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author Reading Order

Ada Hopper Books in Order

10 Books
2016 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

How to Read The DATA Set Series

If you want to dive into the wacky, science-fueled adventures of Ada Hopper’s chapter books, the best approach is to follow the official publication order. The series maintains a linear continuity where the main characters grow closer, reference past adventures, and deal with the evolving, unpredictable inventions of their neighbor, Dr. Bunsen.

The DATA Set Reading Order

Here is the official order to read the Danger! Action! Trouble! Adventure! (DATA) Set series, along with a breakdown of each book’s scientific escapades:

  1. March of the Mini Beasts (2016) – The series kicks off when Gabe, Laura, Cesar, and Olive investigate their eccentric neighbor's backyard and discover mutated, tiny toy animals that have come to life.
  2. Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs (2016) – The kids use Dr. Bunsen’s newly repaired time machine to travel back to the prehistoric era, only to bring a baby Tyrannosaurus rex back to the present.
  3. The Sky Is Falling (2016) – A weather machine experiment goes awry, causing localized environmental chaos and forcing the kids to find a way to stop the artificial storm.
  4. Robots Rule the School (2016) – The group tries to win the school science fair by building a robot helper with Dr. Bunsen's tools, but the invention quickly goes out of control.
  5. A Case of the Clones (2016) – Seeking to get all their chores and homework done, the kids use a cloning machine, resulting in chaotic duplicates running amok.
  6. Invasion of the Insects (2017) – A bug-shrinking experiment goes wild, creating giant insects that threaten the local park and require creative problem-solving to neutralize.
  7. Out of Remote Control (2017) – The kids discover a universal remote control that actually controls reality, leading to hilarious and dangerous situations.
  8. Down the Brain Drain (2020) – To help Dr. Bunsen retrieve a crucial lost scientific memory, the kids shrink down and travel inside his brain.
  9. S.O.S. from Outer Space (2022) – The DATA Set receives a mysterious alien signal and builds a homemade rocket ship to investigate.
  10. The Revenge of Dr. von Naysayer (2022) – The kids face off against Dr. Bunsen's scientific rival, who attempts to ruin their school's science fair.
  11. A Little Snow Must Fall (2023) – The final installment takes the team on a chilly Antarctic rescue mission after one of Dr. Bunsen's portals accidentally transports Gabe.

Publication Order Discrepancies and Box Sets

Because the first five books of the series were all released in 2016, some library catalogs and online databases list Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs as the first book. However, the publisher, Simon & Schuster, officially lists March of the Mini Beasts as Book 1. We highly recommend starting with March of the Mini Beasts as it establishes the characters, their dynamics, and their relationship with Dr. Bunsen.

For readers who want to dive in all at once, Simon & Schuster offers a 10-book boxed set. The eleventh book, A Little Snow Must Fall, is not included in this box set and must be purchased separately.

What to Know Before You Start

The DATA Set is specifically designed for emerging readers transitioning into early chapter books, typically targeting children ages 5 to 9. The books are heavily illustrated (featuring art by Glass House Graphics and Rafael Kirschner), which keeps readers engaged and helps contextualize the text. The story centers on four distinct friends: Gabe (the natural leader), Laura (the math and science wizard), Cesar (the creative artist), and Olive (the animal lover), along with their neighbor, the eccentric inventor Dr. Bunsen.

The tone is fast-paced, humorous, and educational, making STEM concepts feel like a grand adventure rather than schoolwork. While each book can be read as a standalone adventure, reading them in order provides a much more satisfying experience as the friendships and inventions develop across the narrative arc.

About the Author

Ada Hopper is the pen name of children's author Meredith Rusu. Rusu has authored more than one hundred books for major children's franchises, including Disney, LEGO, and Star Wars. The DATA Set was her first original series under the Hopper pseudonym, inspired by her childhood curiosity for tinkering and her two sons.

Frequently Asked

QWho is Ada Hopper?

Ada Hopper is the pen name of children's author Meredith Rusu, who has written over a hundred books for major franchises like Disney, LEGO, and Star Wars.

QWhat does "DATA" stand for in the series?

The acronym stands for Danger! Action! Trouble! Adventure!, representing the wild scientific mishaps the characters encounter.

QWhat is the best starting book for the series?

You should start with March of the Mini Beasts, which introduces the kids and Dr. Bunsen, establishing the main cast and setup.

QWhy do some library catalogs list Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs as Book 1?

Both the first and second books were released on the same day (April 5, 2016), causing database mix-ups. The publisher officially lists March of the Mini Beasts as Book 1.

QHow many books are in the DATA Set series?

The series consists of 11 books, starting in 2016 and ending with the final release of A Little Snow Must Fall in late 2023.

QAre there boxed sets available for the series?

Yes, Simon & Schuster has released a 10-book boxed set containing books 1 through 10 of the series.