12 Adventure Books for Kids to Read This Year (for kids ages 3-12+)

It won’t come as a surprise; as an author of middle-grade adventure books, I love a good adventure story!

There’s something magical about adventure stories. 

They transport you to faraway lands and unknown worlds and take you on exciting quests. 

So, whether your little ones are just starting to explore new worlds or your teen is ready for their next thrilling ride, I’ve rounded up 12 adventure-packed books for all ages to read this year.

From magical creatures to time-travelling escapes, these books will have your kids hooked from page one! 

Here’s a breakdown by age group to make sure no one gets left behind:

For the Little Ones (Ages 3-5)

1. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

Beekle is an imaginary friend who doesn’t have a friend. He has never been chosen by a child, so he decides to take matters into his own hands and go to the real world to find his perfect match. This heartwarming and whimsical story teaches kids about belonging and the magical moment when you find someone who truly sees you. A perfect pick for little dreamers who want to go on a little adventure with a magical imaginary friend.

Themes:

• Imagination and friendship.

• Courage to follow your heart, even when it’s scary.

2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

I absolutely love this story. First of all, the illustrations are incredible.

But the story is also very powerful. It reminds us that, even though going on an adventure is great and exciting, home is where the heart is. And if I’m honest, even though I encourage my kids to explore, this is how I want them to feel for as long as possible :)

This is the tale of Max, a lovable troublemaker sent to his room by his mum for causing chaos. But things take a surprising twist when Max, left to his own devices, imagines a fantastical world full of towering trees, twisting vines, and a journey where he becomes the king of an island inhabited by wild, party-loving monsters.

Eventually, Max feels lonely and decides it’s time to sail back home.

A timeless classic that will take your little ones on a thrilling ride, then remind them of the power of home and belonging.

Perfect for little adventurers who are learning how to balance imagination and reality;)

Themes:

• The power of imagination.

• Home is where the heart is.

3. Marmalade the Orange Panda" by David Walliams

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

This is a funny, heartwarming story about an orange panda who's just a little different from the rest. Marmalade is, well, orange! And that makes him feel like he doesn’t quite belong in the black-and-white panda world...

So, off he goes on an adventure to find someone who looks just like him—only to discover that being unique is way cooler than fitting in!

Themes: 

• Self-Acceptance: Embrace who you are, even if you’re a little different.

• Friendship: It's not about looking the same as others; it’s about kindness and finding your own crowd.

• Individuality: The story celebrates the idea that being unique is something to be proud of.

• Belonging: Marmalade’s journey shows that you don’t have to change to belong. You just need to be yourself.

For the Curious Crew (Ages 5-8):

4. The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

Almost nine-year-old Jack and his eight-year-old sister Annie are supposed to be heading home when they stumble upon a mysterious treehouse in the woods of Pennsylvania just as the sun begins to set.

While Jack is ready to call it a day, Annie’s curiosity gets the better of her. And when she discovers that the treehouse is filled with books, Jack can’t resist following her inside.

In this adventure, they open a book about dinosaurs, and Jack wishes he could see them in real life. To their surprise, his wish comes true! The two siblings are whisked away through time to witness dinosaurs up close. Along the way, they find an intriguing medallion with the letter “M” stamped on it, hinting that someone else has been there before them…

This is the perfect blend of fun and education that’ll get kids interested in history and science with just enough adventure to keep them on their toes. Right up my alley ;)

My kids and I have read it at least once a week since we’ve been gifted this beautiful chapter book for Christmas.

5. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

This is another beautifully illustrated chapter book.

When robot Roz powers up for the first time, she opens her eyes to find herself stranded on a wild, lonely island with no clue how she got there or what her purpose is. All she knows is that she’s gotta survive.

After surviving a crazy storm and a run-in with a very angry bear, Roz realises her best shot at making it is to learn from the island's quirky (and not-so-friendly) animal residents.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home.

This is a story about survival, self-discovery, and friendship.

6. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Being French originally, The Little Prince has always held a special place in my childhood, and I couldn’t resist recommending it for this list.

If you haven't read it yet, it’s a timeless classic that will stay with you and your children long after you’ve turned the last page.

In this heartwarming story, a young prince travels from planet to planet, meeting strange and ridiculous characters. Yet, each of them offers valuable life lessons. But the magic happens when he lands on Earth. There, he encounters a stranded aviator in the Sahara Desert, and through their conversations, the Little Prince shares his adventures and the wisdom he’s gained. 

This beautifully illustrated timeless classic explores themes of love and friendship while taking us on a journey across the universe!

For the Bold Adventurers (Ages 8-12):

7. The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis

This is a sweet and fantastic time-travel adventure story by Karen Inglis. I only finished the book a few days ago and really enjoyed it!

When Stella and her brother Tom move into their new home in London, they’re quickly hooked by a mystery: Harry, their elderly neighbour’s tiny dog, keeps disappearing. And the weird part? He always comes back soaked to the bone. What’s going on?

Determined to crack the case during their summer holidays, the siblings stumble upon a buried boat and a hidden tunnel leading to a secret lake. But the real adventure kicks off when they spot a terrified boy rowing towards them and hear the eerie voices of children on the wind.

Before they know it, Stella and Tom find themselves transported back in time—almost 100 years to the very same house and garden, but a world away from what they know. As they make new friends and face some serious enemies, they begin to uncover some jaw-dropping secrets that tie the past and present together in ways they never expected.

What’s the connection? And can they solve the riddle before time runs out?

A perfect blend of time travel and adventure that will spark your kids' imaginations (and maybe send them digging in the garden!).

8. The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

April is stuck on a tiny Arctic island with her dad, a climate change scientist tasked with monitoring the rapidly changing sea temperatures on Bear Island, deep in the Arctic Circle. She’s grieving the loss of her mother, and her father, buried in his work, feels like a million miles away. 

When they first arrive, April is hopeful; this could be the perfect chance to reconnect with her dad, just the two of them. 

But reality has other plans. Her father’s work keeps him busy, leaving April to explore the island on her own.

Although her dad insists that polar bears no longer live there due to rising sea levels, April stumbles upon a life-changing discovery: the last polar bear!

He’s starving, with something tangled around his paw. Naming him Bear, April begins to care for him, bit by bit, earning his trust and forming a bond that changes them both.

This poignant adventure is a love letter to the magic of nature, the urgent fight for conservation, and the bravery it takes to protect what truly matters. Hannah Gold weaves a heartwarming and inspiring tale that encourages readers (young and old alike) to care for our planet. 

While she makes it clear that this is a work of fiction (because let’s be real, in real life, getting close to a starving polar bear wouldn’t end well!), the story serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on ecosystems and wildlife.

Oh, and I almost forgot the stunning illustrations scattered throughout that make the story even more unforgettable :)

9. Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit

This is an action-packed book that was written in collaboration with National Geographic and is full of science but scattered through in a fun way. 

There’s also a lot of mystery with secret codes and puzzles and as an author who uses puzzles in my own middle-grade books, I can only approve ;)

Here’s what the book is about:Cruz Coronado is invited to join the Explorer Academy, along with 23 other children from all around the world. The academy is no ordinary school; for over a century it has trained aspiring adventurers to become the next generation of explorers to protect the world’s treasures. But when he uncovers a dangerous secret from his mother’s past, Cruz must use his brains and bravery to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

The problem?

Someone doesn’t want him at the academy and it trying their hardest to get him out…

Perfect for kids who dream of adventures, scientific discovery, and love a book about global conspiracies.

For the Fearless Explorers (Ages 12+):

10. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

I love all of Katherine Rundell’s book, with Impossible Creatures and The Explorer being my favourite ones. 

And, in my opinion, Impossible Creatures is one of the best adventure books to read as a family.

Here’s what the book is about: 

Christopher discovers a hidden realm called the Archipelago, where mythical creatures like griffins, unicorns, and sphinxes are real and thriving. There, he meets Mal, a brave girl with a flying coat and a baby griffin, who is on the run from a dangerous killer. Together, they embark on a high-stakes quest to uncover why the Archipelago’s creatures are dying.

As they journey across the magical islands, facing danger, encountering allies, and uncovering ancient secrets, they learn that the world’s survival depends on their courage and determination. 

The story celebrates the wildness of imagination, the fierce power of friendship, and the challenge of finding hope in a broken world.

But while this bok is recommendated for 9+ and you could definitely read this to or with your 10 or 11 year old, I feel like the violence and brutality at times could be upsetting for younger readers. So it might be better suited to children ages 12+.

11. Alone by Megan E. Freeman

Maddie is 12 years old and lives in Colorado. Her plan? A secret sleepover at her grandparents' flat while they’re away. But when her friends back out, she decides to stay anyway.

But what happens the next morning makes no sense...

Maddie wakes up to find everyone in town has disappeared. And when she tries calling her mom, she hears her mom’s personalized ringtone coming from a massive pile of abandoned cell phones in the middle of the street. Spooky, right?

Now, all alone in an empty town, Maddie has to face a survival challenge like no other. It’s just her against the harsh elements, her growing fear, and the overwhelming loneliness. How do you stay strong when there’s no one left?

This heart-pounding survival story will have your kids glued to the pages, rooting for Maddie every step of the way. Oh, and here’s something cool—the whole book is written in verse! 

That means it reads way faster than it looks, even if it seems like a big book.

It’s different, it’s exciting, and you’re in for an absolute wild ride with this book.

12. Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Michael lives a pretty uneventful life in England. But when his parents are made redundant, the family decided to sail across the world on a yacht called the Peggy Sue. 

But as you can imagine, things don’t go as expected. During their journey, a massive storm hits, and Michael and Stella are swept overboard. 

Miraculously, he survives and washes up on an isolated island, believing he's totally alone. But here's the twist - he's not!

Someone is watching him and keeping him alive but who? 

I loved this book because I found it to be (besides the adventure, mystery and unexpected twists) a beautiful exploration of friendship, survival, and understanding across cultural boundaries, which to me as a French person raising a family in Australia is incredibly important.

The illustrations are stunning too so this classic book is a five star from me!

So there you have it—12 amazing adventure books that will have your kids turning pages (and you might even have to sneak a read yourself!). No matter their age, these books are packed with heart, thrills, mystery, danger and important lessons. 

Happy Reading!

if you have other suggestions, please share them in the comment sections for all to see and benefit! Thank you ;)