Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books

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Do your kids like action-packed adventure books and mystery chapter books? Books you can’t put down? Try one of these choices.

Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books

Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura Martin
Action from the first page! This is a crazy good story about a dangerous world where cloned dinosaurs have taken over the world. That forces Sky and her fellow humans to live below ground in “safety” with Noah as their supreme ruler. When her dad goes missing, Sky discovers a secret note with cryptic instructions on how to find him above ground. She leaves the underground city but barely outside a day, she realizes everything she was told might be wrong. Especially after she and her friend Shawn are rescued from hungry dinosaurs by a boy who lives in a treetop enclave. Then the boy’s enclave is attacked by Noah’s soldiers looking for her. So not only does she have to watch out for deadly dinosaurs, she must worry about soldiers. I couldn’t put this book down — it’s so exciting; I can’t wait for book #2!

Ghosts of War Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Secret of Midway: Ghosts of War
 #1
by Steve Watkins
Three kids discover the navy peacoat of a WWII soldier and when they do, the soldier’s ghost appears. They think there’s a reason the ghost hasn’t moved on so the kids are determined to discover his story and what really happened at Midway. Interesting, especially for history enthusiasts.

Kelsey the Spy Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
The Curious Cat Spy Club Kelsey the Spy
by Linda Joy Singleton
I love this series and this third book continues to be just as great as the others. In this adventure, Kelsey’s notebook of secrets (including some about her friends) is stolen. (These aren’t “bad” secrets — Kelsey writes down the things she learns that she doesn’t want to know, but doesn’t think she should tell either.) Not only that but the friends seem to be busy doing other things and aren’t as committed to the club AND they have big tortoise troubles.

Theodore Boone Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Theodore Boone The Scandal
by John Grisham
This is my first Theodore Boone novel and I enjoyed it. I picked this book because it’s about teachers cheating on standardized tests. I think students, teachers, and parents can all relate to hating standardized tests so you’ll find this plot relatable and intriguing. Theodore, a helpful kid known for his burgeoning lawyering skills, learns his friend wrote an anonymous letter to turn in the cheating teachers. Both he and his friend are conflicted, especially when the teachers lose their jobs and are prosecuted.

Classy Crooks Club Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Classy Crooks Club
by Alison Cherry
AJ’s parents are leaving on a research trip so she must stay with her very strict grandmother Jo who doesn’t approve of AJ’s soccer and skateboarding, and other non-ladylike pursuits. After hearing strange sounds, AJ discovers a room filled with exotic, talking birds and learns that her proper grandmother has “rescued” these birds from bad environments. In fact, grandma Jo and her old lady friends are a team of crooks, a heist club. And they want AJ’s help. Well-written and interesting, this is an excellent mystery and coming-of-age story.

Johnny Hangtime Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Johnny Hangtime
by Dan Gutman
He’s a real stuntkid, the take-all-the-risks, get-no-credit kind and Johnny loves it. This is a high-octane adventure where Johnny will face the same stunt that killed his father. Will he do it or is it time to quit the business? And wait until you get to the plot twist . . . !

race the wild Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Race the Wild series
by Kristin Earhart
Starting with #1 Rain Forest Relay and now with the latest, #4 Savanna Showdown, this adventure series is quick to read and constant action. Plus, each book is filled with interesting facts about the ecosystem the the creatures who live there. Savanna Showdown ends the reality adventure race with Team Red winning on the last leg in Africa.

The Worst Night Ever Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
The Worst Night Ever
by Dave Berry, illustrated by Jon Cannell
When two seniors, the popular but nasty Bevin brothers, see Wyatt’s friend’s Matt’s ferret and steal it, life gets very complicated. Wyatt, Matt, and another friend decide to steal back the ferret from the Bevin’s house but in doing so, they stumble upon a very sinister secret — an illegal exotic animal trade! Their discovery unleashes even more trouble than they could have imagined. Fast-paced and engaging, this is a funny, edge-of-your-seat adventure not to be missed.

Bayou Magic Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Bayou Magic
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Now that I’ve read this book, I can’t wait to read all of Jewel Parker Rhodes other books — this was amazing! We follow the youngest daughter of sisters as she visits her grandmère in the bayou for the first time. There, she discovers that she’s inherited her grandmother’s special connection (magic, if you will) with nature. Maddy loves loves everything about the bayou, including her new best friend, Bear, who has a father with severe alcohol issues. Trouble comes to the bayou when the big rig spills oil and makes it way towards them. Maddy calls upon her magical connection with the river goddess to stop the spill and save the Bon Temps bayou.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
I LOVE this book and have been remiss in not blogging about it sooner. Kyle and several of his his classmates win a sleep over at the new town newly created library by game-creator Mr. Lemoncello and it’s the coolest library EVER! Then, they kids get the chance to play and puzzle their way out. Some work together. Some don’t. And some cheat. But don’t worry, the silly Mr. Lemoncello is fair and wise and the game is brilliant! (Next in the series: Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics.) Book clubs, this would be a fun book to read especially paired with the downloadable activities on Grabenstein’s website. 

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49 Comments

  1. Edge of Extinction is a fantastic book! It kept me up all night reading until the very end.