Are you craving for adventure? Take a trip out of the mundane and ordinary, because these stories are anything but!
Often featuring a hero on a quest, taking them through extreme situations (almost always life-threatening!), and written with a focus on action, adventure stories are the kind of stories that keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish the book. These type of stories can also spawn across genres and settings like fantasy, historical fiction, crime thrillers, and more.
So, if you are ready for some action, it’s time to grab a comfortable chair and binge through these exciting reads!
Parental warning: While these books are classified as children’s books, many have mention of dangerous acts, violence, and crimes. Parental supervision and/or discussion with your child after reading the books is recommended.
1. Escape from Shadow Island (Paul Adam)
Max is a genius escapologist, but his biggest problem now isn’t about escaping – it is finding out the truth about his parents. His mother is serving a life sentence for the alleged murder of his vanished father, but Max believes there is more to it than meets the eye. So, on he goes, from London to the infamous Shadow Island, in his pursuit for truth.
Quick-paced and suspenseful, Escape from Shadow Island is one of those books you can’t put down until you’ve finished reading it. The refreshing characters and touches of humour make this an all-round exciting read for anyone seeking an adventure! (P.S. If you enjoy this, check out the other books in the Max Cassidy series!)
Suitable for: Age 9 to 12 years
2. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Joan Aiken)
In a time when King James III reigned, wolves roamed freely in the country, striking fear into the people. But orphans Bonnie and Sylvia have no choice – they need to escape the evil governess Miss Slighcarp, who has turned their lives upside-down ever since they have been sent under her care. Thankfully, gooseboy Simon is on their side, and the girls do their best to escape – and survive.
This historical fiction story glows with an old-fashioned flavour that’s almost Dickensian in style. Dated language aside, the story is gripping and abundant with adventure, giving readers a satisfying read about good triumphing over evil.
Suitable for: Age 10 to 14 years
3. The Midnight Fox (Betsy Byars)
Tom is dreading going to his Aunt Millie’s farm for summer. He isn’t much of a farm or animal type of guy – and who knows what those creatures could do to him? But witnessing the majestic beauty of the black fox at night time changes his mind. Immediately, he is enthralled by the creature and its little cubs. However, his Uncle Fred is a hunter, and next on his list of targets are the foxes.
More than an adventure story, The Midnight Fox charts Tom’s growth as he discovers something he wants to protect. This poignant story will appeal to animal lovers and raise questions about the ethics of animal hunting.
Suitable for: Age 8 to 12 years
4. The Whipping Boy (Sid Fleischmann)
As the law would have it, no one is allowed to lay a finger on Prince Brat, no matter how badly he misbehaves. Instead, Jemmy the whipping boy would be whipped on the prince’s behalf. It’s no surprise that Jemmy and Brat are not fond of each other at all, but when a turn of events find the boys taken hostage, they need to rely on each other in order to escape.
Taking the classic trope of rich boy and poor boy, The Whipping Boy has made it an action-packed and suspense-filled story. Readers will have fun with the comical situations found in the almost fairytale-like writing, all while taking home serious lessons about identity, humility, and comradeship.
Suitable for: Age 8 to 12 years
5. Hatchet (Gary Paulsen)
When thirteen-year-old Brian boarded the plane on his way to visit his estranged father after his parents’ divorce, he did not imagine he would end up crash landing into the wilderness of Canada. Stranded alone with all but a windbreaker and a hatchet from his mother, Brian fights to survive through hunger, the cold, and even a tornado.
A wild and gripping adventure story of survival, Hatchet has become a contemporary classic in the genre of plane crash survival stories. Yet, it is also undeniably poignant as we see Brian grow, transform, and heal throughout his ordeal.
Suitable for: Age 10 to 14
6. Count Karlstein (Philip Pullman)
Every All Souls’ Eve, Zamiel the Demon Huntsman comes out to the village of Karlstein to choose his next victim. But this time, Count Karlstein has made an agreement with Zamiel, and it involves putting the lives of his two nieces, Lucy and Charlotte, at grave risk. Overhearing this plan, Hildi, the castle maidservant, and her brother Peter set out to do all they can to protect the girls from their perilous end.
Written in a similar vein as classic works Dracula and Frankenstein, this spooky Gothic tale balances out the creep factor with equal parts humour, keeping the story very accessible for children.
Suitable for: Age 8 to 10 years (Warning: Elements of spookiness)
Bonus reads:
- The Wild Robot (Peter Brown)
- The Secret Keepers (Trenton Lee Stewart)
- The Inquisitor’s Tale (Adam Gidwitz)
- Serafina and the Black Cloak (Robert Beatty)
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (Chris Grabenstein)
- The Shark Caller (Zillah Bethell)
- Rooftoppers (Katherine Rundell)
- Some Kind of Courage (Dan Gemeinhart)
- Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O’Dell)
- The Door to the Lost (Jaleigh Johnson)
- Molly Pepper and the Night Train (Courtney King Walker)
Conclusion
This is a genre so vast and varied, you can’t get tired of it! Adventure stories are also useful models for teaching students how to write – especially in narrating actions, and using the ‘show, not tell’ device.
But if writing is what you need help with, there’s more you can do! Joining our Primary School English Tuition provides you with access to expert tutor guidance, personal feedback, and thematic practices to hone your skills. From building a strong language foundation to writing better compositions, our small group tuition class is geared to help you excel.
Meanwhile, don’t miss our other book recommendations:
Escape Into Fantasy With These 7 Books For Young Readers
7 Meaningful Stories About Family For Primary School Readers