Vet Volunteers Books in Order
Part ofLaurie Halse Anderson Books in OrderFind the Vet Volunteers books by Laurie Halse Anderson in order, with summaries, series background, and easy guidance on where to begin.
Last updated: July 15, 2026
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Vet Volunteers books in publication order
17 books
Fight for Life
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000
Maggie helps at her grandmother's animal clinic when sick, abused puppies begin arriving in alarming numbers. Certain they come from an illegal puppy mill, she and the new volunteers race to find the source and save the dogs.
Homeless
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000
Cat-loving Sunita joins the search for Dr. Mac's missing cat and discovers a large feral colony near the railroad tracks. With neighbors demanding removal, she must help find a humane solution before animal control arrives.
Manatee Blues
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000
Brenna visits a struggling Florida manatee rescue center with Dr. Mac and the other volunteers. Eager to help the endangered animals and save the center, she learns that good intentions can sometimes create new problems.
The Trickster
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000
David feels an instant connection to Trickster, a horse recovering from an accident at Quinn's Stables. But his reputation as a troublemaker stands in the way as he tries to prove he deserves a chance to ride and help.
Fear of Falling
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001
David wants to learn to jump on horseback, especially now that his father has returned and offered to teach him. But a frightened horse and David's own fear of failure make every leap feel like a test.
Say Good-Bye
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001
Zoe loves visiting cancer patients with Yum-Yum, a small shih tzu who cheers everyone up. When Yum-Yum is diagnosed with cancer, Zoe must face the painful possibility of losing one of her favorite clinic animals.
Storm Rescue
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001
As a hurricane approaches, Sunita worries about Lucy, a diabetic cat with a broken leg, and Lucy's elderly owner. During an urgent evacuation, Sunita must push past her fear and help get them both to safety.
Teacher's Pet
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001
Maggie's new science teacher is blind and learning to work with Scout, his German shepherd guide dog. When Maggie sees that both teacher and dog are struggling with the transition, she looks for a way to help.
Trapped
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001
Brenna discovers illegal animal traps in the nature preserve behind her home, where they are injuring wildlife. She wants to stop the person responsible, but must also keep her angry older brother from taking matters too far.
End of the Race
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002
When an injured greyhound arrives at Dr. Mac's clinic, Maggie learns about the harsh side of dog racing. She visits the track with Dr. Mac and new volunteer Taryn, hoping they can help protect more dogs.
Masks
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002
After her cat Mittens is injured while in her care, Sunita questions whether she belongs in veterinary work. An internship at a research lab raises even harder questions when she learns what happens to animals used in testing.
Time to Fly
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002
Zoe finds a flock of unexpected parrots in her backyard just as her mother arrives from California with life-changing news. Leaving Ambler and Dr. Mac's Place once seemed like a dream, but now Zoe is not so sure.
Acting Out
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2012
Back in Ambler after time in Los Angeles, Zoe misses her mother and struggles to settle in. When animals across town are poisoned by antifreeze, the Vet Volunteers launch an awareness campaign while Zoe worries about David's new cat.
New Beginnings
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2012
New twins Jules and Josh arrive in Ambler, but Jules quickly clashes with Maggie. When Jules's adopted class rabbit has complications after surgery, the girls must work together and show they are ready to become Vet Volunteers.
Helping Hands
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2013
Jules and Josh are thrilled when ponies are hired to attract customers to their parents' sidewalk sale. The Vet Volunteers soon realize the animals have been mistreated, and they work to get the ponies care and a safer future.
Treading Water
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2014
Brenna and the Vet Volunteers find abandoned ducklings that cannot survive without help. As they teach the babies to swim, they uncover a problem with discarded Easter pets and plan a way to educate their community.
Left Behind
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2016
On a visit to a horse farm, Sunita finds a lamb kept alone in a stall. Knowing sheep need companions, she and the Vet Volunteers try to teach the owner what the lamb needs and find it a proper flock.
Vet Volunteers books in chronological order

Fight for Life
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000Vet Volunteers, Book 1
Homeless
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000Vet Volunteers, Book 2
The Trickster
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000Vet Volunteers, Book 3
Manatee Blues
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2000Vet Volunteers, Book 4
Say Good-Bye
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001Vet Volunteers, Book 5
Storm Rescue
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001Vet Volunteers, Book 6
Teacher's Pet
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001Vet Volunteers, Book 7
Trapped
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001Vet Volunteers, Book 8
Fear of Falling
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2001Vet Volunteers, Book 9
Time to Fly
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002Vet Volunteers, Book 10
Masks
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002Vet Volunteers, Book 11
End of the Race
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2002Vet Volunteers, Book 12
New Beginnings
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2012Vet Volunteers, Book 13
Acting Out
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2012Vet Volunteers, Book 14
Helping Hands
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2013Vet Volunteers, Book 15
Treading Water
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2014Vet Volunteers, Book 16
Left Behind
by Laurie Halse Anderson
2016Vet Volunteers, Book 17
Series background & context
The Vet Volunteers series follows a group of young animal lovers who help out at Dr. Mac's Place, a busy veterinary clinic in Ambler. The kids do not just cuddle puppies and clean cages. They assist with daily clinic work, learn how animals are cared for, and find themselves pulled into rescues that need patience, courage, and a little detective work.
At the center of the early books are Maggie, Sunita, David, Brenna, and Zoe. Maggie lives with her grandmother, Dr. J. J. MacKenzie, known as Dr. Mac, and takes the clinic seriously. Sunita is especially drawn to cats. David loves horses, Brenna cares deeply about wildlife, and Zoe brings energy and emotion to the group. Each book usually gives one volunteer the lead role, so readers get to know the friends from different angles.
The animals bring the immediate stakes. The volunteers encounter sick puppies from an illegal puppy mill, feral cats threatened by angry neighbors, injured wildlife, horses, guide dogs, manatees, and pets whose owners need help too. The stories explain real animal-care issues without turning into lessons. A rescue can mean asking questions, speaking up, finding an adult who will listen, or figuring out what is actually best for an animal.
The clinic is a place where the friends grow up.
Their personal lives matter alongside the animal cases. They deal with school changes, family problems, fears, friendships, moving away, and the awkwardness of becoming more independent. David worries about disappointing his father. Zoe has complicated feelings about her mother. Sunita has to decide what kind of work with animals she can live with. The series treats these concerns with a warm, straightforward touch.
Later books introduce twins Jules and Josh, who arrive in town and must earn their place among the volunteers. Their stories keep the group moving forward while bringing new problems to Dr. Mac's Place. The original friends remain part of the action, making the series feel like a shared community rather than a set of disconnected animal adventures.
These are fast, accessible middle-grade stories with plenty of heart. Start with Fight for Life to meet Maggie, Dr. Mac, and the clinic, then continue in order if you want to follow the friendships and changing group dynamics. Readers who prefer cats, horses, wildlife, or emotional pet stories can also dip into the individual books, since each one has its own central animal case.
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