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The Cam Jansen Mysteries — by David A. Adler

The Cam Jansen Mysteries Series in Order: 36 books

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

    Book - 1

    When a jewelry store is robbed, fifth-grader Jennifer Jansen knows she has to act fast. Nicknamed "The Camera" because of her photographic memory, Cam takes special care to remember what each person looks like as they leave the store. The police are ...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.

    Book - 2

    There's a mystery in the air! When Cam and her friend Eric see strange lights above the trees, they're sure that U.F.O.s have landed. When they investigate, they find that there's more to the alien invasion than meets the eye. Between Eric's camer...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones

    Book - 3

    Something is very wrong at the museum! When Cam and her friend Eric go on a field trip with their fifth grade class, Cam's photographic memory reveals that some dinosaur bones are missing. But who could have sneaked them past the museum guards? Can C...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Television Dog

    Book - 4

    Cam's caught in a canine caper! Cam and Eric can't wait to meet Poochie, the TV dog. But while they're waiting in line for Poochie's autograph, Poochie mysteriously disappears!. Can Cam's photographic memory rescue Poochie?...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Gold Coins

    Book - 5

    Fifth grader Cam Jansen puts her mental camera to work when her homemade box camera disappears from the school science fair. Then two valuable gold coins vanish from the coin shop, and Cam and her friend Eric must work twice as hard to solve both cri...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball

    Book - 6

    Fifth-grader Cam Jansen has the perfect chance to show off her amazing mental camera at the community hobby show -- especially at the Babe Ruth exhibit of baseball cards and other collectibles. But when the prized baseball, autographed by Babe Ruth, ...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown

    Book - 7

    Cam "The Camera" Jansen, her friend Eric, and Aunt Molly are all having a fine time at the circus -- until Cam suspects something sneaky. In a flash, Cam and Eric are on the track, trying to catch some clever pickpockets. The thieves think they're...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monster Movie

    Book - 8

    Cam Jansen, her friend Eric, and her parents are anxious to see the monster movie Shoe Escape. The first half is terrific, but the second half is ...gone? Someone has stolen the reel of film. The theater manager is sure he's spotted the thief. But...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Carnival Prize

    Book - 9

    The Cam Jansen books are perfect for young readers who are making the transition to chapter books, and Cam is a spunky young heroine whom readers have loved for over two decades. Now the first ten books in the series have updated covers that bring n...



  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Monkey House

    Book - 10

    Someone's been monkeying around at the monkey house.... A few monkeys are missing from the zoo, and Cam is sure she knows how the thief took them from their cages. With the help of her amazing photographic memory and her best friend, Eric, can Cam...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper

    Book - 11

    Can Cam use her photographic memory to crack the case? A mystery has popped up and Cam is on the case! When a customer at Binky's Department Store realizes that his shopping bag -- containing a brand-new corn popper -- has been stolen, Cam and Eric...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery of Flight 54

    Book - 12

    Take off with Cam on a runaway adventure! Cam and her friend Eric go to the airport to meet Aunt Molly, just arriving from France. But before you can say "bonjour," a young French girl has disappeared, and it's Cam to the rescue! ...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Haunted House

    Book - 13

    Cam's on the lookout for a creepy criminal! Cam Jansen and her friend Eric are visiting an amusement park with her aunt and uncle. Bumper cars and the Haunted House are exciting enough, but then Aunt Katie's wallet is stolen. Who could have taken i...

  • Cam Jansen and the Chocolate Fudge Mystery

    Book - 14

    Knock, knock. Who's there? Cam Jansen, detective! Cam Jansen can find a mystery anywhere -- even at the house next door! When Cam and Eric set out to raise money for the local library by selling fudge door-to-door, they find that someone is hidi...

  • Cam Jansen and the Triceratops Pops Mystery

    Book - 15

    The Cam Jansen series is perfect for young readers who are making the transition to chapter books. The first ten books in the series have received updated covers, bringing new life to these perennial bestsellers. Now the series redesign continues wit...

  • Cam Jansen and the Ghostly Mystery

    Book - 16

    Boo! Are you afraid of Ghosts? Cam and Eric are on line to buy tickets to see their favorite band when a person dressed as a ghost starts scaring people. Then someone else in line realizes that she's been robbed. Is there a connection? Leave it to...

  • Cam Jansen and the Scary Snake Mystery

    Book - 17

    Cam's got a whole new m-hiss-tory to solve! Cam, Eric, and Mrs. Jansen are spending an eventful afternoon in the big city. First a snake is let loose on the steps of the library. Then Mrs. Jansen's bag is stolen -- with her video camera inside. Co...

  • Cam Jansen and the Catnapping Mystery

    Book - 18

    The cat's out of the bag! Aunt Molly is in town. When Cam visits her at her hotel, she stumbles on a mystery. One of the guests at the hotel gives her beloved Little Tiger to a bellhop to bring up to her room. But the cat never arrives and now the b...

  • Cam Jansen and the Barking Treasure Mystery

    Book - 19

    Sail with Cam Jansen, the girl with the amazing photographic memory. See a two-hundred-year-old pirate ship. Meet funny Mabel Trent. Meet Lila Wood and her Little Treasure. Look for clues as you read Cam Jansen and the Barking Treasure Mystery....



  • Cam Jansen and the Birthday Mystery

    Book - 20

    It's time for a birthday celebration, but first, Cam Jansen must solve a mystery. The clue is in the story. Will you find it before Cam does? Will you solve the birthday mystery? Try the memory quiz in the back of the book. "Click" along with Cam!...

  • Cam Jansen and the School Play Mystery

    Book - 21

    It's time for Cam Jansen's friend Eric to star as Honest Abe Lincoln, but first, Cam has a mystery to solve. The clues are in the story. Will you find them before Cam does? Can you solve the mystery? Test your memory with the quiz in the back of t...

  • Cam Jansen and the First Day of School Mystery

    Book - 22

    Ms. Benson has been arrested! It's the first day of fifth grade and Cam and Eric can't wait to meet their new teacher, Ms. Benson. But the school day is just beginning when two policemen come into their classroom and take Ms. Benson away! A teacher ...

  • Cam Jansen and the Tennis Trophy Mystery

    Book - 23

    Mr. Day's prized tennis trophy had been safely locked in his cabinet. Now it's gone! "I keep the office door and the cabinet doors locked. How could anyone have taken it?" Mr. Day asks. Eric thinks he can solve the case. Cam knows she can. Can you?...

  • Cam Jansen and the Snowy Day Mystery

    Book - 24

    It's snowing outside. Inside Cam and her classmates are headed to the computer lab. When they get there, Cam, Eric, and Danny can't do any work. Their computers are missing! What happened to them? Were they stolen? Will you be able to solve the myste...

  • Cam Jansen and the Valentine Baby Mystery

    Book - 25

    Celebrate twenty-five years of Cam with this special anniversary mystery! It's Valentine's Day at school, and Cam, Eric, Danny, and Beth are delighted. There are cookies, heart decorations -- and a visit from Eric's mother. Wait! What is she doing t...

  • Cam Jansen and the Secret Service Mystery

    Book - 26

    Can Cam use her photographic memory to crack the case? Will Cam help the Secret Service? It is a big day at Cam's school. The governor, who is running for president, is visiting for the dedication of a new library. There are police officers, Secret...

  • Cam Jansen and the Mystery Writer Mystery

    Book - 27

    Cam Jansen, her friends, and their parents are at school for a book fair. Everyone?s favorite mystery writer, Jim E. Winter, is also there signing books. During the signing, Danny?s parents discover their car is missing. Was it stolen? Jim E. Winter ...

  • Cam Jansen and the Green School Mystery

    Book - 28

    Cam Jansen?s school is going green. For each can or bottle Cam and her classmates bring in to be recycled, the school earns a nickel. But when all the nickels go missing, everyone suspects they were stolen. Can Cam click! and use her photographic mem...

  • Cam Jansen and the Basketball Mystery

    Book - 29

    Cam and her friend Eric are having fun at a local basketball game. They watch the team?s retiring coach receive a basketball signed by his former players, including the governor. But after the game the ball is gone. Was it stolen? In another addition...



  • Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

    Book - 30

    Cam Jansen and her friends are volunteering at a talent show at the local senior center. They're having fun entertaining the guests and enjoying treats donated by Ken's Bakeshop. But during the show someone steals the wedding cake from Ken's truck ou...

  • Cam Jansen and the Graduation Day Mystery

    Book - 31

    Eric's father is finally graduating from college. But before the celebration can begin, a very special present from Grandpa Shelton disappears. Was it lost-or stolen? Cam must use her photographic memory to track down the gift....

  • Cam Jansen and the Millionaire Mystery

    Book - 32

    Can Cam catch a jewel thief? Cam Jansen and her best friend, Eric Shelton, are at a charity function with their mothers to raise money for local firefighters. When the host's pearl necklace goes missing, the luncheon turns into a whodunit, and all...

  • Cam Jansen and the Spaghetti Max Mystery

    Book - 33

    How do you find someone you've never seen? Mr. Jansen's best friend from childhood, "Spaghetti" Max, is coming for a visit. Cam Jansen, her best friend Eric, and Mr. Jansen go to the airport to meet Max. While they're looking for him, a distresse...

  • Cam Jansen and the Joke House Mystery

    Book - 34

    Aunt Molly has entered a joke-telling contest at a local comedy club and Cam, her best friend Eric, and Mr. Jansen are in the audience to watch her perform. The prizes are exciting, but the competition is stiff -- there's a prop comic, a knock-knock...

  • Cam Jansen Fun Book

  • Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries

    Three Cam Jansen summer camp mysteries in one book! Cam Jansen is having a very busy summer. She and her best friend, Eric, are spending three weeks at Camp Eagle Lake. It's a summer filled with swimming, sports, canoeing, arts and crafts, and mak...

Series Premise

Cam Jansen is an ordinary fifth-grader with an extraordinary gift: a photographic (eidetic) memory that lets her "click" and store perfect mental images of scenes, people, or objects. When something goes missing or a puzzle arises—whether a stolen necklace, a UFO sighting reported by classmates, dinosaur bones vanishing from a museum, a teacher's wallet disappearing, or a school contest mystery—Cam uses her recall to notice details others overlook. She teams up with her loyal best friend Eric Shelton (who often acts as the more cautious, questioning sidekick) to investigate, interview suspects, and solve the case before adults (teachers, parents, or police) figure it out. Mysteries are light and age-appropriate: thefts, lost items, pranks, misunderstandings, or minor crimes that resolve happily. Cam's memory provides the key breakthrough—recalling a suspect's clothing, a misplaced object, or a overheard conversation—leading to the culprit's exposure (often a classmate, neighbor, or adult with a simple motive like jealousy or mistake). The stories emphasize cleverness over danger, with Cam confidently asserting her observations and proving kids can be smart problem-solvers.



The Cam Jansen Mysteries Series Characters

Cam Jansen (Jennifer Jansen): The protagonist—a fifth-grade girl with curly red hair and an incredible photographic memory. Smart, confident, and enthusiastic about solving mysteries; she "clicks" to capture mental images and recalls them perfectly. Curious and observant, she's the driving force behind every case.
- Eric Shelton: Cam's best friend and constant partner—a sensible, slightly cautious boy who asks questions, helps brainstorm, and provides balance to Cam's boldness. Loyal and supportive, he often doubts at first but trusts Cam's memory.
- Supporting cast: Cam's parents (supportive but not deeply involved), classmates/teachers (frequent suspects or victims), and occasional recurring figures like family members or school staff. No large ensemble—focus stays tight on Cam, Eric, and the mystery of the book.

Setting of the The Cam Jansen Mysteries Series

The primary setting is a typical American suburban or small-town community—likely inspired by Adler's New York-area background—with everyday locations familiar to young readers: school classrooms and playgrounds, local museums, libraries, parks, houses, stores, carnivals, sports fields, and neighborhoods. Specific books expand to places like dinosaur exhibits, beaches, zoos, or holiday events, but the world remains safe and recognizable: no exotic locales or high-stakes danger. Time is contemporary (1980s onward, with timeless feel), featuring bikes, school buses, recess, teachers, and family life. The ordinary backdrop makes Cam's memory stand out—mysteries arise in mundane places, solved by noticing overlooked details.

Tone & Themes of the The Cam Jansen Mysteries Series

The tone is cheerful, empowering, and gently humorous—classic early chapter book mystery with a positive, encouraging vibe. Mysteries are fun and low-stakes: no real danger, violence, or scary elements; resolutions are satisfying and quick. Cam's "click" memory trick adds wonder and confidence-building (she's proud of her skill and uses it openly). Humor comes from Cam's matter-of-fact narration, Eric's occasional skepticism, and light-hearted situations (mix-ups, silly suspects). Adler keeps the language simple, repetitive (reinforcing the "click" gimmick), and accessible, with short chapters and frequent illustrations to maintain engagement. It's optimistic: Cam always succeeds through observation and logic, teaching kids that paying attention and thinking carefully can solve problems. No heavy themes—focus is on friendship, smarts, and the joy of figuring things out.

David A. Adler's Cam Jansen Mysteries series remains a timeless favorite for young readers, delivering over 34 engaging, easy-to-read chapter books that celebrate intelligence, observation, and friendship through simple, satisfying whodunits. With Cam's photographic memory as her superpower and Eric as her steadfast sidekick, the stories empower children to believe in their own smarts while enjoying light-hearted adventures in familiar settings. Perfect for early independent readers or classroom read-alouds, the series combines gentle suspense, humor, and subtle lessons in attention to detail—proving that mysteries are everywhere, and a sharp mind (and a good "click") can solve them all. As Cam continues cracking cases in her everyday world, the books inspire generations to read, think, and have fun along the way.



Books in this series fall into the following genres

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are 36 books in The Cam Jansen Mysteries series.

The Cam Jansen Mysteries series does not have a new book coming out soon. The latest book, Cam Jansen and the Joke House Mystery (Book 34), was published in September 2014.

The first book in The Cam Jansen Mysteries series, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, was published in February 1980.

The Cam Jansen Mysteries series primarily falls into the Mystery genre. This chapter book series was written for ages 7-10, but some older readers may still like to read these books.

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