If you’ve ever stepped into a second-grade classroom or scrolled through the kids' section of a library, you’ve seen them. Those bright covers featuring a wide-eyed Golden Retriever or a scruffy Terrier. Ellen Miles really tapped into something special with this series. It’s been running since 2006. Think about that. Most book series for kids fizzle out after ten or twenty installments, but Charles and Lizzie Peterson are still out here finding homes for strays two decades later. But here’s the thing that trips up parents and collectors: finding puppy place books in order is surprisingly chaotic because Scholastic doesn't always make it easy to track the timeline versus the publication dates.
Kids get attached. They want to see the Peterson family grow. They want to remember that Goldie was the first foster. If you jump from book 5 to book 45, the family dynamic feels... off.
The Core Timeline of the Peterson Family
The series basically starts with Goldie. It’s the foundational text. Charles wants a dog. Lizzie wants a dog. Their parents, the sensible but eventually soft-hearted Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, say no—until they don't. This first book establishes the "Puppy Place" setup: a foster home where dogs stay until the "perfect" owner is found.
Honestly, the first ten books are the most linear. You’ve got Snowball, Princess, Rascal, and Buddy. If you’re reading these with a child, start here. Don't skip. The reason is that the Beanery—the local hang-out—and the neighborhood geography get established in these early pages. You see the kids learn the ropes of grooming, leash training, and the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye when a dog finds a "forever home."
It’s about more than just cute animals. It’s about emotional labor. Kids actually learn empathy by watching Lizzie struggle to let go of a puppy she’s spent three weeks potty training.
Decoding the Puppy Place Books in Order
Scholastic has published over 65 books in the main series, not counting the "Kitty Corner" spin-offs or the special editions. If you look at the spine, there is usually a number. Use it. But be warned—special editions like Sugar, Gumdrop, and Lollipop often sit outside the main numbering but contain crucial "seasonal" lore.
Here is the general flow of the primary series to keep your shelf straight:
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- Goldie (The one that started the obsession)
- Snowball
- Princess
- Rascal
- Buddy
- Flash
- Scout
- Patches
- Shelby
- Lucky
After book ten, the series explodes. You get into titles like Bear, Chewy, and Zipper. By the time you hit the mid-20s, like Molly or Moose, Ellen Miles has perfected the formula. Each book introduces a specific breed and a specific problem. Shadow, for example, deals with a dog that is shy. Liberty is about a puppy born on the Fourth of July.
It's a lot. I get it.
Why the Order Changes Your Reading Experience
You might think, "It’s a book about a dog, does the order really matter?"
Yes.
The Petersons age. Slowly, sure, but they do age. Their skills as fosters improve. In the early books, they make mistakes. They forget to close a gate. They choose the wrong chew toy. By the time you reach the later books, Charles and Lizzie are seasoned pros. If you read them out of order, the character development feels like a seesaw. One minute they are experts, the next they are asking basic questions about kibble. It breaks the immersion for a kid who is really "all in" on the world of Littleton.
The Special Editions and Seasonal Anomalies
This is where it gets tricky. Miles writes these longer "Special Edition" books. Snowy, Star, and Lucky (not to be confused with the regular Lucky) often pop up. Usually, these are holiday-themed.
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If you want to be a completionist, you have to slot these in by their copyright date. Abridged versions also exist for younger readers, but if you're looking for the true puppy place books in order, stick to the original paperbacks. The "Kitty Corner" books, starting with Callie, are technically a separate series, but they take place in the same universe. Some characters cross over. If your kid is a completionist, you're going to end up buying those too. Sorry about your shelf space.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
A lot of people think Ellen Miles is a pen name for a corporate writing room. It’s not. While many long-running kids' series (like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys) used ghostwriters, Miles has been the consistent voice behind the Puppy Place. This is why the tone stays so steady. She has a specific way of describing the "new dog smell" and the chaos of a puppy-proofed kitchen that feels authentic.
Another myth? That the books are only for girls.
Actually, Charles Peterson is a huge draw for boys. He’s sensitive, responsible, and active. He isn't just a sidekick to his sister. He’s often the one doing the heavy lifting with the more difficult dogs.
Finding the Out-of-Print Gems
Because the series has been around since the mid-2000s, some of the middle-numbered books are getting harder to find in big-box stores. Target and Walmart usually only carry the latest five or six releases.
To get the full set of puppy place books in order, you’ll likely need to hit up:
- ThriftBooks or AbeBooks (Great for those 2010-era titles).
- Local library sales (Puppy Place books are library staples).
- Scholastic Book Clubs (The flyers still feature them occasionally).
Practical Steps for Collectors and Parents
If you are trying to organize a collection or start one from scratch, don't just wing it. The sheer volume of titles will overwhelm you.
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Start by printing a checklist. Scholastic's official site sometimes has them, but fan-maintained wikis are often more up-to-date with the very latest 2025 and 2026 releases. Check the copyright page. If the number on the spine is missing—which happens in some library re-bindings—the copyright year is your best North Star.
Focus on the first five. If the child likes them, move to the "themes." If they love big dogs, look for Bear or Moose. If they like tiny dogs, go for Rascal.
Keep a log. Honestly, with 60+ books, you will accidentally buy the same book twice. I’ve seen it happen a dozen times. "Did we already read Bubbles?" "No, that was Bingle."
The best way to enjoy these is to read them as they were written—watching a family grow one paw print at a time. It’s a slow build, but for a kid who dreams of having a dog, it’s the closest thing to reality they can get between two covers.
Final Checklist for Your Collection
- Verify the Spine Number: Most main-series entries are numbered 1-65+.
- Identify Special Editions: Look for the larger trim size; these are usually unnumbered.
- Chronological Reading: Follow the publication year to see the Peterson kids grow up naturally.
- Cross-Reference Kitty Corner: If a cat is mentioned, it likely has its own book in the sister series.
- Check the "Puppy Tips" at the back: Each book has real advice on dog care that evolves with modern veterinary standards.
Once you have the first ten books lined up, you'll see the pattern. The series isn't just about cute animals; it's a guide to responsibility. By following the sequence, you're not just reading stories—you're following a curriculum in compassion.
Get the first three books—Goldie, Snowball, and Princess—and place them in a dedicated spot on the shelf to establish the habit of sequential reading. If a specific breed is a favorite, use the publication list to find that exact title next, but try to stay within a ten-book radius of where you currently are in the timeline to keep the family's ages consistent.