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Jack Gantos Books in Order
Jack Gantos is a celebrated American author of children's books, recognized for his poignant portrayals of complex characters, including the iconic Joey Pigza, a boy with ADHD, and beloved characters like Rotten Ralph and Jack Henry. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor, Scott O'Dell Award, Printz Honor, and Sibert Honor from the American Library Association, Gantos has also been a finalist for the National Book Award. Born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to a construction superintendent and a banker, Gantos' writing career began in sixth grade, sparked by his desire to outdo his sister's diary writing. He drew from his experiences growing up in Barbados, South Florida, and St. Croix, where he worked as a builder before pursuing higher education.
Bibliography verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What are all of Jack Gantos's book series? Jack Gantos has written 9 book series. The most notable is the Graphic series.
Complete series list with all books in reading order below.
Book Series by Jack Gantos
- #1
A Suicide Bomber Sits in the Library(2019)
- #1
The Dented Head of Joey Pigza(2019) - #2
A Pain in the Pigza(2019)
- #1
Heads or Tails(1994) - #2
Jack's New Power(1995) - #3
Jack's Black Book(1997) - #4
Jack on the Tracks(1999) - #5
Jack Adrift(2003)
- #1
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key(1998) - #2Joey Pigza Loses Control(2000)
- #3
What Would Joey Do?(2002) - #4
I Am Not Joey Pigza(2007) - #5
The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza(2014)
- #1
Hole in My Life(2002) - #2
Writing Radar(2017)
- #1
Dead End in Norvelt(2011) - #2
From Norvelt to Nowhere(2013)
- #1
Sleepy Ronald(1976) - #2
Fair-Weather Friends(1977) - #3
Aunt Bernice(1978) - #4
The Perfect Pal(1979) - #5
Greedy Greeny(1979) - #6
Swampy Alligator(1980) - #7
The Werewolf Family(1980) - #8
This Family Is Driving Me Crazy(2009) - #9
Here I Stand: Stories That Speak For Freedom(2016)
- #1Rotten Ralph(1975)
- #2
Worse Than Rotten, Ralph(1977) - #3Rotten Ralph Helps Out(1980)
- #4Rotten Ralph's Rotten Christmas(1984)
- #5Rotten Ralph's Trick or Treat(1986)
- #6Rotten Ralph's Show and Tell(1989)
- #7Happy Birthday Rotten Ralph(1990)
- #8
Not So Rotten Ralph(1994) - #9Rotten Ralph's Rotten Romance(1997)
- #10
Rotten Ralph's Halloween Howl(1998) - #11Back to School for Rotten Ralph(1998)
- #12
Best in Show for Rotten Ralph(1998) - #13
The Christmas Spirit Strikes Rotten Ralph(1998) - #14Wedding Bells for Rotten Ralph(1999)
- #15
Rotten Ralph's Thanksgiving Wish(1999) - #16
Practice Makes Perfect for Rotten Ralph(2002) - #17Rotten Ralph Feels Rotten(2004)
- #18Best in Show for Rotten Ralph [With Book](2008)
- #19
The Nine Lives of Rotten Ralph(2009) - #20
Three Strikes for Rotten Ralph(2011) - #21
Rotten Ralph's Rotten Family(2014)
- #1
Willy's Raiders(1980) - #2
Zip Six(1996) - #3
Desire Lines(1997) - #4The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs(2006)
- #5
The Trouble in Me(2015)
About Jack Gantos
Jack Gantos is a celebrated American author of children's books, recognized for his poignant portrayals of complex characters, including the iconic Joey Pigza, a boy with ADHD, and beloved characters like Rotten Ralph and Jack Henry. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor, Scott O'Dell Award, Printz Honor, and Sibert Honor from the American Library Association, Gantos has also been a finalist for the National Book Award. Born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to a construction superintendent and a banker, Gantos' writing career began in sixth grade, sparked by his desire to outdo his sister's diary writing. He drew from his experiences growing up in Barbados, South Florida, and St. Croix, where he worked as a builder before pursuing higher education.
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