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Bailey City Monsters Books in Order

9 Books
1997 – 2000 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Bailey City Monsters

The best place to start is right at the beginning with the first book, The Monsters Next Door. This introduces early chapter book readers to Ben (the younger brother of Eddie from The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids) and his friend Annie. Together, they investigate the mysterious new owners of the Hauntly Manor Inn, Boris and Hilda Hauntly, and their Frankenstein-like son, Kilmer.

Bailey City Monsters Books in Order

This charming 1990s spin-off series consists of nine main books. While most databases list them chronologically by release date, some library catalogs and retailers swap the sequence of books two, three, and four. To experience the story as the authors intended, follow the official order listed below:

  1. The Monsters Next Door (1997)
  2. Howling at the Hauntlys' (1998)
  3. Vampire Trouble (1998)
  4. Kilmer's Pet Monster (1999)
  5. Double Trouble Monsters (1999)
  6. Spooky Spells (1999)
  7. Vampire Baby (1999)
  8. Snow Monster Mystery (1999)
  9. Happy Boo Day (2000)

The Super Special Edition

In addition to the main series, Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones released one Super Special edition in 1998 titled The Hauntlys' Hairy Surprise. It fits best between Book 3 (Vampire Trouble) and Book 4 (Kilmer's Pet Monster). This special edition includes a standalone story about the kids throwing a birthday party for Hilda Hauntly, alongside interactive puzzles, games, and spooky "monster recipes" for kids to try.

Spin-Off Context and the Graphic Novel Confusion

Bailey City Monsters is a direct spin-off of the massive children's hit series The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids. Although the original parent series received modern graphic novel adaptations starting in 2021, the Bailey City Monsters spin-off remains strictly in its classic illustrated chapter book format, featuring illustrations by John Steven Gurney. It is an excellent transitional series for young readers in grades 2 to 4 who enjoy lighthearted paranormal mysteries without the genuine terror.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Bailey City Monsters series?

You should start with the first book, The Monsters Next Door, which sets up the Hauntly Manor Inn and introduces all the recurring characters.

QHow does Bailey City Monsters connect to The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids?

It is a direct spin-off set in the same universe. The protagonist, Ben, is the younger brother of Eddie, one of the main kids in the original series.

QAre there graphic novel versions of the Bailey City Monsters books?

No. While Scholastic has adapted the parent series (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids) into graphic novels, Bailey City Monsters is currently only available as classic chapter books.

QWhat is the Bailey City Monsters Super Special?

The super special is The Hauntlys' Hairy Surprise (1998). It features a central story about Hilda Hauntly's birthday party and includes extra activities like puzzles and recipes.

QWhy do some lists show a different order for books 2, 3, and 4?

There is a common discrepancy in retail databases that swaps the order of Howling at the Hauntlys', Vampire Trouble, and Kilmer's Pet Monster. The official list on author Debbie Dadey's site lists Howling as Book 2, Vampire Trouble as Book 3, and Kilmer's Pet Monster as Book 4.