What’s better than a thrilling tale of high-stakes adventure, heroism, and courage against all odds? A whole series of them! From historical mysteries to comic heists to Roblox-inspired monster escapes, these fast-paced adventure books have something for every young reader. Best of all, adults will find them absorbing too.
If you’re looking to start things off in the right direction, you can’t do better than an adventure story with one classic element: a good treasure map. The Adventure Friends #1: Treasure Map is the first book in a series from Scholastic’s Acorn line books aimed at boosting fluency in readers aged 4 - 7. Packed with humor and featuring easy-to-read text and colorful illustrations, this story follows Clarke and Miguel as they explore their neighborhood, search for hidden treasure, and show off their mapping skills. Your young adventurer may want to try their hand at creating their own maps once the stories conclude.
Fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants will love The Bad Guys. This New York Times best-selling illustrated series is a lock for any kid who is more interested in the baddies than hero types — or anyone who likes laughing themselves to tears while devouring a good redemption arc.
Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark are on a quest to change their stripes…or at least, their reputation. They may look, sound, and even smell like bad guys, but these antiheroes are determined to do good. For their first mission, they’re going to break 200 dogs out of the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. Place your bets on whether things go smoothly and the Bad Guys save the day!
Fantasy for Early Readers
The Last Firehawk #1: The Ember Stone follows Tag, a young owl who dreams of being a mighty warrior, as he and his friends embark on a journey to stop a terrible darkness from destroying their land. This fast-paced series showcases exciting quests, magic, and the power of friendship to overcome evil and save the world. Young readers will also love that this series is fully illustrated, featuring captivating art on every page.
Of course, no fantasy saga is complete without a dragon or two. If this is you, let your kids’ imagination soar with Dragon Masters #1: Rise of the Earth Dragon. Eight-year-old Drake is bound by King Roland’s orders to become a Dragon Master. Join him and other Dragon-Master-in-Training as they learn how to train their dragons and discover their special powers. With 27 books (and counting!), this series will satisfy your bookworm’s appetite for adventure.
Realism for Young Readers Who Crave Adventure
But not all adventure involves magic and wizards. There are plenty of adventure books for kids geared toward readers who love realistic stories about survival and the power of nature. If this is your middle-grade reader, consider fast-paced tales featuring young heroes battling the elements.
Start your voyage with the Island Trilogy by Gordon Korman. This three-volume saga is a classic desert island tale starring six shipwrecked kids fighting for survival. With few supplies, no food, and no adults, our heroes must use their ingenuity and courage to make it to dry land. But once they reach the island, they quickly realize that they aren’t alone. Can they outwit their enemies and escape?
Newberry Award-winning author Rodman Philbrick offers two gripping survival tales featuring missing kids who find the courage to overcome impossible odds. Wildfire follows Sam Castine, a camper cut off from evacuation by a flash forest fire. Using survival skills learned from his late father, Sam and his new friend Delphy struggle to outrun the blaze.
The next adventure, Wild River, features a similar battle against nature. The hero of this story is Daniel Redmayne, a camper on a white water rafting trip. When the dam fails and the river rises, Daniel and his friends fight to get to higher ground. But the rising water isn’t the only danger, as the kids struggle to keep hope alive and work together until help arrives.
Round out your survival reads with the boxed set of I Survived: Ten Thrilling Stories. Geared toward readers aged 7 to 10, this collection features relatable characters, riveting plotlines, and real-life action ripped from the pages of history. Stories include the sinking of the Titanic, the destruction of Pompeii, and the Battle of Gettysburg.
Each story includes background information on the historical event it depicts so that curious readers can continue learning after the story concludes. And, since there are also I Survived graphic novels, allowing readers can experience the series in multiple forms.
Your Gamer’s Next Adventure
But perhaps your kids are more into digital escapism. For kids who love gaming, look no further than adventure books inspired by Roblox and Minecraft. Diary of a Roblox Pro #1: Monster Escape follows Ari and his friends and they try to flee a warehouse that’s mostly abandoned … except for the monster that’s locked inside with them.
Meanwhile, Diary of a Minecraft Wolf #2: Underwater Heist starts with a distress signal. Can undercover agent Winston the Minecraft Wolf help recover the stolen item and prove his skills before more sinister happenings take place? You bet he can!
Whether your kid is into video games, fantasy and magic, or survival stories, you’ll find adventure books for them in The Scholastic Store. Check out these popular adventure series or search by age, interest, and more.
