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. Helps young readers connect with history through people and places.
- 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. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 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. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
- 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. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
- 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. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.
- 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. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
- 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. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 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. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 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. Invites heartwarming conversations about family, care, and understanding.
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