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Vet Volunteers Books in Order

Part ofLaurie Halse Anderson Books in Order

Find 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

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17 books

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

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.

15

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.

16

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.

17

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

  1. Book cover for "Fight for Life"

    Fight for Life

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2000Vet Volunteers, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Homeless"

    Homeless

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2000Vet Volunteers, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "The Trickster"

    The Trickster

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2000Vet Volunteers, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "Manatee Blues"

    Manatee Blues

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2000Vet Volunteers, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "Say Good-Bye"

    Say Good-Bye

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2001Vet Volunteers, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "Storm Rescue"

    Storm Rescue

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2001Vet Volunteers, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "Teacher's Pet"

    Teacher's Pet

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2001Vet Volunteers, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Trapped"

    Trapped

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2001Vet Volunteers, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Fear of Falling"

    Fear of Falling

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2001Vet Volunteers, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "Time to Fly"

    Time to Fly

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2002Vet Volunteers, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "Masks"

    Masks

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2002Vet Volunteers, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "End of the Race"

    End of the Race

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2002Vet Volunteers, Book 12
  13. Book cover for "New Beginnings"

    New Beginnings

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2012Vet Volunteers, Book 13
  14. Book cover for "Acting Out"

    Acting Out

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2012Vet Volunteers, Book 14
  15. Book cover for "Helping Hands"

    Helping Hands

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2013Vet Volunteers, Book 15
  16. Book cover for "Treading Water"

    Treading Water

    by Laurie Halse Anderson

    2014Vet Volunteers, Book 16
  17. Book cover for "Left Behind"

    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.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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