Choose Your Own Adventure

Everybody needs to collect something. Me? I chose this series of books. As with any collector’s collection, my goal is to have them all! Here’s a little background on the series, which I was surprised to find out ran from 1979 all the way to 1998.

The Idea was born in 1969 when Edward Packard came up with the prototype “Sugarcane Island”. He had the idea while he was making up bedtime stories for his children. He was rejected by several major publishers but persisted and eventually teamed up with R. A. Montgomery, each of whom ended up writing 60 books for the series. The series is noted for its appeal to reluctant readers - which is where I come in.

As a child I wasn’t the most enthusiastic reader but I loved getting these from the Brigham City Library in the summers. My favorite two were “Sabotage” and “Underground Kingdom”.

Because these books encouraged the young Benji to read, I decided a few years back that it would be a good idea to have these in my future home for my future children to read. Since then I’ve picked them up here and there at second-hand stores, yard sales, flea markets, used bookstores, etc. I decided to keep track on this blog of the ones I have for reference. If any of the faithful Benjiblog readers happen to stumble upon a CYOA book I would greatly appreciate the help and would gladly reimburse you the cost (up to $4 per book – they’re usually around $1 or $2).

Without further ado, the list (which I will update as needed):

1. The Cave of Time
1. (new series) The Abominable Snowman
2. Journey Under the Sea
3. By Balloon to the Sahara
4. Space and Beyond
5. The Mystery of Chimney Rock
5. The Curse of the Haunted Mansion (new title)
7. Third Planet from Altair
8. Deadwood City
9. Who Killed Harlow Thrombey?
12. Inside UFO 54-40
15. House of Danger
18. Underground Kingdom
20. Escape
21. Hyperspace
22. Space Patrol
33. The Dragon's Den
37. War With the Evil Power Master
39. Supercomputer
43. Grand Canyon Odyssey
47. Outlaws of Sherwood Forest
49. Danger at Anchor Mine
51. The Magic of the Unicorn
55. The Trumpet of Terror
58. Statue of Liberty Adventure
66. Secret of the Ninja
67. Seaside Mystery
71. Space Vampire
74. Longhorn Territory
75. Planet of the Dragons
76. The Mona Lisa is Missing
78. Return to Atlantis
80. The Perfect Planet
82. Hurricaine!
83. Track of the Bear
87. Exiled to Earth
88. Master of Kung Fu
90. Mutiny in Space
92. Return of the Ninja
99. Revenge of the Russian Ghost
100. The Worst Day of Your Life
101. Alien, Go Home!
102. Master of Tae Kwon Do
103. Grave Robbers
104. The Cobra Connection
107. Fight for Freedom
108. Master of Karate
113. The Lost Ninja
117. The Search for Aladdin’s Lamp
118. Vampire Invaders
149. Search the Amazon
151. Gunfire at Gettysburg
152. War with the Mutant Spider Ants

Kids series (red books)

36. The Owl Tree
37. Haunted Halloween Party

Also for your reference, a complete list of the series.