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

Are you on the hunt for a thrilling reading experience that puts you in the driver's seat? Choose Your Own Adventure books for 12-year-olds are the perfect pick for young readers who love to control the story's outcome. These interactive books not only boost decision-making skills but also make reading a dynamic adventure. Curious to discover the best titles? Keep reading to explore our handpicked lists of Choose Your Own Adventure books tailored just for 12-year-olds!

Fun Choose Your Own Adventure Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Journey Under the Sea by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Sittisan Sundaravej
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Dive into an underwater adventure where you explore the mysteries of Atlantis. Decide your path as you encounter sea creatures and hidden treasures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination and encourages decision-making skills, as readers navigate through the challenges of the deep sea.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love sea stories and exploring mythical worlds.

• The Abominable Snowman by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Laurence Peguy
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Journey to the Himalayas in search of the legendary Abominable Snowman. Each choice could lead to great discoveries or dire consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances problem-solving skills and boosts confidence in making choices, all within a thrilling and mysterious context.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy thrilling expeditions and unraveling mysteries.

• Space and Beyond by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by V. Pornkerd
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Born on a spaceship, you must choose where to go next among the stars. Your decisions will determine the future of a galaxy far, far away.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages strategic thinking and imagination, offering a cosmic playground where choices really do shape the universe.
  • Perfect for: Sci-fi enthusiasts and young dreamers fascinated by space exploration.

• House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Sittisan Sundaravej
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery, Horror
  • Synopsis: Discover a strange house with dark secrets. Navigate through the eerie corridors and uncover the truth behind the mysterious happenings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling ride that enhances reading skills and builds tension-handling abilities in a safe environment.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love a good scare mixed with the challenge of solving a mystery.

• Lost on the Amazon by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Laurence Peguy
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Survival
  • Synopsis: Find yourself lost in the Amazon rainforest. Survival depends on your choices, from navigating rivers to interacting with local wildlife.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes critical thinking and resilience as readers face the challenges of survival in an exotic locale.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and young survivalists eager to test their decision-making skills in wild scenarios.

Educational Choose Your Own Adventure Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Your Grandparents Are Spies by Anson Montgomery, illustrated by Keith Newton
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Discover that your seemingly ordinary grandparents are actually retired spies. Follow them on a mission and choose how to handle dangerous situations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, problem-solving, history of espionage
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines family bonds with exciting spy adventures, making it a thrilling yet relatable read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love spy stories and mysteries, and those curious about history and espionage.

• Race Forever by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Sittisan Sundaravej
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Sports
  • Synopsis: Engage in an intense off-road race through Africa. Make split-second decisions to navigate through dangerous terrains and harsh conditions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, geographical knowledge, understanding of vehicle mechanics
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping adventure that also educates about different cultures and environments.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young racers and adventure seekers who thrive on high-speed challenges and learning about new places.

• Mystery of the Maya by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Marco Cannella
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Historical
  • Synopsis: Get caught in a time warp that sends you back to the ancient Maya civilization. Choose paths that will either help you return to the present or leave you stranded in the past.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, cultural appreciation, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an educational journey through time that offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Maya.
  • Perfect for: History buffs and adventurers who enjoy time travel and exploring ancient civilizations.

• Escape by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Jason Millet
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: You're a prisoner on the planet Rayla-215, and you must decide whether to attempt a daring escape or wait for rescue. Choose wisely to survive.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Strategic thinking, understanding of alien cultures, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges readers to think critically and make tough decisions in a high-stakes, sci-fi setting.
  • Perfect for: Sci-fi fans and young strategists who like to explore alien worlds and tackle survival scenarios.

• The Magic of the Unicorn by Deborah Lerme Goodman, illustrated by Mariano Trod
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Quest for the magical unicorn that can purify water for your village. Navigate through mystical forests and ancient ruins to find the mythical creature.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mythological knowledge, environmental awareness, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It weaves environmental themes with enchanting fantasy elements, teaching about ecology in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Fantasy lovers and young environmentalists interested in mythical creatures and nature conservation.

Challenging Choose Your Own Adventure Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Forbidden Castle by Edward Packard, illustrated by Paul Granger
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: You discover an ancient book that transports you to a mysterious castle. Each decision can lead to treasure or trap you in time.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves complex puzzles and riddles that require logical thinking and keen problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a mind-bending adventure that enhances critical thinking and engages readers with its intricate plot twists.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle solvers and mystery enthusiasts who enjoy a cerebral challenge.

• War with the Evil Power Master by R.A. Montgomery, illustrated by Jason Millet
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Join forces with the Lacoonian System Rapid Force to battle the Evil Power Master who threatens the universe. Your choices determine the fate of planets.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of war, diplomacy, and strategy, demanding high engagement and decision-making skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a galactic adventure with real stakes, teaching responsibility and the impact of choices.
  • Perfect for: Sci-fi fans and young leaders who are interested in stories of conflict and resolution on a cosmic scale.

• Inside UFO 54-40 by Edward Packard, illustrated by Paul Granger
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Abducted by a UFO, you find yourself aboard an alien spacecraft. Navigating through the ship, your choices will either lead to your escape or deeper into the cosmos.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts and alien technologies that challenge conventional thinking and creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands the imagination with unique sci-fi scenarios and encourages out-of-the-box thinking.
  • Perfect for: Readers who delight in science fiction and adventures that push the boundaries of traditional narratives.

• Survival at Sea by Edward Packard, illustrated by Paul Granger
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Survival
  • Synopsis: Stranded in the ocean after a plane crash, you must survive with limited resources. Your survival depends on your choices, from navigating storms to finding food.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents realistic survival scenarios that require careful planning and knowledge of marine environments.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and practical survival skills in an engaging, high-stakes setting.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and survival enthusiasts who enjoy testing their skills against nature’s challenges.

• The Mystery of Chimney Rock by Edward Packard, illustrated by Paul Granger
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sent to explore the eerie Chimney Rock, you encounter strange inhabitants and hidden secrets. Choose wisely to uncover the truth or risk getting lost forever.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex narrative layers and a variety of endings that depend on subtle clues and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping tale that sharpens deductive reasoning and enhances engagement through its mysterious storyline.
  • Perfect for: Mystery lovers and critical thinkers who relish solving puzzles and uncovering secrets.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the exciting world of Choose Your Own Adventure books, you're in for a treat. Not only are these books super fun, but they also offer great opportunities to develop strong reading habits. Here are some exercises specifically designed for 12-year-olds to enhance their reading experience:

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how many books or pages to read each week.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and goal-setting skills.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Map the Story Choices
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the different paths the story could take.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in understanding the structure of complex stories.
  • Tips: Use colored pens or pencils to differentiate between different story paths.

• Discuss Your Adventures
  • What it is: Talk about the different outcomes of your adventures with friends or family.
  • How it helps: Improves communication skills and deepens understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Try to explain why you made certain choices and ask others what they would have done differently.

• Re-read to Explore Alternatives
  • What it is: Go back and choose different paths in the book after your first read.
  • How it helps: Develops a deeper understanding of the consequences of choices.
  • Tips: Keep track of the choices you made initially and choose differently the second time.

• Write Your Own Adventure
  • What it is: Try writing a short Choose Your Own Adventure story.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Start with a simple scenario and two choices, then expand from there.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, not only will you have a blast exploring different adventures, but you'll also build lasting reading habits. So, grab your book, pick a cozy corner, and start your adventure—remember, the choices are all yours!