Dori Hillestad Butler

Author Information
Dori Hillestad Butler's Latest Book

Newest Release

  • Bibliography:
    44 Books (6 Series)
  • First Book:
    December 1996
  • Latest Book:
    June 2025
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Full Series List in Order

The Buddy Files

1 - The Case of the Lost Boy (Mar-2010)
2 - The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts (Mar-2010)
3 - The Case of the Missing Family (Mar-2010)
4 - The Case of the Fire Alarm (Mar-2011)
5 - The Case of the Library Monster (Mar-2011)
6 - The Case of the School Ghost (Mar-2012)

Dear Beast

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

Haunted Library

1 - The Haunted Library (Aug-2014)
2 - The Ghost in the Attic (Aug-2014)
3 - The Ghost Backstage (Nov-2014)
4 - The Five O'Clock Ghost (Mar-2015)
5 - The Secret Room (Aug-2015)
6 - The Ghost at the Fire Station (Nov-2015)
7 - The Ghost in the Treehouse (Apr-2016)
8 - The Hide-And-Seek Ghost (Aug-2016)
9 - The Ghosts at the Movie Theater (Feb-2017)

Haunted Library: Super Special

1 - The Underground Ghosts (Aug-2017)

King & Kayla

1 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats (Mar-2017)
2 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code (Mar-2017)
3 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Mysterious Mouse (Sep-2017)
4 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth (Mar-2018)
5 - King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred (Mar-2019)
6 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor (Mar-2020)
7 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring (Feb-2021)
8 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book (Feb-2022)
9 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Cat Hunt (Feb-2023)
10 - King & Kayla and the Case of the Downstairs Ghost (Jan-2024)

The Treasure Troop

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

Book List in Order: 44 titles

  • The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off

  • My Mom's Having a Baby!

    Elizabeth's mom is having a baby, and the whole family is involved. Elizabeth learns all about the baby's development, and she traces his growth, month by month. She learns how the baby got inside Mom, too....

  • Do You Know the Monkey Man?

    For thirteen-year-old Samantha, life consists of too many unanswered questions about her past.
    Why has her father not tried to contact her all these years? How could he have allowed her twin sister to drown in Clearwater Quarry when they were only...

  • Sliding Into Home

    An adolescent girl learns that realizing a dream requires a good deal more than stubborn, steely resolve as she risks everything to follow her heart. IT'S NOT FAIR! Thirteen-year-old Joelle Cunningham is passionate about baseball. She loves to watch ...

  • Alexandra Hopewell, Labor Coach

  • Tank Talbott's Guide to Girls

    Tank's three stepsisters will be sharing his cramped house for the summer vacation. Plus he needs a math tutor and must fill a notebook with his writing--just to pass fifth grade! But he comes up with a guide to girls that is sure to be a hit....

  • The Truth About Truman School

    2012-2013 Iowa Teen Award Master ListThey just wanted to tell the truth.When Zebby and Amr create the website thetruthabouttruman.com, they want it to be honest. They want it to be about the real Truman Middle School, to say things that the school ne...

  • Yes, I Know the Monkey Man

    What happens when everything you thought was true about your life turns out to be a lie?
    Thirteen-year-old T. J. always believed that her twin sister and her mother were dead―because that’s what her father had told her. But Mom and Sam are ver...

  • The Case of the Lost Boy

    The Buddy Files - 1

    "My name is King. I am a dog. I am also a detective." King has a very big mystery to solve. His family is missing, and he's been put in the P-O-U-N-D. Why doesn't his beloved human (Kayla) come to get him? When King is adopted by Connor and his mo...



  • The Case of the Missing Family

    The Buddy Files - 3

    Buddy has settled with his adopted family, but he's never given up on finding his beloved human, Kayla, and his first family. One night he sees men taking things out of Kayla's old house and loading them into a van. What's up? Though his friend Mouse...

  • The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts

    The Buddy Files - 2

    Buddy was adopted from the P-O-U-N-D and he likes his new family, but he's still searching for Kayla-his first family. What has happened to them? He hopes to solve that mystery soon, but right now he's got another urgent case-two dogs, Muffin and Jaz...

  • The Case of the Fire Alarm

    The Buddy Files - 4

    Buddy is starting his work as a therapy dog at Four Lakes Elementary School, where Connor attends and Mom is the principal. On his very first day, he accidentally knocks down a little kid on the playground......

  • The Case of the Library Monster

    The Buddy Files - 5

    Buddy is in the school library and kids are taking turns reading with him. While Buddy listens to a ghost story, he hears rustling in the shelves behind him. He turns to look, but doesn't see anyone back there. He hears a book fall. Something smells ...

  • The Case of the School Ghost

    The Buddy Files - 6

    It's the night of the Fourth Grade sleepover, and Buddy is invited. When he gets to school, Mr. Poe, the custodian, tells everyone about the ghost that haunts the school grounds. There are no such things as ghosts, right? But secret notes, unusual ba...

  • The Ghost in the Attic

    Haunted Library - 2

    After successfully solving the mystery of the ghost in the library, Kaz and Claire land the first case for their detective agency -- a haunted attic in a neighbor’s home! With a little help from Grannie, Kaz and Claire discover that what appeared t...

  • The Haunted Library

    Haunted Library - 1

    When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other human...

  • The Ghost Backstage

    Haunted Library - 3

    Kaz and Claire’s new detective agency is a success! Their latest case, though, is proving to be the hardest yet. When Claire’s classmate says he saw a ghost backstage while rehearsing the school play, Kaz goes to school with Claire to investigate...

  • The Five O'Clock Ghost

    Haunted Library - 4

    Kaz and Claire are called in for another ghostly mystery, and this ghost is always right on time. When Claire's friend tells the young detectives about his five o'clock ghost, Kaz wonders if it could be his own missing brother, Little John. Kaz and ...

  • The Secret Room

    Haunted Library - 5

    Now that Kaz can finally pass through walls without feeling all “skizzy,” he can go explore Beckett’s secret room at the back of the library. What he finds there is a mystery he never expected! ...



  • The Ghost at the Fire Station

    Haunted Library - 6

    With a lot of searching and a lot of luck, Kaz has found his dog Cosmo, his little brother Little John, his grandmom, and his grandpops. But what about his parents? Or his big brother Finn? Will he ever see them again? Kaz wants to keep looking for h...

  • The Ghost in the Treehouse

    Haunted Library - 7

    Here is Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler's seventh title in her not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library. Perfect for reluctant readers in the mood for a great mystery! A group of girls in Claire’s town have noticed...

  • The Hide-And-Seek Ghost

    Haunted Library - 8

    Here is the eighth title in Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler's not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library. Kaz are Claire are called on for another case! A family thinks their house is haunted, making it difficult for t...

  • The Ghosts at the Movie Theater

    Haunted Library - 9

    Kaz are Claire are on the case again -- this time, they're looking for Kaz's long-lost uncle! Their search takes them to a bakery and a movie theater. Along the way, they meet another kid ghost detective. Will Kaz and Claire be able to figure out wha...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats

    King & Kayla - 1

    A lovable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery. Kayla made peanut butter treats for Jillian's new puppy Thor. But now the treats are missing. What does Kayla know? There are three treats missing. King was in the kitchen. King's breath doesn't sme...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code

    King & Kayla - 2

    A loveable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery. Kayla and Mason both got mysterious letters, written in code. What does Kayla know? The same person left both letters. It's someone she and Mason both know. The two letters are the same, except for...

  • The Underground Ghosts

    Haunted Library: Super Special - 1

    Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler gives us the tenth -- and final! -- title in her not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library, in the form of a super special! It's almost Halloween, and Kaz and Claire are off to Seattle ...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Mysterious Mouse

    King & Kayla - 3

    A lovable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery. King and Kayla are playing fetch with their friends, Jillian and Thor. Jillian throws King’s favorite ball too hard, and now it’s gone missing! King and Kayla must put together the clues to f...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth

    King & Kayla - 4

    A lovable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery. Kayla lost a tooth, but now it’s missing! What does Kayla know? ―Her tooth is not inside the tooth fairy pillow. It’s not inside her backpack. It’s not inside the car. What does...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred

    King & Kayla - 5

    A lovable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery. King, Kayla, and Grandma find a dog who has lost his human family. What does Kayla know? ― This dog doesn’t have a collar or any tags. He can sit, lie down, and shake hands. No one around...



  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor

    King & Kayla - 6

    King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series.Thor is in big trouble. Mr. Gary says he knocked over his trash cans, dug up his garden, and ate some of his vegetables. Kin...

  • Dear Beast

    Dear Beast - 1

    A jealous cat really, really, REALLY wants to drive away his young owner's new dog in this playful illustrated chapter book from a two-time Geisel Honor winner. Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He's a good cat. Clea...

  • The Hidden Room

    The Treasure Troop - 2

    From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor's hidden treasure.In the second book of this code-busting s...

  • Mr. Summerling's Secret Code

    The Treasure Troop - 1

    From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Isla, and Sai, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor's hidden treasure.Marly always knew Mr. Summerling as her f...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring

    King & Kayla - 7

    King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series.King, Kayla, Mason, and Asia are playing in the snow. Later, Asia discovers her gold ring is missing. What happened to it? A...

  • The Pet Parade

    Dear Beast - 2

    A snobby cat and a good-natured dog fight over the chance to dress up with their owner in this playful illustrated chapter book series told in letters. It's time for the annual city pet parade! Only one pet can win first place . . . Simon the ...

  • Summer Island

    The Treasure Troop - 3

    From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor's hidden treasure.In the third book of this code-busting se...

  • Someone Is Missing!

    Dear Beast - 3

    Who says cats and dogs don't get along? A snobby cat and a good-natured dog team up -- sort of -- to solve the mystery of a missing classroom pet in this playful illustrated chapter book told in letters.Simon the cat and Baxter the dog have finally l...

  • The Final Treasure

    The Treasure Troop - 4

    From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes The Treasure Troop, a chapter book mystery series! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor's hidden treasure.In the fourth and final book of this code-bus...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book

    King & Kayla - 8

    King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series.Kayla needs to return her library books, but she can't find one of them. King knows that if they don't return all the books,...



  • Simon Sleeps Over

    Dear Beast - 4

    A stuck-up cat and a good-natured dog are pen pals from a distance, until a disastrous sleepover brings them together in this playful illustrated chapter book told in letters.Andy has two pets and two houses: a cat, Simon, at his mom’s hous...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Cat Hunt

    King & Kayla - 9

    In this latest book in the Geisel Honor award-winning series, our intrepid human-and-dog detective duo have another mystery to solve: how did Raj’s cat escape from a locked house?King and Kayla have a new case and a new friend. King LOVES new frien...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Downstairs Ghost

    King & Kayla - 10

    Jillian thinks there’s a ghost in her basement. King and Kayla know that ghosts aren’t real, but what is making that dark shape and that scary noise?King and Kayla are going to a sleepover at Thor and Jillian’s house. King LOVES sleepovers. The...

  • Rabbit Rabbit

    To rebuild their broken family, a pair of audacious tween cousins must confront the long-buried secrets that destroyed it in this upper middle grade novel told from dual perspectives.Twelve-year-olds Alice and Bee are practically strangers when their...

  • King & Kayla and the Case of the Escape Artist

    King takes center stage when there’s a mystery to solve at his new doggy day care.When King visits the new doggy day care, he meets lots of new friends, including Houdini, who claims he can escape any situation. King vows to keep an eye on Houd...

Award-Winning Books by Dori Hillestad Butler

The Case of the Lost Boy
2011 Edgar Allan Poe Award -- Juvenile
Trading Places with Tank Talbott
2006 Black-Eyed Susan Award -- Grades 4-6


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Dori Hillestad Butler has published 44 books.

The next book by Dori Hillestad Butler, King & Kayla and the Case of the Escape Artist, will be published in June 2025.

The first book by Dori Hillestad Butler, The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off, was published in December 1996.

Yes. Dori Hillestad Butler has 6 series.
Author Series
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