Dori Hillestad Butler Books in Order

Where to Start with Dori Hillestad Butler

Dori Hillestad Butler is a master of early reader and transitional chapter book mysteries. Her books are highly accessible, humorous, and perfect for building reading confidence. Because her books span different reading levels, the best starting point depends on the reader's age and experience:

• For Early Readers (Ages 6-9): Start with the King & Kayla series. Written in simple language with high-frequency sight words, it is perfect for children transitioning from picture books to early chapter books.
• For Transitional Readers (Ages 7-10): Begin with The Haunted Library. This spooky but gentle series is highly engaging and features a slightly higher word count and more complex vocabulary than King & Kayla.
• For Confident Chapter Book Readers (Ages 8-11): Pick up The Buddy Files. Featuring a slightly more complex mystery structure, this series won the prestigious Edgar Award and is narrated by a charming dog detective.
• For Middle Grade Readers (Ages 10-14): Start with the standalone mystery/drama The Truth About Truman School or the duology starting with Do You Know the Monkey Man?.

King & Kayla Series (Early Reader Chapter Books)

Narrated from the perspective of King, a lovable Golden Retriever who solves everyday mysteries alongside his human partner Kayla, this series has earned multiple Theodor Seuss Geisel Honors. These books should be read in publication order, as they introduce recurring characters like the neighbor's dog and the local cats.

1. King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats (2017)
2. King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code (2017)
3. King & Kayla and the Case of the Mysterious Mouse (2017)
4. King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred (2017)
5. King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth (2018)
6. King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor (2020)
7. King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring (2021)
8. King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book (2022)
9. King & Kayla and the Case of the Cat Hunt (2023)
10. King & Kayla and the Case of the Downstairs Ghost (2024)

Note: A special companion picture book, King & Kayla and the Case of the Runaway Cat (2023), can be read alongside the main series, offering a fun addition for younger siblings.

The Haunted Library Series (Transitional Chapter Books)

This popular ten-book series follows Kaz, a young ghost boy, and Claire, a human girl who has the rare ability to see ghosts. Together, they form a detective agency inside the library to help other ghosts find their lost families. Reading them in order is highly recommended because there is an overarching story arc about Kaz searching for his missing ghost family.

1. The Haunted Library (2014)
2. The Ghost in the Attic (2014)
3. The Ghost Backstage (2014)
4. The Five O'Clock Ghost (2015)
5. The Secret Room (2015)
6. The Ghost at the Fire Station (2015)
7. The Ghost in the Tree House (2016)
8. The Hide-and-Seek Ghost (2016)
9. The Ghosts at the Movie Theater (2017)
10. The Underground Ghosts (2017)

The Buddy Files Series (Canine Mystery Chapter Books)

Narrated by Buddy, a dog who gets separated from his first family and is adopted by a new family, this series blends detective work with a dog's humorous view of the human world. The first book, The Case of the Lost Boy, won the 2011 Edgar Award. While each mystery is self-contained, they are best read in order to follow Buddy's journey of adapting to his new home.

1. The Case of the Lost Boy (2010)
2. The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutt (2010)
3. The Case of the Missing Family (2010)
4. The Case of the Fire Alarm (2010)
5. The Case of the Library Monster (2011)
6. The Case of the School Ghost (2012)
7. The Case of the Pound Pet (2018)

Dear Beast Series (Humorous Epistolary Chapter Books)

This series tells a hilarious story entirely through letters written back and forth between Simon, a snobby house cat, and Baxter, a newly arrived dog. It is a fantastic entry point for readers who enjoy humor and formatting play.

1. Dear Beast (2020)
2. Someone Is Missing! (2021)
3. The Pet Parade (2021)
4. Simon Sleeps Over (2022)

The Treasure Troop Series (Puzzle-Solving Adventure)

This four-book series features three friends—Marly, Isla, and Sai—who use math, logic, codes, and map-reading to solve riddles left behind by a mysterious benefactor. These books form a continuous story and should be read in order.

1. Mr. Summerling's Secret Code (2021)
2. The Hidden Room (2021)
3. Summer Island (2021)
4. The Final Treasure (2021)

Do You Know the Monkey Man? Duology (Middle Grade Fiction)

For older readers, this emotional duology deals with family secrets, twin relationships, and self-discovery. Read these strictly in order.

1. Do You Know the Monkey Man? (2005)
2. Yes, I Know the Monkey Man (2009)

What to Know Before You Start

Butler's books heavily feature animal perspectives and interactive elements like codes, puzzles, and letters. If you have a reluctant reader, starting with Dear Beast or The Treasure Troop is highly effective because the format breaks up standard block paragraphs. For classroom use, her standalone middle-grade novel The Truth about Truman School is a widely studied text addressing the consequences of cyberbullying, online gossip, and school culture.