Best adventure books for kids
The best adventure books for kids include Magic Tree House, Dog Man and Holes. Adventure stories move fast, which makes them a good choice for children who find it hard to settle into a book.
12 books, checked for age-appropriate content. Updated .
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 6–8
Magic Tree House
by Mary Pope Osborne
Siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house full of books in the woods near their home. Whenever they open a book and make a wish, the magic tree house whisks them away to different times and places throughout history, from ancient lands to distant eras. Young readers love the blend of real facts, easy-to-read chapter formats, and the thrill of exploring new worlds alongside two relatable and curious adventurers.
- 2
Ages 6–11
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
When a police officer and his loyal police dog are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery creates Dog Man—part dog, part policeman, and wholly dedicated to justice. While struggling with doggy habits like chasing balls, he must protect the city from the scheming villain Petey the Cat. Told through lively, full-color comic panels with interactive flip-o-ramas, this fast-paced story appeals to young and reluctant readers through slapstick humor, warmth, and relentless energy.
- 3
Ages 9–14
Holes
by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is plagued by bad luck, thanks to a curse placed on his great-great-grandfather. Sent to Camp Green Lake, a brutal juvenile detention facility in the middle of a dried-up desert lake bed, boys are forced to dig one five-foot hole every day. Stanley soon suspects the cruel Warden is secretly hunting for buried treasure. With clever, interlocking timelines and a dry, witty narrative voice, this absorbing story balances hardship with humor and deep friendship.
- 4
Ages 6–8
Fantastic Mr. Fox
by Roald Dahl
Mr Fox is clever, daring, and always one step ahead of the three meanest farmers around: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. When they join forces and bring heavy machinery to dig him out of his home, Mr Fox must come up with a brilliant plan to save his family and the other woodland animals. Full of energy, snappy dialogue, and playful mischief, this fast-paced story delights children with its battle of wits between a cunning hero and ridiculous villains.
- 5
Ages 9–14
Football Genius
by Tim Green
Twelve-year-old Troy White has an extraordinary talent: he can watch any football play unfold and predict exactly what the opposing team will do next. Troy longs to use his gift to help his favorite NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons, but getting adults and professional coaches to listen to a kid is nearly impossible. Young sports fans will love the thrilling, fast-paced gridiron action combined with Troy's relatable struggles with friendship, family, and proving his own worth on and off the field.
- 6
Ages 6–8
Journey
by Aaron Becker
A bored, lonely girl uses a red marker to draw a magic door on her bedroom wall, stepping straight into an astonishing new world. As she travels through grand castles and swooping canals on self-drawn boats, hot-air balloons, and flying carpets, she soon finds herself risking everything to help a captured creature in need. Told entirely without words, this visual adventure lets young readers interpret the story themselves, sparking their imaginations with its breathtaking artwork and themes of courage and creativity.
- 7
Ages 9–11
The Land of Stories
by Chris Colfer
After losing their father, twins Alex and Conner receive a cherished fairy-tale book from their grandmother that unexpectedly acts as a portal into a magical realm. To find their way back home, the siblings must travel through kingdoms inhabited by familiar characters like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and Goldilocks on a quest to gather rare items. The story is an imaginative, fast-paced blend of humour and wonder that appeals to children who love clever twists on traditional folklore.
- 8
Ages 9–11
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein
When game lover Kyle Keeley wins an invitation to spend the night in his town's brand-new public library, he expects a fun sleepover with games and holographic wonders. Instead, eccentric game-maker Luigi Lemoncello announces a challenge: the doors are locked, and the children must decipher a trail of riddles, anagrams, and book-related clues to find the hidden exit. Full of playful competition, clever wordplay, and teamwork, this fast-paced mystery keeps young puzzle-solvers eagerly guessing along with the characters.
- 9
Ages 9–11
George's Secret Key to the Universe
by Lucy & Stephen Hawking
George's pet pig escapes into the next-door garden, leading him to meet his eccentric neighbor Eric and Eric's daughter Annie. Eric owns Cosmos, an incredible supercomputer capable of opening doorways into outer space. When a sinister teacher schemes to steal Cosmos, George finds himself on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos to save the day. Blending an exciting science-fiction adventure with real astrophysics explained clearly, it is an engaging ride for curious young readers fascinated by the stars.
- 10
Ages 6–8
The Princess in Black
by Shannon Hale
Princess Magnolia has a secret: whenever her monster alarm rings, she slips into disguise as the Princess in Black to battle hungry beasts and protect the kingdom's goats. Balancing proper tea parties with Duchess Wigtower and high-kicking superhero duty makes for a fast-paced, humorous adventure. Early readers love the colorful illustrations, playful secret-identity fun, and the reassuring message that princesses can be brave, tough, and resourceful.
- 11
Ages 6–8
Real Pigeons Fight Crime
by Andrew McDonald
Rock Pigeon is a master of disguise who joins an elite squad of crime-fighting pigeons. Together, the feathered detectives tackle odd neighborhood mysteries, from vanished breadcrumbs to kidnapped park bats. Packed with slapstick humor, quirky characters, and energetic cartoon illustrations on every page, this fast-paced mystery keeps early chapter-book readers giggling as they follow the team's silly disguises and funny detective work.
- 12
Ages 6–11
The Boxcar Children
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Four orphaned siblings—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—run away to stay together and make a cozy home inside an abandoned train car in the woods. Using their wits and teamwork, they find creative ways to gather food, build dishes, and take care of each other. Children love the comforting fantasy of resourcefulness, independence, and the warm, supportive bond between the brothers and sisters.
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