Introduction
Stuart Gibbs is a New York Times bestselling author whose middle-grade novels blend humor, adventure, and mystery, captivating young readers, parents, and educators alike. Known for series like Spy School, FunJungle, and Moon Base Alpha, Gibbs crafts stories with relatable characters, thrilling plots, and laugh-out-loud moments that keep readers hooked. Whether you’re a fan of espionage, zoo mysteries, or sci-fi adventures, there’s a Stuart Gibbs book for you. This guide provides a complete, up-to-date list of Stuart Gibbs books in order by publication date, covering all his series and standalone novels. Ready to dive into Stuart Gibbs’ exciting world? Let’s explore his action-packed stories and find your next favorite read!
Who is Stuart Gibbs?
Stuart Gibbs is an American author celebrated for his fast-paced, humorous middle-grade books that appeal to readers aged 8–14. Born in Philadelphia in 1969, Gibbs studied biology in college, worked at a zoo researching capybaras, and wrote screenplays for films like See Spot Run before turning to novels. His writing style combines witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and relatable protagonists, making his books a hit with young readers and adults alike. Gibbs’ most popular series—Spy School, FunJungle, Moon Base Alpha, and Charlie Thorne—offer adventure, mystery, and a touch of science. Fun fact: Gibbs got the idea for Spy School from a childhood story he wrote called “The Kid With The Golden Water Pistol”! Whether you’re new to his work or a longtime fan, this guide to Stuart Gibbs middle-grade books will help you navigate his exciting bibliography.
Stuart Gibbs Books in Publication Order
Below is a comprehensive list of Stuart Gibbs books in order by publication date, grouped by series and standalone works. Each series includes a brief overview, followed by book titles, publication dates, and a one-sentence summary of each plot, avoiding spoilers.
FunJungle Series
Overview: The FunJungle series follows Theodore “Teddy” Fitzroy, a 12-year-old living at the fictional FunJungle zoo, where he solves animal-related mysteries with humor and courage. Perfect for animal lovers, this series blends adventure and environmental themes for ages 8–12.
- Belly Up (2010) – Teddy investigates the suspicious death of Henry the Hippo at FunJungle, uncovering a web of zoo secrets.
- Poached (2014) – Teddy works to clear his name when a koala goes missing and he’s accused of theft.
- Big Game (2015) – A rhinoceros is targeted by poachers, and Teddy must protect the endangered animal.
- Panda-monium (2017) – Teddy searches for a missing panda while navigating tensions around international animal diplomacy.
- Lion Down (2019) – A mountain lion is blamed for killing a famous dog, and Teddy investigates to uncover the truth.
- Tyrannosaurus Wrecks (2020) – Teddy dives into a mystery when a T-Rex skull disappears from a dig site.
- Bear Bottom (2021) – While visiting Yellowstone, Teddy tackles a missing necklace and disappearing bison.
- Whale Done (2023) – Teddy investigates a beached whale explosion in Malibu, uncovering environmental crimes.
- All Ears (2025) – Teddy helps return escaped elephants to their sanctuary while clearing his friend of vandalism charges.
- Ape Escape (2026) – Teddy travels to Rwanda to find a stolen baby gorilla while solving another mystery back at FunJungle.
The Last Musketeer Series
Overview: This historical adventure series follows 14-year-old Greg Rich, who time-travels to 17th-century France, teaming up with the Three Musketeers to save his parents. Ideal for ages 8–12, it mixes history and action.
- The Last Musketeer (2011) – Greg is transported to 1615 France, where he joins the Musketeers to rescue his parents from a villainous plot.
- Traitor’s Chase (2012) – Greg and the Musketeers pursue a traitor across Europe to prevent a royal assassination.
- Double Cross (2013) – Greg faces new dangers as he uncovers a conspiracy threatening the French throne.
Spy School Series
Overview: The Spy School series centers on 12-year-old Ben Ripley, a math whiz recruited to a secret CIA academy, where he tackles espionage missions with humor and heart. A favorite for spy fans aged 8–14.
- Spy School (2012) – Ben, recruited as bait to catch a mole, uncovers a dangerous plot at the CIA’s Academy of Espionage.
- Spy Camp (2013) – Ben faces enemy spies infiltrating a wilderness spy training camp.
- Evil Spy School (2015) – Ben goes undercover at an evil spy organization to take it down from within.
- Spy Ski School (2016) – Ben goes on a mission to befriend a suspect’s daughter on a ski trip, facing unexpected dangers.
- Secret Service (2017) – Ben goes undercover in the White House to stop an assassination plot.
- Goes South (2018) – Ben travels to Mexico to confront his nemesis, SPYDER, in a high-stakes mission.
- British Invasion (2019) – Ben teams up with British spies to thwart a global conspiracy.
- Revolution (2020) – Ben investigates a mysterious group called the Croatoan with ties to the American Revolution.
- At Sea (2021) – Ben faces danger on a cruise ship while tracking a new enemy.
- Project X (2022) – Ben tackles a cybersecurity threat that shuts down global networks.
- Goes North (2023) – Ben heads to the Arctic to stop a villainous scheme in a frozen wilderness.
- Goes Wild (2024) – Ben gets lost in a dangerous wilderness while pursuing his nemesis, Murray Hill.
- Entrance Exam (2024) – A puzzle book with crosswords and challenges set in the Spy School universe, co-authored with Jeff Chen.
- Blackout (2025) – Ben and his team make an emergency landing in Indonesia to stop a hacker causing global chaos.
Spy School Graphic Novels
Overview: These graphic novel adaptations of the Spy School series bring Ben’s adventures to life with vibrant art, aimed at ages 8–12.
- Spy School the Graphic Novel (2022) – Ben’s first mission at the CIA academy is reimagined with dynamic illustrations.
- Spy Camp the Graphic Novel (2023) – Ben’s summer camp adventure gets a visual twist as he battles enemy spies.
- Spy Ski School the Graphic Novel (2025) – Ben’s ski mission comes to life in graphic novel form.
- Secret Service the Graphic Novel (2026) – Ben’s White House mission is adapted into a thrilling graphic novel.
Moon Base Alpha Series
Overview: Set in 2041, this sci-fi mystery series follows 12-year-old Dashiell “Dash” Gibson on the first human lunar colony, solving high-stakes mysteries. Great for ages 8–12.
- Space Case (2014) – Dash investigates the mysterious death of a scientist on Moon Base Alpha.
- Spaced Out (2016) – Dash searches for the missing base commander before chaos erupts on the lunar colony.
- Waste of Space (2018) – Dash uncovers a poisoning plot involving a wealthy lunar tourist.
- Space Case the Graphic Novel (2025) – Dash’s first lunar mystery is adapted into a stunning graphic novel.
Charlie Thorne Series
Overview: This action-packed series follows 12-year-old genius Charlie Thorne as she races to uncover historical secrets for the CIA. Ideal for ages 10–14 with a taste for adventure.
- Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (2019) – Charlie hunts for Einstein’s dangerous equation, Pandora, before it falls into the wrong hands.
- Charlie Thorne and the Lost City (2021) – Charlie searches for Charles Darwin’s hidden treasure in South America.
- Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra (2022) – Charlie races to find Cleopatra’s mysterious treasure across ancient ruins.
Once Upon a Tim Series
Overview: A humorous fantasy series about Tim, a peasant aspiring to be a knight, facing quirky challenges with his friends. Perfect for ages 7–10.
- Once Upon a Tim (2022) – Tim and his friends battle dangerous creatures and villains to prove his knighthood.
- The Labyrinth of Doom (2022) – Tim navigates a deadly maze filled with carnivorous butterflies and grumpy squirrels.
- The Sea of Terror (2023) – Tim faces pirates and sea monsters on a quest to save his friends.
- Quest of Danger (2023) – Tim embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve a magical artifact.
Standalone Books
- Bruce Wayne: Not Super (2023) – A reimagined Batman origin story where Bruce relies on his wits, not superpowers, to fight villains.
Which Stuart Gibbs Series Should You Start With?
With so many Stuart Gibbs book series, choosing where to begin can be exciting yet overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide to help:
- Spy School: Start here if you love espionage, witty humor, and fast-paced missions. Ben Ripley’s adventures are perfect for readers aged 8–14 who enjoy spy stories like Alex Rider. Try Spy School (2012) first.
- FunJungle: Ideal for animal lovers and mystery fans aged 8–12. Teddy’s zoo adventures in Belly Up (2010) mix animal facts with sleuthing.
- Moon Base Alpha: Pick this for sci-fi fans aged 8–12. Space Case (2014) offers lunar mysteries with a futuristic twist.
- Charlie Thorne: Best for older readers (10–14) who enjoy history and high-stakes adventure. Start with Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (2019).
- Once Upon a Tim: Great for younger readers (7–10) who love fantasy and humor. Begin with Once Upon a Tim (2022).
Call-to-Action: Which Stuart Gibbs series is your favorite, or which are you excited to start? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts!
Series Summary Table
| Series Name | Book Count | Recommended Age | Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FunJungle | 10 | 8–12 | Zoo mysteries, animals |
| Spy School | 14 | 8–14 | Espionage, humor |
| Moon Base Alpha | 4 | 8–12 | Sci-fi, lunar mysteries |
| Charlie Thorne | 3 | 10–14 | Historical adventure |
| Once Upon a Tim | 4 | 7–10 | Fantasy, humor |
| The Last Musketeer | 3 | 8–12 | Historical adventure |
What’s Next for Stuart Gibbs?
As of July 2025, Stuart Gibbs has two confirmed upcoming releases: Spy School Blackout (October 7, 2025), the 13th Spy School novel, and Space Case the Graphic Novel (August 19, 2025), the first Moon Base Alpha graphic novel. Ape Escape (FunJungle #10) is slated for 2026, and Spy School Secret Service the Graphic Novel is also expected in 2026. Fans can pre-order these titles on Amazon or check Stuart Gibbs’ official website for updates. Follow Gibbs on social media for news on meet-and-greets or additional Stuart Gibbs new releases. His blog often shares fun insights, like pairing books with ice cream flavors
Conclusion
This guide to Stuart Gibbs books in order is your one-stop resource for exploring his thrilling middle-grade series. From Ben Ripley’s spy missions to Teddy Fitzroy’s zoo adventures, Gibbs’ stories offer something for every young reader. Whether you’re a parent seeking age-appropriate books, a teacher building a classroom library, or a fan revisiting favorites, start your journey with Spy School or Belly Up and dive into the fun! Which Stuart Gibbs book is your favorite? Share in the comments below, and don’t forget to spread the word by sharing this guide with fellow book lovers!
Downloadable Checklist: Want to track your Stuart Gibbs reading? Download our PDF checklist of Stuart Gibbs books to mark your progress!
Poll: Which Stuart Gibbs series is your favorite?
- Spy School
- FunJungle
- Moon Base Alpha
- Charlie Thorne
- Once Upon a Tim
Vote in the comments!
