Book list

Adventure books

What is an adventure? I put books in this list if the action of the story is the result of a deliberate decision to go off and do something. They might be real or they might be imaginary adventures. Books in this list might also appear in the Real Life list or, indeed, any other list.

All books

The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

Dr Dolittle adventures to Africa to cure the monkeys of a terrible illness.

Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy

Arthur and Maudie Brightstorm venture to the most remote corner of the world to clear their explorer father's name. A sky-ship adventure.

Dark Life by Kat Falls

Subsea settler Ty and Topsider Gemma join forces in an underwater adventure to find her lost brother and to track down the outlaw Seablite Gang.

Demon Road by Derek Landy

If Amber's parents can catch her they're going to eat her. That's because they're demons...but so is Amber and she may be just a teeny bit smarter than they are.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

In the beginning we were a group of nine. Three are gone, dead. There are six of us left. They are hunting us, and they won't stop until they've killed us all. I am Number Four. I know that I am next.

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

First World War, Clanker technology versus Darwinist fabricated animal weaponry. Enemies or allies? Friends? Which secrets to keep and which to tell?

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Clary’s mother disappears. Clary is attacked by demons. Why are demons interested in Clary and her mother? How did Clary suddenly get the Sight? How did Clary get mixed up in this otherwordly adventure?

The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant

Boarding school Great Orienteering Challenge offers multiple opportunities to argue, fall out and make friends...work as a team, earn a magnificent Finder’s Fee for a stolen artwork, and save the school from closure.

Tin by Pádraig Kenny

Christopher is a real boy and his friends are mechanicals. But if it turns out that Christopher isn’t actually a real boy after all...what difference does that make?

Contagion by Teri Terry

Missing person hunt bumps into much bigger, sinister, deadly epidemic, end-of-the-world scenario. Seriously disturbing.

The Polar Bear Explorers' Club by Alex Bell

Junior Explorer Stella Starflake Pearl encounters wild, weird and downright dangerous magic in the Icelands.

Beetle Boy by M G Leonard

Darkus tracks down his lost father...with the help of his uncle, friends and a vast beetle army. But he makes a serious enemy out of Lucretia Cutter, beetle collector.

First Class Murder by Robin Stevens

A locked room murder mystery for the Wells and Wong Detective Society on board the Orient Express.

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Callum can’t even flunk magic school. His Dad’s always told him magic is dangerous, and Call is about to find out the truth. (It is).

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Darwinists confront Clanker technology on the eve of the outbreak of the First World War. Can traditional enemies form an alliance and work together to try to avoid all-out war?

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

Courage, resourcefulness and teamwork...yes obviously, required to survive in the Amazon jungle. But also a sense of passing wonder at the beauty of it all.

Shadows by Meaghan McIsaac

Transported three hundred years into the future, Pat can’t get back unless he can break into the high security time cache to steal an ancient gadget.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Oppressed heroine Faith solves fantastical murder mystery in moody Victorian setting.

The Last Wild by Piers Torday

There are wild animals out there to be saved and whatever you think of him, Kester Jaynes really is the man for the job...unless you know

Black Light Express by Philip Reeve

Zen Starling crosses into the void with Nova, the love of his life. Does he live happily ever after, or would he rather come home after all? Interstellar adventure.

Railhead by Philip Reeve

Gorgeous interstellar express trains criss-cross the universe whisking small-time thief Zen Starling off on a little errand. Well, it’s not a big job, but it does have mega consequences.

Wyrmeweald: Returner's Wealth by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Seventeen year old Micah escapes poverty for a life of freedom and adventure out on the great wyrmeweald. He dreams of returning with a great fortune but life changes people. Will he know his fortune when he finds it? And will he still want it?

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

Epic fairytale set in the grim starving forests of Russia. Feo and her wolves set out to rescue her mother from prison.

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Lockwood & Co prove themselves to be the best psychic investigations agency in London...eventually, maybe.

Stung by Joss Stirling

Is there a mole in the Young Detective Agency? Are Kate and Nathan on the same side? And can they find the answers?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Can Katniss survive the appalling Hunger Games and unite the Districts against the Capitol?

Blood Hunters by Steve Voake

Ravening monsters predate mankind. Two boys save the situation.

The Secret of the Black Moon Moth by John Fardell

Archaeology adventure on tropical island with deadly enemy lurking within.

Sharp Shot by Jack Higgins with Justin Richards

Action adventure with the Chance twins and their secret agent father.

Sure Fire by Jack Higgins with Justin Richards

Twins, Jade and Rich Chance, 15, move in with their estranged father, and discover quite quickly that life is never going to be safe and quiet.

Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz

The Old Ones have escaped from their prison and are bringing great evil and destruction to the world. Only the Five can stop them, but the Five are lost and in disarray.

Evil Star by Anthony Horowitz

If Matt really is the first of the five, how can he find the others? And what are they supposed to do? There's a tight deadline here, to save the world.

Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz

Matt is the first of The Five to be found. He has to find the other four. He's in a battle against the Old Ones. It's a race against time. And he doesn't even know it yet.

Barnaby Grimes: Return of the Emerald Skull by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

More adventures with Barnaby Grimes as he runs errands across the city, through the alleys and over the rooftops. But there are dark forces to match himself against.

Barnaby Grimes: Curse of the Night Wolf by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Quick-witted tick-tock boy meets wolf on rooftops. Disposes of same. Solves wicked mystery. Unsung hero.

Monster Blood Tattoo: Lamplighter by D M Cornish

Rossamund, fresh out of the foundlingery, makes his way in a world where monsters roam.

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning by James Patterson

The world needs saving, but humans aren't up to the job...maybe mutant bird kids are?

Takedown by Graham Marks

Time traveller has one week to save the world. Unfortunately , he doesn't have his body with him. So he has to use someone else's...

City of Time by Eoin McNamee

The Harsh are stealing time again and it's up to Owen the Navigator and Cati the Watcher to do what they can...

Tom Fletcher and the Angel of Death by Sarah Matthias

Year 1220, Tom Fletcher, reluctant chief novice at Saint Wilfred's monastery, turns detective and solves horrifying murder mystery.

Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel

The race is on to salvage the ghost ship Hyperion sailing at a dangerously high altitude...Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries back in action.

Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling by D M Cornish

Rossamund, fresh out of the foundlingery, makes his way in a world where monsters roam.

Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson

Six bird kids on the run from the science lab/prison/school where they were created as an experiment. Oh yes, and this time they save the world too...

Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever by James Patterson

Six bird kids on the run from the science lab/prison/school where they were created as an experiment.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Six bird kids on the run from the science lab/prison/school where they were created as an experiment.

The Starlight Conspiracy by Steve Voake

It's magical. Out of this world in fact. And Berry's got it. She can't use it and she can't hide it. So she'll just have to try and give it back...

Sebastian Darke, Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney

Sebastian Darke, Prince of Fools. Not a prince. Not much of a fool. Seeks employment. Finds adventure...and a princess.

Troll Mill by Katherine Langrish

Peer Ulfsson, fighting to find his own place in the world, learns that everything actually has to come second to loyalty and love for friends and family. Plenty of trolls and strong magic.

The Palace of Laughter by Jon Berkeley

Miles Wednesday, orphaned, unwashed and living in a barrel - sneaks into the circus, helps a little someone, gets into a big adventure, and ends up very much happier...

Flash Flood by Chris Ryan

Ben finds himself in dangerous waters when London floods.

Corby Flood by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Corby Flood solves mysteries, mends broken lives, and is loved by everyone, except the five unamusing clowns in bottle green bowler hats...

Cloud World by David Cunningham

Young Prince Marcus inherits the kingdom from his father and then loses it when his airship is sabotaged. Can he make his way back to the Citadel and reclaim what is rightfully his?

Arthur and the Forbidden City by Luc Besson

Arthur goes in search of the Minimoys, and his Grandpa, and the family fortune, all in his own backgarden. But the garden is a big place when you're only three quarters of an inch tall.

Arthur and the Minimoys by Luc Besson

Arthur goes in search of the Minimoys, and his Grandpa, and the family fortune, all in his own backgarden. But the garden is a big place when you're only three quarters of an inch tall.

Hurricane Force by Malcolm Rose

Jake Patmore discovers some uncomfortable truths about scientific research when he delves into the past in search of the real story of his father's untimely death.

Storlax by Robert Jackson and Bubbi Morthens

Swim with the Hofsin as they make the Great Journey from their feeding grounds in the North Atlantic all the way upriver to the Home Pool.

The Secret of the Crocodiles by Karen Wallace

Lady Violet, good at being in the right place at the right time. Edwardian sleuth with modern day attitude.

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider's back! 'The nearest thing the Brits have to a lethal weapon!'

Glint by Ann Coburn

Ellie has to be brave to search for her missing brother, so she does what Argent would do, their favourite fantasy character from childhood games.... Two stories in one.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember is built to last, but the once bulging store rooms are empty now. What will the people do to help themselves?

Boy Soldier by Andy McNab and Robert Rigby

Danny gets his military training the hard way - on the run with his ex-SAS grandfather.

Epic by Conor Kostick

In Erik's world, if you want to challenge authority, you do it in a computer game. So that's what Erik does...

The Lastling by Philip Gross

A yeti hunt, but who wants to catch it and who wants to save it?

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea

Pidge and Bridget set out to save the world from destruction, with all the hounds of the evil Morrigan on their trail.

The Scarecrow and his Servant by Philip Pullman

A scarecrow needs a servant if he's really going to get out and see a bit of the world.

Not the End of the World by Geraldine McCaughrean

Noah's Ark - what it was really like on board.

Alpha Force 6: Hunted by Chris Ryan

Alpha Force team come up against a team of ruthless poachers in Zambia.

Troll Fell by Katherine Langrish

Down, but not out, Peer Ulfsson survives his ghastly uncles, cold, hunger and loneliness, only to face the Troll King. He could save himself, but goes back for his friend...

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Reluctant teenage spy, Alex Rider, meets arch-villain, Herod Sayle.

Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Arthur's come by a key, by mistake. But now he's got it, he might as well have a go with it. It belongs to the House. A very magical place.

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airships, hot-air balloons, pirates, desert islands, cloud cats, adventure and romance...

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Evil times bring forth great leaders, but Eragon never expected to be a great leader. Nobody can plan to be a Dragon Rider. It just happens...

Underworld by Catherine MacPhail

Work as a team with your own worst enemy? Would you? Could you? If your life depended on it?

A Kind of Wild Justice by Bernard Ashley

Ronnie's on his own. He lives in a kind of No Man's Land of fear and bewilderment.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Lirael finds there is a task that needs to be done. It needs to be done by anAbhorsen, and only she can do it.

The House of Windjammer by V A Richardson

Seventeenth century Dutch trading family face ruin - unless Adam can take up the burden of leadership.

The Fire-Eaters by David Almond

Another beautiful hymn to humanity from David Almond.

Predator's Gold by Philip Reeve

Compelling sequel to Mortal Engines. Love, jealousy, betrayal, anger, loyalty and bravery. Brilliant!

Yoss by Odo Hirsch

Yoss leaves his remote mountain village and goes off in search of adventure in the world outside. But he has a lot to learn about human nature.

The Smugglers by Iain Lawrence

The pretty little Dragon harbours many secrets . . .

The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence

Surviving the shipwreck but still at the mercy of the wreckers in the village, John Spencer must rescue his father who is being held captive somewhere.

Lirael by Garth Nix

'Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?' Lirael's destiny is not what she wanted, or expected.

The Chosen One by Mark Robson

Can the evil Selkor make himself the Chosen One simply by stealing the Keys of Power, or will the Keys choose for themselves?

Viaduct Child by Patrick Wood

Dushma is unregistered, and so she is an outlaw, seeking refuge in the tunnels underneath London.

First Sword by Mark Robson

Part of the Darkweaver Legacy series. Powerful mixture of fantasy magic and mortal combat.

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Loyalty and treachery among warring Japanese clans.

Death and the Arrow by Chris Priestley

Gruesome murder in eighteenth century London needs investigation.

Exodus by Julie Bertagna

Desperate refugees from the last flooded places on earth are locked out of the New World Cities that tower above the ocean on massive stilts.

The Last Wolf by Michael Morpurgo

Boy and wolf, befriended, escape the murderous English redcoats after the Jacobite Rebellion.

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

Exotic adventure deep in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest.

The Last of the Sky Pirates by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Lowly, insignificant under-librarian dreams of becoming great Librarian Knight . . .

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Sabriel must cross into Death to find her father. She can do it with the protection of Charter Magic and the tools of the necromancer, but it is dangerous . . .

Otto and the Flying Twins by Charlotte Haptie

In the beautiful City of Trees, in the divided world of magicos and normals,Otto learns, to his surprise, that he might actually belong to the other side. . .

Firewing by Kenneth Oppel

Adventures in the Underworld. Superhero bats, unlikely hero bats, deadly enemy bats. Fluffy beasties, human emotions.

The Grave by James Heneghan

He didn't intend to stumble into the great Irish potato famine of 1847, butTom can help the Monaghan family survive. What the Monaghan family can do for him, though, is far more precious . . .

The Malifex by Steve Alton

Merlin lies under a stone enchanted, waiting for another great hero to rise up and fight the powers of darkness with him. But when he awakes from the enchantment, it isn't Merlin at all, just Merlin's apprentice, and nor is there a great hero to fight the powers of darkness - just Sam, and his friend Charly.

Dimanche Diller by Henrietta Branford

Orphaned heiress Dimanche is in deadly danger from her evil guardian. Who can save her? Well, Polly Pugh, her super-nanny will help.

Toro! Toro! by Michael Morpurgo

Antonio and his little bull calf caught up in the dreadful events of the Spanish Civil War.

When Marnie Was There by Joan G Robinson

Is Marnie an imaginary friend? Or is she real? Perhaps it doesn't really matter. Anna and Marnie share a wonderful friendship, but when Marnie has to leave, Anna finds she is better able to make new friends . . .

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

It's a town eat town world. The great traction city of London is prowling round the Great Hunting Ground looking for prey. But, if London hopes to use re-created weapons of mass destruction in its bid for superiority, then London must expect to have enemies - Tom, Third Class Apprentice of the Guild of Historians, and the dreadfully disfigured Hester Shaw, for a start . . .

The Angel Factory by Terence Blacker

Normal young boy finds he is surrounded by aliens intent on saving mankind from its own worst excesses. But is the cure worse than the disease?

Fly, Cherokee, Fly by Chris d'Lacey

Darryl finds an injured racing pigeon hiding under a bush in the local park, and takes it home. As he cherishes the damaged bird, he learns a lot about life, bullies, pigeon fanciers and pigeons.

The Two Towers by J R R Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring is broken and the nine companions scatter. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas follow the trail of Merry and Pippin, who are carried off by orcs, and they play their part in the battle against the Dark Shadow. Meanwhile Frodo and Sam must find a way into Mordor . . .

Remembrance by Theresa Breslin

A love story and a horror story, beautifully told, about life and death during the Great War.

Futuretrack 5 by Robert Westall

It's bound to stir things up if you fight your way to a position of power in a computer-controlled world, and then develop a social conscience . . .

Feather Boy by Nicky Singer

Bully victim learns that courage in one particular matter can have a big effect on other difficult relationships in life.

The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson

Tilja and Tahl set out, with their grandparents and a bad-tempered horse, on a great quest to find the mysterious magician who alone has the power to renew the magic barrier which surrounds their valley and keeps the occupants safe from attack by invading armies.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien

Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged a Ring of Power, by which he could enslave all the free peoples of the world. Read how the Ring came to be lost and found again, and fell into the unlikely hands of Frodo Baggins, hobbit of the Shire. What will he do with it?

Deathscent by Robin Jarvis

Brindle is a space traveller marooned in Elizabethan England. But if you think something is a little adrift with Elizabethan England, just wait until you know Brindle better . . .

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

It's easy to be carried away by a good book! Bastian Balthazar Bux is drawn into the amazing world of Fantastica, and finds it hard to escape.

The Curse of the Gloamglozer by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Times are difficult in the ancient and learned sky city of Sanctaphrax. But when Maris and Quint join forces to help her father with his important research, they unwittingly unleash the ancient curse of the gloamglozer . . .

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

Haoyou rides his magnificent kite into the skies for the travelling JadeCircus.

Slaves of the Mastery by William Nicholson

The Manth people are overwhelmed by the forces of the Mastery and enslaved. Only Kestrel Hath is left behind, and she vows revenge.

The Forging of the Sword by Mark Robson

Calvyn puts all his knowledge of magic into the forging of a powerful sword which he wields in a mighty battle of good against evil.

The Beguilers by Kate Thompson

Rilka sets out on a quest to catch a beguiler and to understand its nature. And in doing so she learns a lot about her own nature too.

The Wreck of the Zanzibar by Michael Morpurgo

Every day is a struggle for survival on the tiny island of Bryher in the Scilly Isles, but storms and wrecks can bring bounty as well as hardship.

Cart and Cwidder by Diana Wynne Jones

In a divided kingdom Clennen the Singer travels from village to village carrying news. But when he agrees to take a passenger up to the north things begin to go wrong.

Milo's Wolves by Jenny Nimmo

Laura doesn't believe that Gwendal is her long-lost brother. But what else could he be? He seems to have enemies, but he seems to have powerful friends too . . .

Walkabout by James Vance Marshall

Stranded in the Australian desert after a plane crash, Mary and Peter go on a reluctant walkabout with an Aboriginal boy.

The Leap by Jonathan Stroud

Charlie has lost her best friend Max. He drowned at the mill pond. Or was he bewitched? And can she really fetch him back?

Jack Holborn by Leon Garfield

Jack Holborn stows away aboard the Charming Molly and falls into the hands of a pirate crew.

Music on the Bamboo Radio by Martin Booth

Hiding out with Chinese friends for the duration of the war after Hong Kong surrenders to the Japanese Army, Nicholas Holford becomes useful both to the Chinese Communist guerrillas and the British Army, who are working together against the Japanese.

The Eclipse of the Century by Jan Mark

Keith dreams about a strange place, Quantoum. But when he seeks out the place and visits, his dream becomes a nightmare.

Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones

David meant to say the curse, but he never expected it to work! Now he's got a rather strange kind of friend who doesn't live by the same rules as everyone else . . .

Stig of the Dump by Clive King

Stig is a caveman and he lives in a den at the bottom of the old quarry. He's Barney's secret friend. But where does Stig really come from?

I Am David by Anne Holm

Escaping from a concentration camp, David learns to live life as he tramps across Europe.

Holes by Louis Sachar

How Stanley Yelnats manages to redeem the curse which has dogged the fortunes of his family for four generations.

The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier

The silver sword, a little paper-knife, is a symbol of hope to four children as they make their way across the wastes of post-war Europe from Warsaw to Switzerland in search of their parents.

The Machine-Gunners by Robert Westall

Children capture a German machine-gun, but their dream of defending their fortress against the German invasion turns into a nightmare.

The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins, timid hobbit of The Shire, finds that he can indeed bring about the prophecies of the old songs, as he riddles with Smaug the Great Worm in the halls of the old King Under the Mountain.

The Coral Island by R M Ballantyne

What a dream! Boys' adventures on a shipwrecked island, complete with cannibals and pirates.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Classic tale of treasure and treachery as Jim Hawkins sets sail in the Hispaniola. But what use is a treasure map and an honest heart if your adversary is the cunning Long John Silver?

Peter Duck by Arthur Ransome

Two schooners race across the Atlantic in search of buried treasure. Can the children from the Wild Cat beat Black Jake to it?

Undercurrents by June Oldham

The receding water level in the reservoir reveals a submerged village. But long-submerged emotions also reappear . . .

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Michael is washed up onto a lonely desert island, only to find it is already occupied . . .

Raider by Susan Gates

Working together on a school project, Maddy and Flora discover the truth about a forty-year-old lie, and some truths about each other.

Humanzee by Susan Gates

Chingwe, the Missing Link, (maybe), rescued from a freak show, becomes an object of interest to scientists and fundamental Christians. Both sides feel they have a point to make. But Nemo, flea handler extraordinaire at his parent's flea circus, just wants Chingwe to enjoy a quiet old age . . .

The Sighting by Jan Mark

A family bust-up fifty years ago. What was it all about? Did uncle Tom really see aliens at the bottom of the garden?