Begin with the discovery
Start with The Indian in the Cupboard; the magic and relationships make the most sense from book one.
Book Series · 5 Books
The Indian in the Cupboard Books
In order from The Indian in the Cupboard to The Key to the Indian.
Lynne Reid Banks's five-book fantasy begins when Omri discovers that a cupboard can bring plastic figures to life, creating an adventure about power, responsibility, secrecy, and history.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Indian in the Cupboard
Read the five novels in numbered order from The Indian in the Cupboard through The Key to the Indian. Later books build directly on the cupboard's rules, Omri's choices, and Little Bear's continuing story.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The adventures include guns, arrows, wounds, blood, peril, historical violence, and deaths. The central ethical tension—whether living people can be treated like toys—gives families useful material for discussing consent, responsibility, and power.
Parents should also know that the series uses dated language and stereotypes in its portrayal of Indigenous people. Little Bear is an Iroquois character with agency and importance, but the books were written by a non-Indigenous British author and sometimes generalize cultures or use terminology many readers now reject. Consider reading together and pairing the story with contemporary books by Indigenous creators.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1980
The Indian in the Cupboard
A toy Indian becomes real, sparking a secret friendship and adventure.
240 pages· 43,980 words· Est. 6 hour read
5.1/7 Bookroo
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: On his birthday, Omri receives a plastic Indian toy, but a mysterious key brings it to life as Little Bear, a warrior from another time. As Omri navigates this magical secret, he must protect Little Bear from discovery. Can their unlikely friendship survive the challenges of two worlds colliding? Discover the magic and mystery that bind them together.
In reading order
The Indian in the Cupboard Series
5 books · Published 1980–1998
#1
Sale price
$858
The Indian in the Cupboard
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1980
A toy Indian becomes real, sparking a secret friendship and adventure.
#2
Sale price
$858
The Return of the Indian
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1986
A magical key revives a tiny warrior, thrusting Omri into a life-or-death struggle.
#3
Sale price
$858
The Secret of the Indian
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1989
Omri's time-traveling adventures span wars and the Old West.
#4
Sale price
$958
The Mystery of the Cupboard
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1993
A hidden journal reveals the origins of a magical cupboard, forcing Omri to break his vow.
#5
Sale price
$958
The Key to the Indian
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1998
A boy's secret leads to a perilous journey through time to save a friend in danger.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Indian in the Cupboard series?
There are 5 books in the Indian in the Cupboard series. It began with The Indian in the Cupboard in 1980, and the newest book, The Key to the Indian, was published in 1998.
What order should you read the Indian in the Cupboard books in?
Start with The Indian in the Cupboard and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
What ages are the Indian in the Cupboard books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring The Indian in the Cupboard to life.
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