Adventure books for children and teens
Adventure books for children and teens. Here’s our selection of contemporary, classic, themed, diverse and exciting adventure books for children and teens aged 7-12+, classrooms and school libraries. Adventure stories are an absolute blast for children and teens! They transport young minds to thrilling worlds filled with mystery, excitement, and endless possibilities. With each turn of the page, captivating tales ignite imaginations whisking readers away on heart-pounding quests alongside courageous heroes and heroines. Twisty action and cliffhangers keep the reader engaged and eager to unravel the next thrilling chapter. Adventure stories not only provide escapism but also help to nurture important skills like problem-solving, resilience, and empathy. From pirates and treasure hunts to daring derring-do in far-off lands, we hope the stories below will ignite a spark of wonder and curiosity in your students.
This list of children’s adventure stories includes modern and classic titles by Maz Evans, Cressida Cowell, Dom Conlon, Lucy Brandt, Sufiya Ahmed, Efua Traore, Varsha Shah, A.F. Steadman, Wilbur Smith, Robert Muchamore, Robert Louis Stevenson and more. So if you’re looking to fuel your child’s thirst for adventure fiction, or top up your school and classes library shelves, look no further!
Adventure books for children and teens – our recommendations
Adventure books for children aged 7-9
Vi Spy: Licence to Chill by Maz Evans.
The Missing Barbegazi by H.S. Norup.
Hilda and the Troll by Luke Pearson.Big Sky Mountain: The Sky Eagles by Alex Milway
Rosa finds feels at home at the top of the mountain with a family of eagles in this cracking adventure story that explores themes of helping each other and the environment. Inspired by the author’s own experiences, Big Sky Mountain is the perfect first-chapter book series for children who like fast-paced and rewarding stories.
Which Way to Anywhere by Cressida Cowell
When K2 begins to draw amazing places from his imagination, little does he know these worlds are real. Soon his secret power becomes the key to mapping a mission to save his kidnapped baby sister. With fast-moving action, immersive and magical worlds and plenty of peril, Which Way to Anywhere is bound to be a big hit with children in KS2, and is ideal to read aloud in class. Highly recommended.
Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart.
Matilda Meets the Universe by Dom Conlon.
Big Sky Mountain by Alex Milway.Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape
Join Indiana and Aisha in this deep sea page-turner that sees our heroes pitted against a slithery serpent with dastardly plans. Accessible, gripping and fun, Indiana Bones and the Invisible City is a cracking fast-paced adventure for readers in KS2. If you are teaching an Undersea Worlds topic in lower KS2, this is the story to use.
Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor by Lucy Brandt.
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.
The Lost Diary of Charlie Small: Gorilla City by Nick Ward.Adventure books for children aged 9-11
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold.
Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy by Sufiya Ahmed.
The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell.Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere by Ruth Lauren
When intrepid Tourmaline sets out to rescue her missing archaeologist mother, she comes across a fantasy kingdom complete with talking fauna and Captain Violet’s pirate crew. Is it possible that they are all looking for the same thing? This exciting middle-grade story is unputdownable, thanks to strong and relatable female characters, a captivating plot, and an evocative fantasy world. The eye-catching cover, with a gleaming silver finish, will stand out in your library displays. Read our full review.
The Time Travellers: Adventure Calling by Sufiya Ahmed
Join Suhana, Mia, and Ayaan as they take an unexpected journey back to 1911 during a visit to Parliament. Suddenly in the middle of a women’s suffrage demonstration, they must navigate key historical events while finding a way to return to their own time. This highly researched, insightful and relatable story will appeal to children who enjoy finding out about history and teachers looking for diverse reading material about the Suffragettes. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter by David Owen.
Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr.
Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle.One Chance Dance by Efua Traoré
When Jomi travels to Lagos to find his mum, his only companion is a bush baby. Together they meet a group of street kids and hatch a plan to get on TV. Will their one-chance dance idea work and will it help them find Jomi’s mum? Readers will find out in this compelling and rewarding read. Vibrant, uplifting and imaginative, One Chance Dance is perfect for KS2 children who enjoy immersive and adventure stories with relatable characters.
The Boy Who Hit Play by Chloe Daykin.
Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean.
The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club by Alex Bell.Ajay and the Mumbai Sun by Varsha Shah
Ajay discovers a network of corruption by influential people when he creates a school newspaper with his classmates Saif, Vinod, Jasmin, and Jai. Can he avoid danger while exposing the crimes? Ajay and the Mumbai Sun is a gripping modern adventure to lose yourself in reading. With rich cultural intricacies and captivating storytelling, it’s a must-read for students interested in school newspapers.
The House Trap by Emma Read
Amity has vanished in Badwell Woods, a place where children aren’t allowed to go. When Delilah, Sam and Amity’s brother Clause take up the trail, they discover a house where time stands still – in the 1930s. Challenged to play a game, the group of children soon finds themselves embroiled in an unimaginable adventure. This unforgettable haunted house story redefines twists and bends the reader’s perceptions. Highly recommended for upper KS2 readers.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman.
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz.
Kidnap on the California Comet by M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman.Thunderbolt: A Jack Courtney Adventure by Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Smith’s gripping adventure will captivate KS2 readers with pirates, treasure, and child soldiers. With its sinewy prose and clever plotting, this page-turner is packed with vivid descriptions and unexpected turns. From Zanzibar’s turquoise seas to the depths of danger, follow Jack Courtney and his friends as they navigate thrilling twists and situations that test the limits of their trust. Thunderbolt is a thought-provoking tale that will encourage critical thinking while delivering an exhilarating read. Read our full review.
Adventure stories for young adults and teens aged 12+
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.Robin Hood Bandits, Dirt Bikes and Trash by Robert Muchamore
Teen influencer Robin sees an opportunity to take down Guy Gisborne in this eco-tinged instalment of the modern-day Robin Hood series that’s hugely popular with KS2 and KS3 students. Can Robin succeed in bringing down Gisborne – saving lives and halting corruption – in this gripping and fast-paced thriller? With a dialogue-driven plot and relatable dilemmas, Bandits, Dirt Bikes and Trash will be a surefire hit with less confident readers aged 10-13.
Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel.
The Island by Natasha Preston.
Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis.
Railhead by Philip Reeve.
Five Hundred Miles by Kevin Brooks.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner.
Heist Society by Ally Carter.
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore.
Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna
A sinister power threatens Otera in this sequel to The Guilded Ones, and only Deka’s army can defeat it. However, the rising power of Deka is experiencing a crisis of confidence and trust. With a visceral introduction, vivid war descriptions, and a furiously exhilarating conclusion, even the book’s edges are painted red. There are plenty of substantial sociological and philosophical discussion points in Namina Forna’s corrupt and patriarchal fantasy society for teens to discuss and compare to present-day reality.
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander.
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel.
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.Classic children’s adventure books
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.
King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard.
The Three Musketeers: by Alexandre Dumas.The Magic Faraway Tree: The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
Would you choose the Land of Birthdays or the Land of Toys? This timeless and enthralling narrative, set in a mythical place, is a useful book to stimulate creative writing ideas. It’s an enchanting read for confident UKS1 or LKS2 readers, or for a teacher to read aloud to a class at the end of the day.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
A Thief in the Village by James Berry.The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green and Arthur Hall
Fighting the rich and defending the poor, Roger Lancelyn Green’s crisp retellings of the classic legends chronicle Robin Hood’s escapades of quick thinking, sharp strategy and social conscience; along with his band of trusted friends. Split into 24 short and accessible self-contained stories, this collection includes: ‘The Rescue of Will Scarlet‘, ‘The Silver Arrow‘ and ‘King John’s Revenge‘. Ideal for holiday reading, teachers of less confident readers aged 10-13 will also find this text useful for a stimulating comparison exercise with the modern-day stories by Robert Muchamore.
Swallows And Amazons by Arthur Ransome.
The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.Class sets and bulk orders. Click the button below to buy all the books in this Children’s Adventure Books list, or class sets of any of these books and many more from Bookshop.org UK. Bookshop.org supports local independent bookshops.
Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org
Adventure story books resources
- Inklestudios offers a great free resource to create interactive text adventures using only a web browser. Intuitive and easy to use, children aged 10+ will have a great time writing adventures using this app and sharing stories with their peers. Imagine eerie ghost stories, dastardly adventures and legendary escapes, all retold in your atmospheric and dimly lit computer room.
- The free pack of video resources from the BBC looks at all aspects of storytelling, what makes an idea compelling and how and why young readers stay gripped.
- Wondering why adventure stories are important to encourage children’s reading? Read this New Yorker article that discusses the use of choice, scenarios and imagination.
- Here’s a free set of teacher resources to use with the popular Alex Rider adventure series.
- This module from BBC Bitesize uses short videos, top tips, and quick practice exercises to explain how to write adventure stories. It’s perfect for KS2 children.
- BBC Teach features Michael Morpurgo explaining how he creates immersive stories.
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