Rascal

Q: "How many books are in the Rascal series?"

"There are six books in the Rascal series, published between 2002 and 2017."

Q: "What is the first book in the Rascal series?"

"The first book in the Rascal series is Lost In The Caves, published in 2002."

Q: "Do the Rascal books need to be read in order?"

"Reading in order is helpful since the books follow Rascal's ongoing journey back to his owner Joel, but each book features a self-contained crisis — a cave, a flood, a fire — so individual books can also be enjoyed on their own."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Lost In The Caves	2002	Chris Cooper	Buy
2	Trapped on the Tracks	2002	Chris Cooper	Buy
3	Running for His Life	2002	Chris Cooper	Buy
4	Facing the Flames	2003	Chris Cooper	Buy
5	Swept Beneath the Waters	2004	Chris Cooper	Buy
6	Racing Against Time	2017	Chris Cooper	Buy

Lost In The Caves (2002) launches Rascal’s story, establishing the dog’s separation from his young owner and the determined loyalty that carries him through each subsequent book. The series follows a clear pattern: each installment puts Rascal in a new life-threatening situation — trapped on train tracks, caught in a flood, facing flames — and shows the animal’s resourcefulness and courage.

Chris Cooper (Paul Shipton) keeps the books short and immediate, with chapters designed for young readers who are building reading stamina. James de la Rue’s illustrations appear throughout, giving the books a visual element that supports the text. Racing Against Time (2017) closed the series fifteen years after the first book, giving longtime young fans a proper conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Rascal series?

There are six books in the Rascal series, published between 2002 and 2017.

What is the first book in the Rascal series?

The first book in the Rascal series is Lost In The Caves, published in 2002.

Do the Rascal books need to be read in order?

Reading in order is helpful since the books follow Rascal’s ongoing journey back to his owner Joel, but each book features a self-contained crisis — a cave, a flood, a fire — so individual books can also be enjoyed on their own.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order