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Frances O’Roark Dowell

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 27 Books

5
Series
27
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books
Start with: Erupts! (2006)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Sam the Man Books
Start with: Sam the Man & the Chicken Plan (2016)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books
Start with: The Secret Language of Girls (2004)

About Frances O’Roark Dowell

Frances O’Roark Dowell is a young adult romance, general fiction, and children’s fiction novelist from North Carolina. The author was born in 1964 in Berlin Germany and lived in Europe for many years, given that her father was a lawyer with the United States Army while she was growing up. Since Frances’s grandfather was an officer in the army for years, she finds some of the inspiration for her novels from military themes. Given that she made use of military themes in her novel, she was a guest speaker at the Vietnam War exhibit in 2017, where she spoke about her life growing up in a military family. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series, Frances O’Roark Dowell has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books
4 books 2006–2014
1

Erupts!

Erupts! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2006
2

Gets Slimed!

Gets Slimed! continues the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
3

Blasts Off!

Blasts Off! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2008
4

Gets Cooking!

Gets Cooking! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2014
Publication Order of Sam the Man Books
5 books 2016–2019
1

Sam the Man & the Chicken Plan

Sam the Man & the Chicken Plan is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sam the Man Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2016
2

Sam the Manthe Rutabaga Plan

Sam the Manthe Rutabaga Plan continues the Publication Order of Sam the Man Books story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
3

Sam the Man & the Dragon Van Plan

Epic adventure awaits in Sam the Man & the Dragon Van Plan, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Sam the Man Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Frances O’Roark Dowell has built.

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2018
4

Sam the Manthe Secret Detective Club Plan

The investigation intensifies in Sam the Manthe Secret Detective Club Plan, as this installment of the Publication Order of Sam the Man Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Frances O’Roark Dowell's creation.

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2018
5

Sam the Man & the Cell Phone Plan

Sam the Man & the Cell Phone Plan is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sam the Man Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2019
Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books
3 books 2004–2013
1

The Secret Language of Girls

The Secret Language of Girls continues the Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2004
2

The Kind of Friends We Used to Be

The Kind of Friends We Used to Be is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2009
3

The Sound of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away

The Sound of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2013
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
13 books 2000–2022
1

Dovey Coe

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Dovey Coe, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2000
2

Where I'd Like to Be

Where I'd Like to Be is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2003
3

Chicken Boy

Chicken Boy continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2005
4

Shooting the Moon

Shooting the Moon continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2008
5

Falling In

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Falling In, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2010
6

Ten Miles Past Normal

Ten Miles Past Normal is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2011
7

The Second Life of Abigail Walker

The Second Life of Abigail Walker continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2012
8

Anybody Shining

Anybody Shining is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2014
9

Trouble the Water

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Trouble the Water, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2016
10

Birds in the Air

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Birds in the Air, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2016
11

The Class

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Class, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2019
12

How to Build a Story... Or, the Big What If

How to Build a Story... Or, the Big What If is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2020
13

Hazard

Hazard continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Frances O’Roark Dowell's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2022
Publication Order of Collections
2 books 2017–2025
1

Margaret Goes Modern

Margaret Goes Modern is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Frances O’Roark Dowell have come to expect.

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2017
2

A Friendship Album Christmas

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with A Friendship Album Christmas, another outstanding contribution from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

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2025

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Frances O’Roark Dowell?

Frances O’Roark Dowell is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 27 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books, Publication Order of Sam the Man Books, Publication Order of The Secret Language of Girls Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Frances O’Roark Dowell series to start with?

For readers new to Frances O’Roark Dowell's work, the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 4 books. Begin with Erupts! to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Frances O’Roark Dowell written?

Frances O’Roark Dowell has written over 27 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Frances O’Roark Dowell books in order?

Yes, reading Frances O’Roark Dowell's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Frances O’Roark Dowell write in?

Frances O’Roark Dowell writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 27 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Frances O’Roark Dowell's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Frances O’Roark Dowell's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Frances O’Roark Dowell's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Frances O’Roark Dowell's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Phineas L. MacGuire Books series. The first book, Erupts!, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.