60 Action-Packed Adventure Books for Kids

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Get your children hooked on reading with exciting adventure books! The adventure books on this list for kids contain non-stop action that zips along to keep readers entertained throughout, the plots range from curious to peculiar to even crazy. Talk about a recipe for lots of reading! (And that’s my own personal preference, too, by the way — keep me hooked because if I get bored, I will abandon the book!)

adventure books

I love how books transport us so we can live through the lives of the book’s characters. With an adventure book, we can live outside of our comfort zone. We become spies, travel through dangerous lands, fight villains, or survive harrowing experiences. 

What reader wouldn’t like that? Get your risk-takers to travel the world with an adventure book from this list.

Top 10 Adventure Books for Kids

You’ll find the best adventure chapter books and middle grade books for kids who are beginning readers through teenage readers, ages 6 to 16. All of these books are books I’ve personally read, reviewed, and recommend. This book list is updated every month, with the most recent update in November 2023.

Best Adventure Books for Kids

Beginning Readers Ages 6 – 9

Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy! Adventure Chapter Books for Kids

Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy! by Thomas Flintham (ages 5 – 7)
In a video game where evil King Viking and his robot army are trying to ruin everyone’s fun, Super Rabbit Boy must level up to save the town. Simple text with colorful cartoons show the pixelated game.

Battle Bugs #1: The Lizard War by Jack Patton (ages 6 – 8)
Max LOVES bugs, but he never expects to become one! Not that he’s a bug, he decides to help his new bug friends fight the invading lizards who want the bug’s island. Adventure, battles, and bugs make this a fun first read in a new early chapter book series.

Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot The Voodoo Vultures from Venus by Dav Pilkey, illustrated by Dan Santat (ages 6 – 8)
Ricky and his best friend, Might Robot, spend action-packed days trying to save the world and get their chores done.  Full-color illustrations make this enticing adventure book series extra interesting to read.  


Ninja Kid: From Nerd to Ninja by Anh Do
Nelson wakes up on his 10th birthday with perfect vision and… ninja moves! His mum and grandma explain that Nelson is the last ninja in the world — and that he’s destined to save the world. He gets to use his powers on a field trip when ginormous evil spiders attack the group of kids. Action-packed and funny, this adventure book has appealing illustrations and great characters.

Secret Agent, Jack Stalwart by Elizabeth Singer Hunt (ages 6 – 9)
In this action-packed new series, nine-year-old secret agent Jack Stalwart travels the globe in search of his missing older brother Max while solving international crimes for the Global Protection Force.

Ferno the Fire Dragon (Beast Quest #1) by Adam Blade (ages 7 – 9)
This is a short, early chapter book about a young boy, Tom, who gets to go on a quest just like his father before him. Tom’s quest is to free a dragon from an enchanted collar that is making him destroy the kingdom. It’s a decent story –short, adventurous, and features a kid hero. What could be better than that!?

Ivy and Bean (ages 7 – 10)
This daring duo seems an unlikely pair which makes their adventures all the more entertaining. My kids loved, loved, loved the book series — and read the books more than once!


Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion by R. A. Spratt, illustrated by Dan Santat (ages 6 – 8)
I can’t believe I missed this series until now! It’s charming and entertaining. In this family, the dad detests the children and tries to get rid of them by sending them to Nicaragua, but their amazing nanny (who is a pig) always figures out how to outsmart the dad. I love Nanny Piggins!


Danger on the Reef
 by Jake Maddox (ages 6 – 8)
What an exciting adventure book with great pacing. Jasmine and Arjun are siblings with scientist parents who help explore and clean up a coral reef. Arjun misbehaves while diving, putting himself and his sister in danger from a shark. It’s up to Jasmine to save his life and help him do better. In addition to a great adventure, you’ll also learn about ocean pollution and coral reefs.

adventure books
Recipe for Adventure #1 Naples!
by Giada De Laurentiis
Time travel back to Naples, Italy with siblings Emilia and Alfie. There, they discover a world of pizza and help a new friend and his family with the important missing ingredient. Plus, get two recipe cards. A great cooking adventure series that introduces geography, culture, and new foods.

adventure books
The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail
 by Richard Peck, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (ages 6 – 8)
This is a simple but charming story about a mouse who grows up at Buckingham Palace, longing for identity. Not only does he not know his parents, but he doesn’t even know his name! Happily, his adventures lead him to a very satisfactory conclusion.

adventure books

Sam Silver Undercover Pirate by Jan Burchett & Sara Vogler (ages 6 – 8)
Sam’s adventures on the pirate ship of his ancestors are action-packed and entertaining. It’s a series with lots of books!

Race the Wild series by Kristin Earhart (ages 7 – 9)
Starting with #1 Rain Forest Relay and now with the latest, #4 Savanna Showdown, this adventure series is quick to read with constant action. Plus, each book is filled with interesting facts about the ecosystem the creatures who live there. Savanna Showdown ends the reality adventure race with Team Red winning on the last leg in Africa.

adventure books
The Gumazing Gum Girl!
 by Rode Montijo (ages 6 – 8)
When Gabby Gomez pops her enormous gum bubbles, the gum envelops her and gives her superpowers which she uses to help others. Fun and entertaining!

adventure books
Killer Species
 by Michael P. Spradlin (ages 7 – 10)
I loved these fast-paced adventure books about a mad scientist who creates a hybrid crocodile-dinosaur-bird killer creature to stop visitors from entering the Everglades. Emmet and his father arrive to investigate, but when his father is kidnapped, Emmet and his friend, Calvin, know it’s up to them to find where the kidnapper is holding Emmet’s father. 

best adventure book for kids

Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior by Cube Kid, illustrated by Saboten (ages 7 – 12)
12-year-old Runt wants to be a warrior like Steve. So he’s excited when his school finally agrees that the village needs warriors to fight back against the nightly attacks. A guy named Mike in the village jail helps Runt instead of Steve. A fun Minecraft book!

adventure books
The Zombie Chasers
 by John Kloepfer and Steve Wolfhard (ages 7 – 10)
Filled with cartoon illustrations, this chapter book series highlights the bravery of a group of friends (and siblings) who will save the world from zombies. A fun adventure book with lots of kid power.

Adventure Books for Kids: Middle-Grade Readers Ages 9 – 12

I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis
The I Survived books are excellent, fast-paced survival books set during significant historical events, these are about a young person trying to survive a historically important, life-changing event. These books are great for reluctant readers who like a lot of action to go with their history…


Dog Driven
by Terry Lynn Johnson 
McKenna enters a dog sled race to bring awareness to her sister’s degenerative eye disease. Which McKenna has but doesn’t want to tell her parents. During the race, she relies on her lead dog to guide the sled. Another racer, a boy with a blind dog, shows her that his dog is a powerful leader. He quickly notices that McKenna can’t see either. The challenges of the race help McKenna realize that just like Zesty the blind dog, that her differences make her better.


Storm Runners
by Roland Smith
Roland Smith writes non-stop action and adventure books. This series is about what happens when a hurricane hits, flips the school bus, and Chase and his classmates are stuck in a swamp. Be warned, the first book ends on a cliffhanger, but there are three in the series, so you can keep reading with book two, The Surge.

Scar Island Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart 
Sent to an isolated boy’s prison, Jonathan has little time to adjust before all the prison’s adults are killed in a freak lightning accident. Jonathan’s friend is banished from the group, and a mysterious old librarian gives Jonathan books to read that strangely seem perfect for his situation. When a dangerous storm threatens the entire island, Jonathan must decide if he will abandon his guilt and step up to help the other boys. Moral dilemmas, suspense, and action, plus good writing, make this an engrossing adventure.

Ali Cross by James Patterson
If you want an enthralling adventure & mystery that you can’t put down, read this one next. It’s Christmas Eve. Ali’s friend Gabe is missing, his FBI agent dad is falsely accused of murdering an old man, and someone breaks into their house while they were at church and steals his dad’s service weapon. Ali knows he has to try to fix things, starting by finding his friend Gabe. Don’t miss book two, Like Father, Like Son.

Atlantis: The Accidental Invasion by Gregory Mone
Lewis’s scientist dad believes that Atlantis still exists, and when Lewis sneaks off to find his dad’s lab, he ends up on a journey with his dad and his dad’s research assistant, Hanna, to find out the truth. Meanwhile, an Atlantian girl sneaks away from home and passes the guards to see if there could be life above the ocean. When their fates collide, the excitement at each other’s existence is short-lived because the Atlantian Eraser guards capture Lewis’s dad…and then Lewis and Hanna. Interesting, action-packed, and filled with cool tech!

best adventure chapter books
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1 by John Flanagan 
A well-written story of a young, fatherless boy named Hal whose mom was a slave. To survive the town’s prejudice against him, he is helped by another outcast, his dead father’s former shipmate, a one-armed recovering drunk. When it’s time for his Brotherband training, he becomes the leader of a rag-tag group of boys. They’ll compete against better, stronger teams who don’t always play fair. The stakes are high and Hal must win even with his group of misfits.

adventure chapter books for kidsHero Rescue Mission by Jennifer Li Shotz
When Ben’s dad is captured by escaped convicts, Ben and Hero set off to find Ben’s dad. Ben’s already injured and Hero’s too emotional to track the scent so they’re going to need help if they’re going to find his dad. Action from the first page to the last. Kids who love adventure and animals will love this adventure book and series.

Jake Maddox Adventure Extreme Ice Adventure by Jake Maddox, illustrated by Guiliano Alosi
If you like books with adventure, outdoor sports, and danger, this series is a great choice. Nita and Sohail are paired together for the final trial of the Young Alaska Explorers competition– both want to win money for their families. Even though they don’t get along, they’re forced to work together as they encounter near-death experiences and dangerous weather conditions. Fast-paced and interesting.

Wild Survival: Crocodile Rescue! by Melissa Cristina Marquez
Adrianna’s parents have an animal sanctuary and host an animal rescue show moving from YouTube to television. On this trip, the family goes to the mangrove forest of Cuba to help an injured crocodile. Andriana messes up and gets grounded but besides saving a dog, she realizes something the grown-ups missed– that the rescued crocodile had a nest of eggs. She convinces her brother to help her save the eggs but they have a very close call with poachers, adding suspense and a touch of danger. 

The Supervillain’s Guide to Being a Fat Kid by Matt Wallace
An outstanding, surprisingly philosophical, poignant story about dealing with bullies, growing in confidence, and the complexities of human beings. Matt doesn’t think he can survive three more years of middle school bullying, so he writes supervillain Master Plan who is also a “gentleman of size”, asking for help. Surprisingly, Master Plan emails back with helpful, sage advice but is Master Plan actually looking out for Max or for himself?


Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret
by Trudi Trueit
This is National Geographic’s first fictional book series with full-color illustrations that hits the spot with an exciting mix of science, technology, adventure, and mystery. Newly accepted into the prestigious Explorer Academy for science and exploration, Cruz realizes that someone is trying to kill him; someone who doesn’t want him to find out about his mother’s mysterious research and untimely death. There’s tons of cool tech, amazing friendships, plot twists, plus an intriguing premise — if you’re like me, you’ll love this book series.

The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters
Logan is a neurodivergent orphan main character who is fostered out of the orphanage by a friendly new couple, Gil and Margie. Then, Logan and his neighbor, a super cool older girl named Elena, discover that his foster parents are actually superheroes who get double-crossed and captured by an evil villain. In an exciting, fast-paced adventure, Logan and Elena use their wits and strength to save his foster parents and other supes from the villains and the traitor. This story would be great for a read aloud book or book club book.


Wild & Chance
by Alan Zadoff
Creative and well-written, you are going to love this action-packed science fiction adventure. This female dog knows that she’s intelligent but can’t remember her past. When she meets boy named Chance in a group home, strange events start to happen — she is chased by military-like Animal Control soldiers. Then, she and Chance discover a collar that allows her to talk to Chance. Then, Chance and Wild meet a mysterious hacker girl who helps them escape from Animal Control. They learn that Wild was originally owned by an evil group that weaponized dogs. 


The Unadoptables
by Hana Tooke
This started out a little slow, but once it got going, the story hooked me! 5 older orphans escape an adoption from an unscrupulous ship captain and use clues to find Milou’s long-lost parents. When they arrive at the location, there are no adults there, so the kids make a puppet dad to trick the neighbors. To earn money for their illegal adoption, they plan a big puppet show. Meanwhile, the ship captain is searching for them — and won’t give up easily. An enthralling adventure with heroic, problem-solving kids!

Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura Martin 
This is an amazing dystopian story about a dangerous world where cloned dinosaurs have taken over. Sky and her fellow humans live below ground in safety, with Noah as their supreme ruler. Sky discovers that her missing father left her a secret note with cryptic instructions on how to find him. She leaves the underground city in search. Barely outside a day, she and her friend Shawn are rescued from hungry dinosaurs by a boy who lives in a treetop enclave. When his enclave is attacked by Noah’s soldiers looking for her, Sky realizes that everything she believes about Noah is wrong.

best adventure chapter books
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Colgate
ADDICTING!! In this story, the zombie apocalypse is kind of fun. At least, that’s how Jack approaches life and zombie fights. He and his best friend, Quint, live in an upgraded, well-defended treehouse (which is SO COOL I totally want to live there) where they plan for rescuing his crush June (even though she doesn’t need rescuing, being quite capable) and fighting zombies. Illustrations throughout make this even more appealing to read and imagine. I absolutely love this funny dystopian series.


96 Miles
by J.L. Esplin
An apocalyptic event has happened. Now there’s no electricity, the brothers are alone, and all their survival supplies were stolen at gunpoint. John and Stewart travel on the road toward a friend’s ranch for their supplies. It’s not going well–they’ve picked up a girl and her little brother, not to mention Stewart is nonstop fighting with John. If you like survival stories, sibling stories, and adventure, this is a great choice.

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
If you’re a fan of wild and wacky stories, this is the book for you. Cousins Otto and Sheed accidentally stop time, freezing all the people in the town. Mostly. Because a sinister Mr. Flux on a gigantic beast can move about as can all the people related to time like A.M. and P.M.and Father Time. Throw in some unexpected plot twists and excellent writing, and it adds up to a delightful adventure that just proves you should be careful what you wish for…

adventure books for kids

Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray by Jess Keating
Inventor Nikki Tesla joins a new school called the Genius Academy where she’s not the only genius and she’s supposed to start working well with others. (That will be hard!) When Nikki’s death ray is stolen from a locked safe, she and her classmates must collaborate to find it and, hopefully, save the world. They follow clues around the world, thwart plots to divide their group and capture the bad guy before he can use the death ray. Not only does this engrossing story feature smart kids who love STEM, but the action and themes of friendship and growing up resonated and entertained me.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson
I thought this was not just a great series, but I loved that it’s written in a combo of text and comics.

adventure books

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein 
Kyle and a few classmates win a sleepover at the new town’s newly created library by game creator Mr. Lemoncello. The silly Mr. Lemoncello devises a fun way to get OUT of the library — you can only get out if you solve the puzzles around the entire library. Will the kids work together, or will it be every child for himself?

Urban Outlaws: An Unstoppable Team by Peter Jay Black
These smart orphan kids live on their own under the subway. They use their brilliance to help others by stealing from crooks and redistributing the wealth. In this adventure, they steal a super-spy computer that if in the wrong hands would be terrifying. This is a very entertaining and action-packed chapter book for kids.


Case File Little Claws Animal Rescue Agency #1
by Eliot Schrefer
Esquire Fox, a fox, runs the Animal Rescue Agency with the help of her business manager, a rooster named Mr. Pepper. Despite the prey-predator scenario, the duo travels to the Arctic to save a polar bear cub adrift at sea, separated from his mother, and hunted by a dangerous human who wants to sell him. Entertaining writing, lovable main characters with distinctive personalities, and an exciting adventure book make this an excellent start to a new series.

adventure book

Masterminds by Gordon Korman 
This is is a fantastic series that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Eli and his friends discover that their utopian town is all a big science experiment to determine if kids with bad genes, cloned from criminal masterminds, can be “good” when raised in the so-called right environment. The cloned kids know they can’t stay in the town anymore, but how can they escape when the minute they reach the border, they feel violent pain and guards quickly surround them? And if they do escape, what will they do next?

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
This is the story of three children and one dog in medieval France on the run from the King.  It tackles big issues such as faith, God, prejudice, friendship, and family. The writing, the story, the characters, and the themes all pack a big punch adding up to a compelling novel that will make you think deeply and leave you changed.

adventure chapter books for kids
Tunnels
series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams 
In pursuit of his missing father, Will finds a crazy, cult-like subterranean group controlled by frightening leaders who will stop at nothing to maintain control and order in their colony below the surface. I couldn’t put this book down and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

middle grade adventure chapter book
The Van Gogh Deception
by Deron Hicks
Written like an adult suspense novel, this is one of the best edge-of-your-seat mystery and adventure books for middle grade. A boy with no memory is found at the National Gallery staring at a Degas sculpture. Strangely, this boy does know a great deal about art and artists. Soon we learn he’s being hunted by a team of professional bad guys. The boy, Art, and his foster sister escape from several kidnapping attempts and begin to unravel who he is and what’s going on.

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Charles rescues a baby from a cello case after a shipwreck, names her Sophie, and raises her in an unusual way. But the authorities don’t like his parenting and will remove Sophie from Charles’ guardianship. But before that happens, she finds a clue in her cello case that takes them to Paris to find out who she is and if her mother is alive. There, she has rooftop adventures with a new friend named Matteo. He’s one of the street kids that live above the city. And he just might be able to help find Sophie’s mother. A marvelous, heartwarming adventure of brave kids, found family, and friendship.

adventure chapter books for kids
Beetle Boy
by M.G. Leonard 
Darkus Cuttle’s museum director dad mysteriously disappears from a locked room in the museum. Darkus learns that there’s something very strange going on . . . and it has to do with intelligent beetles and a cruel benefactress of the museum. This middle-grade chapter book took me by surprise; I really loved it.

spy books for kids
H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education)
by Mark Walden
Otto is a prime candidate to become a supervillain says the school H.I.V.E. that kidnaps him, enrolling him unwillingly in their island school for villains. Otto and his classmates plan a daring break-out. Plus, they need to stop the mutant flesh-eating plant that’s attacking everyone in the school. A great adventure series!

adventure books for kids
The Explorer
by Katherine Rundell 
Four kids crash land in the Amazon Rainforest. They’re lost, scared, and have no survival skills. Together, they must learn to survive and connect. And they do. When they follow a hidden map, they meet a crotchety old ex-explorer who lives in some ancient ruins. Despite his prickly exterior, he teaches them not just about jungle survival but valuing the jungle as it is without developers or explorers. This adventure transports the reader into a great adventure.

adventure books for children
Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman
Aidan and Meg Falconer are their parents’ only hope. The Falconers are facing life in prison — unless Aidan and Meg can follow a trail of clues to prove their innocence. The problem? Right now they’re trapped in a juvenile detention center. Until they escape one night — and find themselves on the run, both from the authorities and from a sinister attacker who has his own reason to stop them. The Falconers must use their wits to make it across the country … with plenty of tests along the way.

adventure chapter book
Spy Camp
series by Stuart Gibbs 
12-year-old Ben is accidentally recruited for a secret spy school. Which he kind of loves. Even though people are trying to kill him. And even though he’s not an encryption wizard. This is a fantastic, fast-paced, and hilarious adventure series.

Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan W. Stokes
I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed adventure book. Addison and Molly’s archeologist aunt and uncle are kidnapped for their specialized knowledge about the Incas and their famed, hidden treasure. But the kidnappers have underestimated the persistence and brilliance of Addison and Molly, who, with their friends, pursue the treasure and their aunt and uncle.

Amazing Chapter Books for Ages 8 - 12, Late Fall 2017
Tyrannosaurus Ralph
by Nate Evans and Vince Evans
After an accident squishes his body, a scientist implants Ralph’s brain into a T Rex — not just to save Ralph’s life but to save the Earth from destruction. Because Ralph, as a dinosaur, will be the Earth’s champion in the intergalactic fight arena. If Ralph loses, the Earth will be destroyed.  Guess what? Ralph is scared, doesn’t know how to fight, and only has the scientist and his assistant, Lugnut, to back him up. Or does he? Action, humor, an excellent plot, and memorable characters make this a must-read graphic novel for anyone who loves adventure.


Pararescue Corps
by Michael P. Spradlin, illustrated by Spiros Karkavelas
If your kids like military and action stories, I recommend this action-packed adventure book with stories about the pararescuemen and the U.S. Air Force. I enjoyed it and that’s saying something since I’m not typically interested in military stories. Each short story gives behind-the-scenes insight into how the pararescue troops operate in different situations — from a rescue on the top of Denali to one in the Amazon rainforest.

adventure chapter book
The Jolly Regina: The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters
by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Jen Hill
Even before their parents disappeared, Jaundice and Kale Bland loathed excitement and adventure. But their boring existence is rudely disrupted when they are kidnapped by all-female pirates. Who would have thought they could adapt to pirate life, search for their long-lost pirate parents, and return home with the exact same desire for boring as when they left? Funny and very entertaining!

adventure chapter books for kids
Theodore Boone The Scandal
by John Grisham
Theodore, a helpful kid known for his burgeoning lawyering skills, learns that 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.


Voyage of the Frostheart
by Jamie Littler
fantastic, illustrated adventure story about an orphan boy with forbidden musical powers. After Ash’s Pathfinder parents disappear, Ash moves in with a strict guardian Yeti named Tobu. Unfortunately, they’re banished from their home when Ash uses his forbidden Song Weaver magic. They leave the village with a Pathfinder crew, a ship that sails over the snow. On their journey, Ash realizes that he can find his parents using the words in his childhood lullaby. But he’ll be tried, tested, and tricked. Who will he trust? 

adventure chapter books middle grade fiction
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel
by Chris Grabenstein 
P.T. (named after the other P.T.) tells the most creative stories — and it’s his creativity that hopefully will save his family’s motel from the bank. With only a month to raise $100,000, he and his new friend, the math whiz, Gloria Ortega, think they can do it with some unique promotions that include a talking frog and a pirate’s buried treasure. Unfortunately, they come up short, only to discover that there might be REAL buried treasure somewhere at the motel.

adventure books

Loot by Jude Watson 
Once I opened this exciting chapter book, I couldn’t put it down! When March’s dad falls off a building in his last jewel robbery (accident or not?), March is sent to foster care where he meets the twin he didn’t know he had. With the help of two friends at the foster home, they decide to escape and finish March’s dad’s plan to steal all the cursed Moonstones.  I loved it!

adventure books
Shark Bait: Extreme Adventures by Justin D’Ath 
I read Shark Bait in the Extreme Adventure series and thought it was a fantastic book, especially for kids who love action, danger, adventure, with some cool environmental focus thrown in for extra pizazz.

adventure books for kids

Stranded  by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts 
Honestly, I was totally surprised that I liked this book. It’s a great adventure with real-life conflict between new step-siblings who are on a sailboat trip with their uncle. A storm sinks their ship and they barely make it to a deserted island. They’ll have to work together to survive. And hope their parents can find them. Great reading for anyone who loves action and adventure.

surrounded by sharks adventure books
Surrounded by Sharks by Michael Northrop 
Davey gets swept out to sea. He finds an empty water container to help him stay afloat but he’s getting tired. And sharks are circling. Meanwhile, his family is frantically looking for him and doesn’t even realize he went to the secluded beach. Great action and suspense throughout this adventure.


Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
 
by Robert C. O’Brien
This is a must-read, excellent Newbery-winning book about amazing lab rats with intelligence who escape from the lab and form their own community. This was always one of my fifth graders’ favorite read-aloud.

To Catch a Cheat adventure books
To Catch a Cheat by Varian Johnson 
Someone is trying to frame Jackson for a prank he didn’t even commit — and they’re doing a great job of it! It will take months to prove the video is falsified, and by then, Jackson will have missed the robot contest due to his punishment. Jackson and his friends are determined to prove their innocence, but it won’t be easy. This is a great adventure filled with twists and turns. I very much enjoyed it.

adventure books about pirates
Seaborne: The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch 
In this well-written, fantastic action and adventure novel, Dean Seaborne grows up on a pirate ship as their best spy and con artist. But when he messes up the latest mission, he must pass himself off as the long-lost prince of the mysterious island of Zenhala. Once there, he must find and steal the treasure for the pirates. But strangely, Dean really might be the long-lost prince and he’s not sure he wants to rob the island anymore.

Crossing the Line The Raven Files adventure books for kids
Crossing the Line (The Raven Files)
by Meghan Rogers 
This is a captivating, action-packed adventure book about a former teenage North Korean spy and assassin, Jocelyn. Now she’s in the U.S. and is working with her parents’ previous spy agency. She’s supposed to feed North Korea intel but she’s giving them garbage because she’s loyal to the U.S. Life is complicated. No one trusts her. And there’s still the problem of her missing father. Cliffhanger alert and some language.

Pilfer Academy Good Middle Grade Adventure Chapter Book Reviews and Recommendations
Pilfer Academy: a School So Bad It’s Criminal by Lauren Magaziner
Mischievous George is kidnapped from home and forced to attend a school for crooks — where the teachers are criminals and also not very familiar with words and pronunciation (this will make you laugh!) George goes along with his new program and classes but he feels awful when he’s bored to steal a child’s teddy bear. He realizes that maybe he is not cut out for a life of crime. The problem is how to escape? Because kids who don’t make it at the school disappear, for good.

adventure books kids love
Beneath by Roland Smith 
You’ll be hard-pressed to set this adventure chapter book down once you start reading; it’s such a compelling adventure. It’s about a boy named Pat whose parents are checked out and his brother is missing. Pat spends his Christmas vacation tracking his brother, Coop’s, last movements. His search leads him to an underground community, but Coop isn’t there anymore, he’s gone deeper under the ground. And he is in terrible danger. Book 2 is Above.

Adventure Books for Teen Readers Ages 13+

adventure book for teens
The Fixer
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 
I enjoyed this fast-paced adventure and mystery book but if your child reads it, it requires some background knowledge of the U.S. political structure because the story takes place in D.C. with all the movers and shakers. So, learn what the Whip is. That kind of thing. But, I really liked the overarching themes of friendship, forgiveness, and redemption and found them to be a thrilling adventure story.

The Rig
The Rig 
by Joe Ducie
Oh, this was a deliciously good dystopian action story. I loved how the author wove in the science-fiction elements with a realistic adventure story of incarcerated kids who are mistrusting, and find that there are a few people in the world that they can trust. This detention center is on an oil rig in the ocean. But Drake is determined to escape — especially after he discovers what the Rig is really doing.


A School for Unusual Girls
by Kathleen Baldwin
Sent to the Stranje House for burning down her family’s barn after a failed invisible ink science experiment, Georgina soon learns it’s not really a reform school but a sanctuary for smart, female spies who can help the British government. It’s 1814 and the government is desperate for Georgina to succeed with her ink so they can successfully send messages across enemy lines. Entertaining and adventurous!


Lockdown (Escape from Furnace)
by Alexander Smith
Action and intrigue from the get-go, this is one of the most popular dystopian adventure books because our main character has no idea what’s going on. Alex is framed and sent to the underground Furnace jail where the other prisoners are also under 18 and randomly killed or tortured by beast-like creatures. But Alex won’t listen to his cellmate and survive, he wants to escape no matter what.


Wolf by Wolf
 
by Ryan Graudin
Wolf by Wolf is a high-stakes journey of wits and bravery, an author’s skillful writing and imagination, and a compelling story that won’t soon be forgotten. It imagines a world in which WWII ended very differently — with the Axis powers winning. Yael, our heroine, is a death-camp medical experiment escapee who can shapeshift into other humans. She braves a motorcycle race across half the world in order to first win and second get close enough to Hitler to kill him. This is a must-read novel!

adventure book for teens
The 5th Wave
 by Rick Yancey 
Basically, this is a survival story that happens after an alien invasion. It’s good but I wasn’t hooked enough to read the rest of the series. However, the rest of the world thinks this book series is awesome . . . so you decide for yourself. 

Maze Runner
The Maze Runner
by James Dasher
What a wild ride! Kids can’t put these books down. In this dystopian world, kids are either killed or must kill to survive. There are tons of plot twists that kept me surprised and entertained. Boxed Set HERE.

adventure books for kids
The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey #1) 
by Richard Paul Evans
A fantastic sci-fi adventure series about a boy with electrical powers
 and an evil group who wants to control him and others like him.

adventure chapter books
Delilah Dirk and the King’s Shilling
by Tony Cliff (ages 13+)
This exciting adventure YA graphic novel is about a kick-butt heroine whose world travels are cut short when she returns home to England to get revenge, clear her name, and save the British army, even if she has to be her alter-ego, proper lady while she’s there.

good YA book
The Living  by Matt de la Pena
Shy is a teenager from the ‘hood working on a cruise line when a huge earthquake causes a tsunami that sinks the ship. As you can imagine, it’s a harrowing fight for survival on the open ocean with only a spoiled rich girl, and when they eventually make it to an island, there’s a strange illness, men with guns, and more danger than trying to survive on the ocean.

Get your children hooked on reading with an exciting adventure book! The adventure books on this list for kids contain non-stop action that zips along to keep readers entertained throughout, the plots range from curious to peculiar to even crazy. Talk about a recipe for lots of reading!

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