall

    1978 · Gordon Korman

    This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall is a 1978 novel by Gordon Korman and the first installment in the Macdonald Hall series. It was Korman's…

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  2. Go Jump in the Pool

    1979 · Gordon Korman

    Go Jump in the Pool is a 1979 book by Gordon Korman. It is book 2 of the series Bruno and Boots.

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  3. Beware the Fish!

    1980 · Gordon Korman

    Beware The Fish! is the third book in the Macdonald Hall series, continuing the adventures of the main characters Bruno and Boots alongside the…

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  4. The War with Mr. Wizzle

    1982 · Gordon Korman

    The War with Mr. Wizzle is the fourth book in the Macdonald Hall series, originally published in 1982 by Gordon Korman. It was republished in 2003…

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  5. Cover of The Zucchini Warriors

    The Zucchini Warriors

    1988 · Gordon Korman

    Roommates Bruno and Boots find obstacles in their way as they attempt to lead the Macdonald Hall Zucchini Warriors to a victorious football season…

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  6. Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood

    1991 · Gordon Korman

    Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood is the sixth novel in Gordon Korman's Bruno and Boots series, following the adventures of Bruno Walton and his best…

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  7. Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall

    1995 · Gordon Korman

    Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall is a 1995 book by Gordon Korman. It is book 7 of the series Bruno and Boots.

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Island

3 books in order · 2001

  1. Cover of Shipwreck

    Shipwreck

    2001 · Gordon Korman

    Six kids—Nick, J.J., Will, Lyssa, Charla, and Ian—are brought together on a small boat for a one-month journey across the Pacific Ocean, each having…

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  2. Cover of Survival

    Survival

    2001 · Gordon Korman

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  3. Cover of Escape

    Escape

    2001 · Gordon Korman

    Six kids—Nick, J.J., Will, Lyssa, Charla, and Ian—are brought together on a small boat for a one-month journey across the Pacific Ocean, each having…

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On the Run

6 books in order · 2005

  1. Cover of Chasing the Falconers

    Chasing the Falconers

    2005 · Gordon Korman

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  2. Cover of Fugitive Factor

    Fugitive Factor

    2005 · Gordon Korman

    Aiden and Meg Falconer seek evidence to free their parents, who are serving life sentences, while living undercover after escaping a juvenile…

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  3. Cover of Now You See Them, Now You Don't
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  4. Cover of The Stowaway Solution

    The Stowaway Solution

    2005 · Gordon Korman

    Aiden and Meg Falconer search for the one person who can free their parents from jail, facing pursuit from the FBI and a mysterious, hairless killer.…

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  5. Cover of Public enemies

    Public enemies

    2005 · Gordon Korman

    Aiden and Meg Falconer have been pursued across multiple states by the FBI and a mysterious killer known only as Hairless Joe. Their journey is…

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  6. Cover of Hunting the Hunter

    Hunting the Hunter

    2005 · Gordon Korman

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Standalone books

  1. Cover of Ungifted
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  2. Cover of Who is Bugs Potter?
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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Gordon Korman written?

We list 20 books by Gordon Korman across 4 series, published between 1978–2012 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Gordon Korman's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Dead of Night.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Gordon Korman's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.