Gordon Korman Books in Order: The Ultimate Middle-Grade & YA Guide

If you love fast-paced escapades, quick-witted kid geniuses, and stories where underdog students outsmart ridiculous adults, Gordon Korman belongs at the absolute center of your bookshelf. Since publishing his very first novel at just 14 years old, Korman has written over 100 books, making him a cornerstone of middle-grade and young adult fiction.

From the nostalgic prank wars of Bruno and Boots to viral contemporary favorites like Restart, Korman’s catalog is vast. Navigating his books by series—and grouping his legendary standalone novels—is the best way to dive into his decades-spanning universe.

The Ultimate Reading Vibe: What to Expect

Before you crack open a Korman novel, here are the core pillars that define his storytelling style:

Underdogs with a Plan: Korman loves a heist, a scheme, or an impossible mission. His young protagonists are highly capable, incredibly inventive, and rarely back down from a challenge.
Heart Blended with Humor: While his books are famous for laugh-out-loud dialogue and absurd situations, they frequently tackle deeply touching themes like amnesia, redemption, neurodiversity, and historical memory.

1. The Swindle Series

This is Korman’s ultimate caper franchise. It follows Griffin Bing (the “Man with the Plan”) and his specialized team of friends as they pull off clever, Robin Hood-style heists to retrieve stolen items, rescue animals, and outsmart corrupt collectors.

1. Swindle (2008)
2. Zoobreak (2009)
3. Framed (2010)
4. Showoff (2012)
5. Hideout (2013)
6. Jackpot (2014)
7. Unleashed (2015)
8. Jingle (2016)

2. The Gifted (Ungifted) Trilogy

What happens when a notorious middle-school troublemaker accidentally gets sent to a school for ultra-geniuses? This brilliant, multi-POV series explores intelligence, friendship, and what it truly means to be “gifted.”

1. Ungifted (2012)
2. Supergifted (2018)
3. Hypergifted (February 2026) – The long-awaited trilogy conclusion focusing on super-genius Noah Youkilis trying to survive an early university placement.

3. The Masterminds Trilogy

A high-concept, thrilling sci-fi mystery series. A group of kids living in a perfect, crime-free utopian town discover a dark secret: they are actually clones of the world’s most notorious criminal masterminds, kept there as a secret experiment.

1. Masterminds (2015)
2. Masterminds: Criminal Destiny (2016)
3. Masterminds: Payback (2017)

4. The Macdonald Hall (Bruno & Boots) Series

This is where it all began. Written when Korman was still a student himself, this classic series follows the hilarious, chaotic roommate duo of Bruno Walton and Boots O’Neal as they launch elaborate pranks at their Canadian boarding school.

1. This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! (1978)
2. Go Jump in the Pool (1979)
3. Beware the Fish! (1980)
4. The Wizzle War (1982) – Originally titled “The War with Mr. Wizzle.”
5. The Zucchini Warriors (1988)
6. Lights, Camera, Disaster (1991) – Originally titled “Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood.”
7. The Joke’s On Us (1995) – Originally titled “Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall.”

5. Survival Adventure Trilogies

In the early 2000s, Korman mastered the continuous, high-intensity survival adventure format, launching several three-part series where teams of kids face perilous elements.

Island Trilogy

1. Shipwreck (2001)
2. Survival (2001)
3. Escape (2001)

Everest Trilogy

1. Contest (2002)
2. Climb (2002)
3. Summit (2002)

Dive Trilogy

1. The Discovery (2003)
2. The Deep (2003)
3. The Danger (2003)

Titanic Trilogy

1. Unsinkable (2011)
2. Collision Course (2011)
3. S.O.S (2011)

6. The 39 Clues (Contributions)

Korman was a primary architect for Scholastic’s massive multi-author multimedia franchise, The 39 Clues, centering on the orphan Cahill siblings racing around the globe.

Book 2: One False Note (2008)
Book 8: The Emperor’s Code (2010)
Vespers Rising (2011) – Co-authored.
Cahills vs. Vespers Book 1: The Medusa Plot (2011)
Unstoppable Book 4: Flashpoint (2014)

7. The Slacker Duology

1. Slacker (2016)
2. Level 13: A Slacker Novel (2019)

8. Acclaimed Contemporary Standalone Novels (Chronological Order)

While Korman’s series are legendary, his modern era standalone novels are widely considered some of his most profound and celebrated literary achievements.

No More Dead Dogs (2000)
Jake, Reinvented (2003) – A brilliant modern YA retelling of The Great Gatsby.
Schooled (2007) – A heartwarming look at a homeschooled boy raised on a hippie commune entering a public middle school.
Pop (2009)
Restart (2017) – His massive breakout modern classic about a middle-school bully who loses his memory and gets a second chance to choose who he wants to be.
The Unteachables (2019)
War Stories (2020)
Linked (2021)
The Fort (2022)
The Superteacher Project (2023)
Slugfest (2024)
Faker (2024)
Old School (January 2025)
Snoop (July 2025) – A wildly popular, bestselling neighborhood mystery inspired by Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
Sleepless (Scheduled Release: Mid-2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gordon Korman’s most popular book?

While Swindle and Schooled are wildly popular staples in classrooms, Restart is widely recognized as his massive modern phenomenon. Its profound exploration of empathy, bullying, and identity has made it an essential read for middle-schoolers worldwide.

Do I need to read his standalone books in any specific order?

Not at all. Each standalone book listed above contains an entirely independent cast of characters, settings, and conflicts. You can dive into Restart, Snoop, or Schooled in whatever order catches your eye!

Final Thoughts: A Master of Middle-Grade Fiction

Gordon Korman has spent decades proving that books for young readers can be genuinely hilarious, highly suspenseful, and emotionally resonant all at once. Whether you want to join the heist crew in Swindle, unearth secrets in Masterminds, or explore a fresh perspective on life in Restart, Korman guarantees an unforgettable ride. Pick up a copy to start your reading marathon today!

Know Your Author

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.