Best Books for Young Adventurers!

It’s never too early to inspire a love of reading, or a love for adventure ~ & this list of the “Best Books for Young Adventurers” will hopefully inspire both!  My earliest memories of reading are of my beloved Nancy Drew series: she was my IDOL growing up.  Nancy kept me up late at night, with her titian-colored hair, convertible, & adventure-seeking spirit, hopping from one mystery to the next.  I couldn’t get enough!  And now that I have a niece & nephew, it’s fun to re-visit my old, dog-eared copies of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” series, which has us traveling from the ruins of Chichen Itza to the heights of the Himalayas, chasing “Abominable Snowmen!”

Not all adventure books need to have you leaving the country…with Joanna Gaines & her family, you can have an adventure right in your own garden!

Best Books for Young Adventurers!

Best Books for Ages 3-6 (or ALL ages!)

1. “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak: Board a ship & sail across the ocean to meet the “wild things” with Max.  This book, written is 1963, is a classic in children’s literature, & encourages readers of all ages to engage the most important element in any adventure: your imagination.
2. “We are the Gardeners,” by Joanna Gaines: Not all adventures require leaving the country!  Have an adventure right in your own backyard, with Joanna Gaines & her kids giving you extra inspiration to get out & plant stuff ~ with this sweet, beautifully-illustrated book. 
3. “Where’s Waldo: The Travel Collection,” by Martin Hanford : My brother & I used to love these books!  You can travel to ancient Rome & become a gladiator, or even to your local water park ~ ALL you need to do is find the guy in the red-and-white striped shirt!  These are the perfect books to keep kids busy on long road trips.
4. “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!“, by Dr. Seuss: One of my favorite adventure-inspiring books of all time; a true classic.  Frankly, I think both young & old can benefit from reading (or re-reading) this book; it’s filled with SO much positive energy. 

“You’re off to great places!  Today is your day! 

Your mountain is waiting, so….Get on your way!

– Dr. Seuss

Best Books for Young Adventurers!

Best Books for Ages 7-12

1. “The Magic Tree House Series,” by Mary Pope Osborne: I was introduced to this series by my niece & nephew, who both fell in love with these books.  Jack & Annie are a brother/sister adventure duo who have a magic tree house in their back yard, that allows them to visit any place & any time period they want!  Osborne involves animals often in her writing, which makes it especially fun for young readers.  Perfect for Grades 2-5.
2. “The Nancy Drew Mystery Series,” by Carolyn Keene: I recently re-read one of my niece’s books, “The Mystery at Lilac Inn.”  And let’s just say, I finished it in one afternoon ~ just like I did when I was a kid!  I think it would be fair to say that Nancy’s intrepid spirit inspired many a generation of young women, with her willingness to be fearless.  Perfect for Grades 3-6.
3. “Choose Your Own Adventure Series,” by R.A. Montgomery: These books are especially fun to read as a group ~ there is no ONE right answer to the story….you get to try out countless different solutions, which makes it a fun read & keeps you actively involved in the story.  Books take you everywhere from the Himalayas to haunted houses, to under the sea!  Perfect for Grades 4-8.

“If you go in search of the yeti, turn to page 11. If you think it is safest to stay put and call for help, turn to page 25.”

– R.A. Montgomery, “Choose Your Own Adventure”

Best Books for Young Adventurers!

Best Books for Young Adults

1. “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” by E.L. Konigsburg: Have you ever wanted to run away from home & spend the night in a museum??  Who hasn’t, right?!  In this book, a brother & sister run away & run right into a mystery at the Met museum, involving a statue & Michelangelo.  They also need to figure out where to bathe in the museum during their overnight slumber party!?
2. “The Harry Potter Series,” by J.K. Rowling: Though I never got into Harry Potter, pretty much everyone I know is into it ~ including my 8 & 10-year old niece & nephew.  These books are more advanced & filled with a whole new, made-up world of magic & wizardry, & I know many adults who are just as into them as kids are!
3. “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien: The inspiration behind the “Lord of the Rings” movies, “The Hobbit” is young adult/adult adventure fiction at its best.  Unassuming hobbit Bilbo Baggins never travels anywhere ~ until a wizard named Gandalf shows up at his door with a gang of dwarves, ready to carry him off an adventure!  Encounters with frightening creatures & Lonely Mountains await…
4. “A Wrinkle in Time,” by Madeleine L’Engle: This classic is a coming-of-age story, fantasy, & time-travel book all in one ~ about an awkward girl named Meg, who goes in search of her missing father.  Like many of the other books on this list, this one will stimulate the imagination in unusual ways… 

“It was a dark and stormy night….”

– Madeleine L’Engle

Best Books for Young Adventurers!

What are your favorite books for young adventurers & future explorers??  Let’s add to this list & create an epic summer reading list for all those who are young at heart & love adventure! 

xoxo Noelia

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