Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure was a series of children's books published by Bantam Books from 1979 to 1998. Each story was written from a second person point-of-view, with the reader assuming the role of the main character.

After an introduction to the story, the reader was given choices of how the story should progress. For instance:

If you decide to start back home, turn to page 4.

If you decide to wait, turn to page 5.

Depending on the reader's choice, the plot will unfold in different ways.

Often, a Choose Your Own Adventure book has multiple endings -- usually 15 or more -- which include:

At least one -- but often, two or three -- endings depicting the most desired resolution (e.g., the villian's plans are foiled and he/she subsequently either arrested or killed); and the main character (the role the reader assumes) is rewarded handsomely.

Endings that result in death, either of the main character, one or more "friends," or both, because of an incorrect choice the reader made. Usually, this plot twist involves the villian learning of the good guys' investigation, subsequent confrontation and deadly resolution.

Other endings that may either be satisfactory (but not the most desired ending) or unsatisfactory (but not always totally bad).

History

The Choose Your Own Adventure series was not the first "interactive" book series, but it was the most successful, inspiring other children's books using the same format. Bantam also published spin-off series, including a line of simpler stories for younger children, and a similar series, Time Machine, from 1984 to 1989.

A great number of the books were written by Edward Packard throughout the entire 19-year history of the series.

In the 2000s, several tongue-in-cheek novels for adults were published using a similar format, including Fireside Books' "Miss Adventure" series and Quirk Books' "Date with Destiny Adventure" series, whose covers parody the appearance of the Choose Your Own Adventure covers.

Choose Your Own Adventure books

1979

1. The Cave of Time by Edward Packard
2. Journey under the Sea by R.A. Montgomery
3. By Balloon to the Sahara (reissued as Danger in the Desert) by D. Terman

1980

4. Space and Beyond by R.A. Montgomery
5. The Mystery of Chimney Rock (reissued as The Curse of the Haunted Mansion) by Edward Packard
6. Your Code Name Is Jonah (reissued as Spy Trap) by Edward Packard
7. The Third Planet from Altair (reissued as Message from Space; also released as Exploration Infinity) by Edward Packard
8. Deadwood City by Edward Packard

1981

9. Who Killed Harlowe Thrombey? by Edward Packard
10. The Lost Jewels of Nabooti (reissued as The Lost Jewels) by R.A. Montgomery
11. Mystery of the Maya by R.A. Montgomery

1982

12. Inside UFO 54-40 by Edward Packard
13. The Abominable Snowman by R.A. Montgomery
14. The Forbidden Castle by Edward Packard
15. House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery
16. Survival at Sea by Edward Packard

1983

17. The Race Forever by R.A. Montgomery
18. Underground Kingdom by Edward Packard
19. Secret of the Pyramids by Richard Brightfield
20. Escape by R.A. Montgomery
21. Hyperspace by Edward Packard
22. Space Patrol by Julius Goodman
23. The Lost Tribe by Louise Munro Foley
24. Lost on the Amazon by R.A. Montgomery
25. Prisoner of the Ant People by R.A. Montgomery
26. The Phantom Submarine by Richard Brightfield
27. The Horror of High Ridge by Julius Goodman

1984

28. Mountain Survival by Edward Packard
29. Trouble on Planet Earth by R.A. Montgomery
30. The Curse of Batterslea Hall by Richard Brightfield
31. Vampire Express by Tony Koltz
32. Treasure Diver by Julius Goodman
33. The Dragons' Den by Richard Brightfield
34. The Mystery of the Highland Crest by Louise Munro Foley
35. Journey to Stonehenge by Fred Graver
36. The Secret Treasure of Tibet by Richard Brightfield
37. War with the Evil Power Master by R.A. Montgomery
38. Sabotage by Jay Leibold
39. Supercomputer by Edward Packard

1985

40. The Throne of Zeus by Deborah Lerme Goodman
41. Search for the Mountain Gorillas by Jim Wallace
42. The Mystery of Echo Lodge by Louise Munro Foley
43. Grand Canyon Odyssey by Jay Leibold
44. The Mystery of Ura Senke by Shannon Gilligan
45. You Are a Shark by Edward Packard
46. The Deadly Shadow by Richard Brightfield
47. Outlaws of Sherwood Forest by Ellen Kushner
48. Spy for George Washington by Jay Leibold
49. Danger at Anchor Mine by Louise Munro Foley
50. Return to the Cave of Time by Edward Packard
51. The Magic of the Unicorn by Deborah Lerme Goodman

1986

52. Ghost Hunter by Edward Packard
53. The Case of the Silk King by Shannon Gilligan
54. Forest of Fear by Louise Munro Foley
55. The Trumpet of Terror by Deborah Lerme Goodman
56. The Enchanted Kingdom by Ellen Kushner
57. The Antimatter Formula by Jay Leibold
58. Statue of Liberty Adventure by Ellen Kushner
59. Terror Island by Tony Koltz
60. Vanished! by Deborah Lerme Goodman
61. Beyond Escape! by R.A. Montgomery
62. Sugarcane Island by Edward Packard
63. Mystery of the Secret Room by Ellen Kushner

1987

64. Volcano! by Meryl Siegman
65. The Mardi Gras Mystery by Louise Munro Foley
66. Secret of the Ninja by Jay Leibold
67. Seaside Mystery by Ann Hodgman
68. Secret of the Sun God by Andrea Packard
69. Rock and Roll Mystery by Jim Wallace
70. Invaders of the Planet Earth by Richard Brightfield
71. Space Vampire by Edward Packard
72. The Brilliant Dr. Wogan by R.A. Montgomery
73. Beyond the Great Wall by Jay Leibold
74. Longhorn Territory by Marc Newman

1988

75. Planet of the Dragons by Richard Brightfield
76. The Mona Lisa is Missing! by Ramsey Montgomery
77. The First Olympics by Ben M. Baglio
78. Return to Atlantis by R.A. Montgomery
79. Mystery of the Sacred Stones by Louise Munro Foley
80. The Perfect Planet by Edward Packard
81. Terror in Australia by Shannon Gilligan
82. Hurricane! by Richard Brightfield
83. Track of the Bear by R.A. Montgomery
84. You Are a Monster by Edward Packard
85. Inca Gold by James Beckett
86. Knights of the Round Table by Ellen Kushner

1989

87. Exiled to Earth by R.A. Montgomery
88. Master of Kung Fu by Richard Brightfield
89. South Pole Sabotage by Seddon Johnson
90. Mutiny in Space by R.A. Montgomery
91. You Are a Superstar by Edward Packard
92. Return of the Ninja by Jay Leibold
93. Captive! by Bill Hampton
94. Blood on the Handle by R.A. Montgomery
95. You Are a Genius by Edward Packard
96. Stock Car Champion by R.A. Montgomery

1990

97. Through the Black Hole by Edward Packard
98. You Are a Millionaire by Jay Leibold
99. Revenge of the Russion Ghost by Jay Leibold
100. The Worst Day of Your Life by Edward Packard
101. Alien, Go Home! by Seddon Johnson
102. Master of Tae Kwon Do by Richard Brightfield
103. Grave Robbers by Ramsey Montgomery
104. The Cobra Connection by Louise Munro Foley
105. The Treasure of the Onyx Dragon by Alison Gilligan
106. Hijacked! by Richard Brightfield
107. Fight for Freedom by Richard Brightfield
108. Master of Karate by Richard Brightfield

1991

109. Chinese Dragons by R.A. Montgomery
110. Invaders from Within by Edward Packard
111. Smoke Jumper by R.A. Montgomery
112. Skateboard Champion by Edward Packard
113. The Lost Ninja by Jay Leibold
114. Daredevil Park by Spencer Compton
115. The Island of Time by R.A. Montgomery
116. Kidnapped! by Edward Packard
117. The Search for Aladdin's Lamp by Jay Leibold
118. Vampire Invaders by Edward Packard
119. The Terrorist Trap by Shannon Gilligan
120. Ghost Train by Louise Munro Foley

1992

121. Behind the Wheel by R.A. Montgomery
122. Magic Master by Edward Packard
123. Silver Wings by R.A. Montgomery
124. Superbike by Edward Packard
125. Outlaw Gulch by Ramsey Montgomery
126. Master of Martial Arts by Richard Brightfield
127. Showdown by Shannon Gilligan
128. Viking Raiders by Edward Packard
129. Earthquake! by Alison Gilligan
130. You Are Microscopic by Jay Leibold

1993

131. Surf Monkeys by Jay Leibold
132. The Luckiest Day of Your Life by Edward Packard
133. The Forgotten Planet by Doug Wilhelm
134. Secret of the Dolphins by Edward Packard
135. Playoff Champion by Felix von Moschzisker
136. Roller Star by Edward Packard
137. Scene of the Crime by Doug Wilhelm
138. Dinosaur Island by Edward Packard
139. Motocross Mania by R.A. Montgomery
140. Horror House by Edward Packard
141. The Secret of Mystery Hill by Doug Wilhelm
142. The Reality Machine by Edward Packard

1994

143. Project UFO by R.A. Montgomery
144. Comet Crash by Edward Packard
145. Everest Adventure! by R.A. Montgomery
146. Soccer Star by Edward Packard
147. The Antimatter Universe by Kate Mueller
148. Master of Judo by Richard Brightfield
149. Search the Amazon! by Doug Wilhelm
150. Who Are You? by Edward Packard
151. Gunfire at Gettysburg by Doug Wilhelm
152. War With the Mutant Spider Ants by Edward Packard
153. Last Run by R.A. Montgomery
154. Cyberspace Warrior by Edward Packard

1995

155. Ninja Cyborg by Jay Leibold
156. You Are an Alien by Edward Packard
157. U.N. Adventure by Ramsey Montgomery
158. Sky-Jam! by Edward Packard
159. Tattoo of Death by R.A. Montgomery
160. The Computer Takeover by Edward Packard
161. Possessed! by R.A. Montgomery
162. Typhoon! by Edward Packard
163. Shadow of the Swastika by Doug Wilhelm
164. Fright Night by Edward Packard
165. Snowboard Racer by Anson Montgomery
166. Master of Aikido by Richard Brightfield

1996

167. Moon Quest by Anson Montgomery
168. Hostage! by Edward Packard
169. Terror on the Titanic by Jim Wallace
170. Greed, Guns, and Gold by Edward Packard
171. Death in the Dorm by R.A. Montgomery
172. Mountain Biker by Edward Packard
173. The Gold Medal Secret by Doug Wilhelm
174. The Power Dome by Edward Packard
175. The Underground Railroad by Doug Wilhelm

1997

176. Master of Kendo by Richard Brightfield
177. Killer Virus by R.A. Montgomery
178. River of No Return by Vince Lahey
179. Ninja Avenger by Jay Leibold
180. Stampede! by Laban Carrick Hill

1998

181. Fire On Ice by Edward Packard
182. Fugitive by Edward Packard
183. CyberHacker by Anson Montgomery
184. Mayday! by Edward Packard

Choose Your Own Adventure books for younger readers

These books were written for a simpler reading level than the main series.

1. The Circus by Edward Packard, 1981
2. The Haunted House by R.A. Montgomery, 1981
3. Sunken Treasure by Edward Packard, 1982
4. Your Very Own Robot by R.A. Montgomery, 1982
5. Gorga, the Space Monster by Edward Packard, 1982
6. The Green Slime by Susan Saunders, 1982
7. Help! You're Shrinking by Edward Packard, 1983
8. Indian Trail by R.A. Montgomery, 1983
9. Dream Trips by Edward Packard, 1983
10. The Genie in the Bottle by Jim Razzi, 1983
11. The Bigfoot Mystery by Lynn Sonberg, 1983
12. The Creature from Miller's Pond by Susan Saunders, 1983
13. Jungle Safari by Edward Packard, 1983
14. The Search for Champ by Shannon Gilligan, 1983
15. The Three Wishes by Shannon Gilligan, 1984
16. Dragons! by Jim Razzi, 1984
17. Wild Horse Country by Lynn Sonberg, 1984
18. Summer Camp by Judy Gitenstein, 1984
19. The Tower of London by Susan Saunders, 1984
20. Trouble in Space by John Woodcock, 1984
21. Mona is Missing by Shannon Gilligan, 1984
22. The Evil Wizard by Andrea Packard, 1984
23. The Polar Bear Express by Edward Packard, 1984
24. The Mummy's Tomb by Stephanie Spinner, 1985
25. The Flying Carpet by Jim Razzi, 1985
26. The Magic Path by Julius Goodman, 1985
27. Ice Cave by Susan Saunders, 1985
28. Fire! by R.A. Montgomery, 1985
29. The Fairy Kidnap by Shannon Gilligan, 1985
30. Runaway Spaceship by Susan Saunders, 1985
31. Lost Dog! by R.A. Montgomery, 1985
32. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn by Susan Saunders, 1986
33. Haunted Harbor by Shannon Gilligan, 1986
34. Attack of the Monster Plants by Susan Saunders, 1986
35. The Miss Liberty Caper by Susan Saunders, 1986
36. The Owl Tree by R.A. Montgomery, 1986
37. Haunted Halloween Party by Susan Saunders, 1986
38. Sand Castle by R.A. Montgomery, 1986
39. Caravan by R.A. Montgomery, 1987
40. The Great Easter Bunny Adventure by Edward Packard, 1987
41. The Movie Mystery by Susan Saunders, 1987
42. Light on Burro Mountain by Susan Saunders, 1987
43. Home in Time for Christmas by R.A. Montgomery, 1987
44. You See the Future by Deborah Lerme Goodman, 1988
45. The Great Zopper Toothpaste Treasure by Jennifer Bach and Amy Brost, 1988
46. A Day with the Dinosaurs by Edward Packard, 1988
47. Spooky Thanksgiving by R.A. Montgomery, 1988
48. You Are Invisible by Susan Saunders, 1989
49. Race of the Year by R.A. Montgomery, 1989
50. Stranded! by Sara Compton, 1989
51. You Can Make a Difference: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Anne Bailey, 1990
52. The Enchanted Attic by Adele Read, 1992

Choose Your Own Super Adventure books

These books were longer and more complex than the books in the regular series.

1. Journey to the Year 3000 by Edward Packard, 1987
2. Danger Zones by R.A. Montgomery, 1987

Choose Your Own Nintendo Adventure books

These books were based off of video games by Nintendo.

Double Trouble
Leaping Lizards
Monster Mix-Up
Koopa Capers
Pipe Down!
Doors to Doom
Dinosaur Dillema
Flown the Koopa
The Crystal Trap
The Shadow Prince
Unjust Desserts
Brain Drain

Note: All books except 9 & 10 were based on the Mario series. Books 9 & 10 were based on the Zelda series.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Passport books

This series is more educational and casts the reader as a member of a globe-trotting news team.

1. Tour de France by James Becket, 1992
2. Forgotten Days by Kate Mueller, 1992
3. On Tour by Ken McMurtry, 1992
4. Path of the Crusaders by Ken McMurtry, 1992
5. Mystery of the Trans-Siberian Express by Ken McMurtry, 1992
6. Manhunt by Ken McMurtry, 1992

Choose Your Own Nightmare books

The success of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps horror novels inspired a flood of children's horror novels, including this Choose Your Own Adventure spin-off series.

1. Night of the Werewolf by Edward Packard, 1995
2. Beware the Snake's Venom by Ken McMurtry, 1995
3. Island of Doom by Richard Brightfield, 1995
4. Castle of Darkness by R.A. Montgomery, 1995
5. The Halloween Party by E.A.M. Jakab, 1995
6. Risk Your Life Arcade by Ken McMurtry, 1995
7. Biting for Blood by Edward Packard, 1996
8. Bugged Out! by Laban Carrick Hill, 1996
9. The Mummy Who Wouldn't Die by E.A.M. Jakab, 1996
10. It Happened at Camp Pine Tree by R.A. Montgomery and Janet Hubbard-Brown, 1996
11. Watch Out for Room 13 by Laban Carrick Hill, 1996
12. Something's in the Woods by Richard Brightfield, 1996
13. The Haunted Baby by Edward Packard, 1997
14. The Evil Pen Pal by Laban Carrick Hill, 1997
15. How I Became a Freak by Richard Brightfield, 1997
16. Welcome to Horror Hospital by Laban Carrick Hill, 1997
17. Attack of the Living Mask by Robert Hirshfield, 1997
18. The Toy Shop of Terror by Laban Carrick Hill, 1997

Choose Your Own Star Wars Adventure books

These books were based on the original Star Wars trilogy.

1. A New Hope by Christopher Golden, 1998
2. The Empire Strikes Back by Christopher Golden, 1998
3. Return of the Jedi by Christopher Golden, 1998

External links

Choose Your Own Adventure book list and reviews (gamebooks.org)