Children’s Fiction Books with Video Game Stories for Gamer Kids

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Got a gamer kid who loves to play video games but maybe doesn’t love to read yet? Incorporate their love of video games into their book choices!

In other words, get them to read books about kids who also love to play video games. See if you can hook them in a good book by combining their interest in gaming with characters who feel the same.

Incidentally, many of the books on this list are books in a series.

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Children’s Fiction Books for Gamers

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.

Jack Gets Zapped by Mac Barnett
(ages 5 – 7)
On rainy days, The Lady and Rex read and cuddle up by the fire but not Jack. He plays video games. Then, Jack gets sucked into the video game world — which he loves until the Boss kidnaps him. Who can save him? The Lady! Hilarity and adventure ensue as The Lady figures out how to play the game and save Jack.

The Double Life of Danny Day by Mike Thayer
(ages 8 – 12)
Danny lives each day twice — the first time through a day doesn’t count so he goofs off and plays video games. The second time through a day counts does count with mixed results including trying to trick his classmates with his mind-reading powers. Danny gets inspired by a new friend named Zach who lives with intention and integrity. Danny considers how he can use his extra time to catch the bullies who are using video games to scam other kids.

Glitch by Sarah Graley (graphic novel)
(ages 8 – 12)
Izzy gets sucked into her new video game, learning she’s the chosen one who must save Dungeon City. She struggles to balance her virtual task and new friend Rae with her real-life with school, her family, and best friend Eric. It’s an action-packed adventure with relatable characters, humor, and good vs. evil.

My Video Game Ate My Homework by Dustin Hansen
(ages 8 – 12)
Talk about a crazy day! After Dewey breaks a video game prize console, he takes it to the clubhouse so he and his friends can fix it. Once they start to fix it, it activates a portal into a real video game with avatars, magical objects, lives, and danger. The story is a creative, playful adventure of cooperation, adventure, and imagination.

Escape from a Video Game by Dustin Brady
(ages 7 – 12)
If you like adrenaline with pure high stakes action, this choose-your-own adventure book will be your next favorite book! You are the hero in a new release video game called Cooper Hawke and the Secret of Phantom Island. Think quickly in order to escape your enemies and not get killed.

Last Gamer Standing by Katie Zhao
(ages 8 – 12)
Reyna Cheng has her reasons for playing in the video games tournament as a male character called TheRuiNar, the biggest reason being that males are more accepted and not harassed like female players. But just as she’s on track to win the tournament’s big prize to help pay her mom’s hospital bills, someone discovers the truth. She’ll have to decide if she should give in to the blackmailer’s demands or reveal the truth of her identity.

The Cursed Temple (Escape Book / Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior) by Alain T. Pussegur
(ages 7 – 10)
Minecraft fans will love this interactive book that asks readers to solve riddles, choose their path, and solve problems. You’re Runt, a brave warrior (and former noob). When a mysterious temple arises from the ocean, your friend Breeze leaves to explore it and never returns. Now, you’ll have to search for her without becoming a prisoner either. Tons of fun!

Homerooms and Hall Passes by Tom O’Donnell
(ages 8 – 12)
Imagine instead of regular American kids playing Dungeons and Dragons that characters from Dungeons and Dragons played Homeroom & Hall Passes about regular middle schoolers! That’s the premise of this adventurous game that accidentally are transported by an ancient curse into middle school where instead of battling ogres, they’ll have to pass algebra and find someone to sit with in the cafeteria.

Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior by Cube Kid, illustrated by Saboten
(ages 7 – 10)
Runt is a 12-year old who doesn’t want to be a typical villager with a typical boring life; he wants to be a warrior like Steve. When Steve loses everything and moves in with Runt’s family, Runt hopes that Steve will help with warrior training. But it’s a guy named Mike in the village jail who helps Runt because Steve is too depressed. Runt’s a relatable, mostly serious, character who just wants a different life — like most kids his age and is competing for a dream opportunity.

Into the Game (Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles) by Nick Eliopulos
(ages 7 – 10)
First in one of the BEST Minecraft book series, this adventure follows five players who are transported inside the game-– and it’s real and they’ll have to use all their survival and problem-solving skills to stay alive. BOXED SET of Books 1 – 4 HERE.

Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady, illustrated by Brady Jessee
(ages 8 – 12)
Gamers and non-gamers alike who love exciting and dangerous stories won’t want to miss this excellent action-packed series. Jesse’s friend gets an early release of a video game — and it sucks both boys into the game. Inside the game, they meet a classmate who has been missing for weeks and is now a grown-up man in the game. They’re all trapped with no escape possible.

Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone
(ages 8 – 12)

At coding camp, Allie makes an app to help kids can find new friends. When she returns to school, she releases it only to discover it has a major glitch. Relatable and engaging, this is a cool STEM-themed story of a middle school girl’s coding project that has unexpected consequences both positive and negative.