10+ Best Adventure Books for 9-12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape for your young reader? Dive into our latest blog post where we explore the thrilling world of adventure books for 9-12-year-olds. From page-turning journeys to tales that spark the imagination, we've rounded up a variety of captivating reads that are sure to keep your kids hooked. Keep reading to discover our top picks for adventure books that promise to turn even the most reluctant readers into avid bookworms!

Fun Adventure Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four gifted kids are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with puzzles and mysteries that keep the pages turning. This book fosters teamwork, intelligence, and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and puzzle lovers who enjoy quirky characters and brain-teasing adventures.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines Greek mythology with modern adventure, making ancient stories accessible and exciting. It's great for improving reading engagement with fast-paced action and humorous dialogue.
  • Perfect for: Fans of fantasy and mythology, or anyone who enjoys a good hero's journey.

• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
  • Genre(s): Survival, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After a plane crash, 13-year-old Brian Robeson must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness with only his hatchet—a gift from his mother.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping survival story that teaches resilience and resourcefulness. The detailed depiction of wilderness survival skills can inspire confidence in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous souls who love nature and tales of survival against the odds.

• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Dystopian
  • Synopsis: In an underground city with a failing power supply, two children discover clues that could lead the city's inhabitants back to the surface.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to dystopian themes in a way that's accessible and thought-provoking. It encourages critical thinking about the world and our resources.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy mysteries and stories about futuristic societies.

• Wildwood by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Prue McKeel's life changes when her baby brother is abducted by crows and taken into the Impassable Wilderness, a dense forest on the edge of Portland. As she ventures into it, she uncovers a secret world.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is rich in imagination and detail, offering a complex world filled with adventure and magic. It's great for fostering creativity and the joy of exploring new worlds.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love elaborate fantasy worlds and epic journeys.

Educational Adventure Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• The Explorer by Katherine Rundell
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Survival
  • Synopsis: After a plane crash, four children are stranded in the Amazon jungle. Together, they must find a way to survive and uncover the secrets of the jungle, including a mysterious map that could lead them to a hidden city.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, problem-solving, knowledge about the Amazon rainforest and survival skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that also educates about the environment and the importance of cooperation and courage.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers and nature enthusiasts who dream of adventure and discovery.

• The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Feo's life is extraordinary: her mother is a wolf wilder, and Feo is being raised among wolves. When a cruel general threatens her family, Feo finds herself on a dangerous journey across Russia to save her mother.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Russian history, resilience, bravery, and the bond between humans and animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book combines historical context with a tale of adventure and loyalty, offering a unique perspective on strength and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love historical settings and stories of fierce loyalty and bravery.

• Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: Wilhelmina Silver's world is upended when she is sent from her beloved wild African farm to a boarding school in London. She must use her resilience and vivacity to navigate this new life and prove herself in a strange world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural adaptation, resilience, self-confidence, and understanding of different lifestyles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story of a girl's struggle to fit into a new environment without losing her spirited nature.
  • Perfect for: Kids facing transitions or who enjoy stories about overcoming challenges with courage and cheerfulness.

• The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Will Everett is on a maiden voyage across the country on the Boundless, the longest and most luxurious train ever built. During his journey, he encounters danger, adventure, and a magical traveling circus.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical context of the railway expansion in Canada, imagination, and adventure storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends real historical elements with fantasy, creating a thrilling and engaging adventure that captures the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love trains, history, and magical adventures.

• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
  • Genre(s): Horror, Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Irish orphans Molly and Kip travel to England to work as servants in a crumbling manor house where they uncover that the house and its family are cursed by a malevolent force that preys upon the greed of its inhabitants.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral lessons on greed and consequences, bravery, and historical insights into Victorian England.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a spooky read that combines suspense with a deep moral message, perfect for those who enjoy a good fright and a compelling story.
  • Perfect for: Fans of spooky stories and moral lessons woven into thrilling narratives.

Challenging Adventure Books for 9-12-Year-Olds

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Lyra Belacqua embarks on a perilous journey to the Arctic, navigating a world filled with daemons, witches, and armored bears, to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a sinister plot.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes such as freedom and predestination, blending them with advanced vocabulary and intricate world-building.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a richly imagined world that challenges the reader's thinking and encourages questioning of deeper philosophical issues.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy dense, thought-provoking fantasy and are ready to tackle more mature themes.

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: After the murder of his family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is sophisticated, involving non-linear storytelling and a blend of various literary allusions and themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating read that combines elements of horror, fantasy, and suspense with a coming-of-age story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate spooky stories with a heart and lessons about growth and bravery.

• Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Steampunk
  • Synopsis: Set in an alternate history where airships rule the skies, a cabin boy on a luxury airship stumbles upon a mysterious and endangered creature, leading him into a daring adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features richly detailed settings and scientific concepts mixed with advanced vocabulary and complex character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is perfect for fueling imagination with its detailed world-building and thrilling plot.
  • Perfect for: Adventurers and dreamers who love stories of exploration and fantastical creatures.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: In 1930s Paris, an orphan boy living in the walls of a train station becomes wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel's unique integration of text and intricate illustrations challenges traditional narrative forms and requires the reader to engage visually and textually.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning book that combines magic, history, and mystery to create a captivating story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are visual learners and those interested in history and machinery.

• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: September, a young girl from Omaha, is spirited away to Fairyland where she encounters witches, dragons, and other fantastical creatures on her quest.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses lyrical language and complex narrative techniques, including metafictional elements and rich poetic language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and resilience through its whimsical yet profound storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love stories with strong female protagonists and a rich tapestry of magical realism.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of adventure books, you're in for a thrilling ride. To make the most of your reading experience, especially for those aged 9-12, developing good reading habits is key. Here are some fun and effective exercises to help you along the way:

• Set a Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of books to read each month.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Start with a manageable goal and increase it gradually as you become a more confident reader.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus by associating the space with reading time.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s quiet, comfortable, and has good lighting.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Start a book club with a few friends who enjoy adventure stories.
  • How it helps: Provides motivation to read and a platform to share ideas and insights.
  • Tips: Meet regularly to discuss each book and make sure everyone gets a turn to pick the book.

• Map the Adventure
  • What it is: Create a map or a timeline of the main events as you read.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the plot and helps in retaining the story better.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to mark significant events and characters.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Before reading a chapter, try to predict what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Engages analytical thinking and makes reading more interactive.
  • Tips: Write your predictions down and check how many of them were right as you read.

• Character Journal
  • What it is: Keep a journal from the perspective of one of the characters.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the character’s motivations and emotions.
  • Tips: Choose a different character for each book to expand your creative thinking.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enhance your enjoyment of adventure books but also develop skills that are beneficial both in and out of the literary world. So, grab your books, pick an exercise, and embark on your reading adventure!