If you’re a fan of action-packed adventures, laugh-out-loud humor, or relatable characters navigating the ups and downs of youth, Gordon Korman’s books are a must-read. This Canadian-American author has been captivating young readers for over four decades with more than 100 books, many of which are beloved series like Macdonald Hall, Swindle, and The 39 Clues. Whether you’re a parent looking for engaging reads for your kids or a young adult diving into Korman’s world of mischief and mystery, this guide will help you navigate his extensive bibliography.
In this post, we’ll provide a complete list of Gordon Korman’s books in order, organized by series in an easy-to-read table format. We’ll also answer five frequently asked questions about his work and wrap up with why Korman remains a favorite among readers of all ages. Let’s dive into the world of Gordon Korman!
Who Is Gordon Korman?
Gordon Korman is a literary legend in children’s and young adult fiction. Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1963, he wrote his first novel, This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!, as a seventh-grade English project at age 12. Published in 1978 when he was just 14, it launched a career that’s spanned over 40 years and produced bestsellers translated into more than 20 languages. Known for his humor, adventure, and relatable themes like friendship and overcoming challenges, Korman’s books resonate with kids, teens, and adults alike.
From the mischievous antics of Bruno and Boots in Macdonald Hall to the thrilling heists of Swindle, Korman’s stories are packed with heart and excitement. Below, you’ll find his complete bibliography organized by series and publication order, perfect for planning your next read or collecting his works.
Complete List of Gordon Korman Books in Order by Series
Gordon Korman’s books are often part of series, but he’s also written standalone novels and contributed to multi-author projects like The 39 Clues. Below is a comprehensive table listing all his series books in publication order, followed by standalone novels. Note that some books have alternate titles, which are included where applicable. The upcoming Hypergifted (2026) and Sleepless (2026) are also listed based on recent announcements.
| Series | Book Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| Macdonald Hall | This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! | 1977 |
| Go Jump in the Pool! | 1979 | |
| Beware the Fish! | 1980 | |
| The War with Mr. Wizzle | 1982 | |
| The Zucchini Warriors | 1988 | |
| Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood (aka Lights, Camera, Disaster!) | 1991 | |
| Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall (aka The Joke’s On Us) | 1995 | |
| Bugs Potter | Who Is Bugs Potter? | 1980 |
| Bugs Potter Live at Nickaninny | 1983 | |
| Jeremy Bloom Collections | The D-Poems of Jeremy Bloom: A Collection of Poems About School, Homework, and Life (Sort Of) | 1992 |
| The Last-Place Sports Poems of Jeremy Bloom: A Collection of Poems About Winning, Losing, and Being a Good Sport (Sometimes) | 1996 | |
| Monday Night Football Club | Quarterback Exchange: I Was John Elway | 1997 |
| Running Back Conversion: I Was Barry Sanders | 1997 | |
| The Super Bowl Switch: I Was Dan Marino | 1997 | |
| Heavy Artillery: I Was Junior Seau | 1997 | |
| Ultimate Scoring Machine: I Was Jerry Rice | 1998 | |
| NFL Rules!: Bloopers, Pranks, Upsets, and Touchdowns | 1998 | |
| Slapshots | The Stars From Mars | 1999 |
| All-Mars All-Stars (aka The Dream Team) | 1999 | |
| The Face-Off Phony | 2000 | |
| Cup Crazy | 2000 | |
| Nose Pickers from Outer Space | Nosepickers from Outer Space | 1999 |
| Planet of the Nose Pickers | 2000 | |
| Your Mummy Is a Nose Picker | 2000 | |
| Invasion of the Nose Pickers | 2001 | |
| Island | Shipwreck | 2001 |
| Survival | 2001 | |
| Escape | 2001 | |
| Everest | The Contest | 2002 |
| The Climb | 2002 | |
| The Summit | 2002 | |
| Dive | The Discovery | 2003 |
| The Deep | 2003 | |
| The Danger | 2003 | |
| Son of the Mob | Son of the Mob | 2002 |
| Hollywood Hustle | 2004 | |
| On the Run | Chasing the Falconers | 2005 |
| The Fugitive Factor | 2005 | |
| Now You See Them, Now You Don’t | 2005 | |
| The Stowaway Solution | 2005 | |
| Public Enemies | 2005 | |
| Hunting the Hunter | 2006 | |
| Kidnapped | The Abduction | 2006 |
| The Search | 2006 | |
| The Rescue | 2006 | |
| Swindle | Swindle | 2008 |
| Zoobreak | 2009 | |
| Framed | 2010 | |
| Showoff | 2012 | |
| Hideout | 2013 | |
| Jackpot | 2014 | |
| Unleashed | 2015 | |
| Jingle | 2016 | |
| The 39 Clues | One False Note (#2) | 2008 |
| The Emperor’s Code (#8) | 2010 | |
| Titanic | Unsinkable | 2011 |
| Collision Course | 2011 | |
| S.O.S. | 2011 | |
| Ungifted | Ungifted | 2012 |
| Supergifted | 2018 | |
| Hypergifted | 2026 | |
| Hypnotists | The Hypnotists | 2013 |
| Memory Maze | 2014 | |
| The Dragonfly Effect | 2015 | |
| Masterminds | Masterminds | 2015 |
| Criminal Destiny | 2016 | |
| Payback | 2017 |
Standalone Novels
| Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|
| Our Man Weston | 1982 |
| No Coins, Please | 1984 |
| I Want to Go Home | 1985 |
| Son of Interflux | 1986 |
| Don’t Care High | 1986 |
| A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag | 1987 |
| Radio Fifth Grade | 1989 |
| Losing Joe’s Place | 1990 |
| The Twinkie Squad | 1992 |
| The Toilet Paper Tigers | 1993 |
| Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road? | 1994 |
| The Chicken Doesn’t Skate | 1996 |
| Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire | 1997 |
| The Sixth Grade Nickname Game | 1998 |
| No More Dead Dogs | 2000 |
| Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America | 2003 |
| Jake, Reinvented | 2003 |
| Born to Rock | 2006 |
| Schooled | 2007 |
| The Juvie Three | 2008 |
| Pop | 2009 |
| The Fort | 2022 |
| The Superteacher Project | 2023 |
| Slugfest | 2024 |
| Faker | 2024 |
| Snoop | 2025 |
| Sleepless | 2026 |
This table covers all known Gordon Korman series and standalone novels as of September 2025, with publication years sourced from reliable databases.
Why Read Gordon Korman’s Books?
Korman’s books are a treasure trove for young readers and adults who enjoy lighthearted yet meaningful stories. His series often blend humor with themes of teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, making them perfect for middle-grade and young adult audiences. For example:
- Macdonald Hall follows the hilarious pranks of Bruno and Boots, perfect for readers who love school-based mischief.
- Swindle offers fast-paced heist adventures with a group of clever kids outsmarting adults.
- The 39 Clues combines global treasure hunts with historical intrigue, appealing to fans of mystery and adventure.
His standalone novels, like Restart and Schooled, tackle deeper themes like redemption and identity while keeping the tone accessible and engaging. Korman’s ability to craft relatable characters and gripping plots has made him a staple in classrooms and libraries worldwide.
5 FAQs About Gordon Korman Books
1. What is Gordon Korman’s most popular book?
Gordon Korman’s most popular book, based on readership data, is One False Note from The 39 Clues series, followed closely by Restart, a standalone novel about a boy rediscovering himself after amnesia. Both are widely praised for their engaging plots and relatable characters.
2. What age group are Gordon Korman’s books for?
Most of Korman’s books target middle-grade readers (ages 8–12) and young adults (ages 12–16). Series like Macdonald Hall and Swindle are great for younger readers, while standalone novels like Born to Rock and Jake, Reinvented appeal to teens with more mature themes.
3. In what order should I read the Macdonald Hall series?
The Macdonald Hall series should be read in publication order for the best experience:
- This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! (1977)
- Go Jump in the Pool! (1979)
- Beware the Fish! (1980)
- The War with Mr. Wizzle (1982)
- The Zucchini Warriors (1988)
- Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood (1991)
- Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall (1995)
4. Are Gordon Korman’s books part of a shared universe?
Most of Korman’s series are standalone universes, but some, like Ungifted and Supergifted, share characters and settings. His standalone novels occasionally include Easter eggs referencing other works, but they’re not explicitly connected.
5. What is Gordon Korman’s latest book?
As of September 2025, Korman’s most recent book is Snoop (July 2025). Upcoming releases include Hypergifted (February 2026) and Sleepless (July 2026).
Conclusion
Gordon Korman’s books offer something for everyone—humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments that resonate with readers of all ages. From the classic pranks of Macdonald Hall to the thrilling mysteries of The 39 Clues, his series and standalone novels are perfect for sparking a love of reading in kids and teens. With over 100 books and counting, Korman’s legacy as a master storyteller continues to grow. Use the table above to plan your reading journey, and dive into his world of mischief and mayhem today! For more details, visit GordonKorman.com or check out fan communities on NewBooksinorder. Happy reading!
