Choose Your Own Adventure

From Encyc

Choose Your Own Adventure is a series of children's gamebooks where each story is written from a second-person point of view, with the reader assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character's actions in response to the plot and its outcome. Choose Your Own Adventure was one of the most popular children's series during the 1980s and 1990s, selling over 250 million copies between 1979 and 1998.[1][2]

The series was published by Bantam Books from 1979 to 1998 and currently select titles are being printed by ChooseCo of Warren, Vermont.

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 and eventually lead to many different possible endings.

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

  • At least one -- but often a few -- endings depicting the most desired resolution (e.g., the villain's plans are foiled and he/she subsequently either arrested or killed); and the main character, friend or other "good guy" character 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 villain 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[edit]

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 R.A. Montgomery and Edward Packard throughout the 19-year history of the series with Bantam Books.

In the 2000s, R.A. Montgomery, through his company ChooseCo republished many of the Choose Your Own Adventure titles.

ChooseCo is republishing many of the books in the series as well as adding new titles. Sundance Publications is releasing eighteen titles in 2005 and another eighteen titles in 2006 along with teacher guides and student workbooks.

Choose Your Own Adventure books[edit]

1979[edit]

1980[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

1984[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

1990[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

1998[edit]

  • 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[edit]

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[edit]

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 Adventure: Passport books[edit]

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[edit]

The success of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps horror novels inspired a flood of children's horror books, 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[edit]

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

Choose Your Own Adventure books The Classics Released 2005[edit]

These are the original books, updated with revised text and new artwork.

  1. The Abominable Snowman by R.A. Montgomery
  2. Journey Under The Sea R.A. Montgomery
  3. Space And Beyond R.A. Montgomery
  4. The Lost Jewels of Nafouti R.A. Montgomery
  5. Mystery of the Maya R.A. Montgomery
  6. House Of Danger R.A. Montgomery
  7. The Race Forever R.A. Montgomery
  8. Escape R.A. Montgomery
  9. Lost On The Amazon R.A. Montgomery
  10. Prisoner Of The Ant People R.A. Montgomery
  11. Trouble On Planet Earth R.A. Montgomery
  12. War With The Evil Power Master R.A. Montgomery
  13. The Mystery Of Ura Senke Shannon Gilligan
  14. The Case Of The Silk King Shannon Gilligan
  15. Beyond Escape! R.A. Montgomery
  16. Secret Of The Ninja Jay Leibold
  17. The Brilliant Dr. Wogan R.A. Montgomery
  18. Return To Atlantis R.A. Montgomery

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ | last = Lodge | first = Sally | authorlink = | title = Chooseco Embarks on Its Own Adventure | journal = Publishers Weekly | volume = | issue = 18 Jan 2007 | pages = | date = 2007 | url = http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6408126.html | accessdate = 2008-07-10
  2. ↑ | last = Fleishhacker | first = Joy | authorlink = | title = Fresh Approaches: Noteworthy New Editions and Reissues | journal = School Library Journal | volume = | issue = 28 April 2008 | pages = | date = 2008 | url = http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6555533.html | accessdate = 2008-07-10

External links[edit]

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