Children's Adventure Books

Adventure Books for Grades 1-6

Updated February 4, 2026
C
City of Mission Viejo Library
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Jack gets zapped!
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog. On rainy days, Jack loves nothing more than playing video games. But...

AR: 1.7

Lexile: 250

Ahoy!
Blackall, Sophie
Paper Book
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure...all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator.

AR: 1.7

Lexile: 410

Cat ninja
Cody, Matthew
Paper Book
Beware, villains! Cat Ninja may appear to be nothing more than a silly internet meme. But he is evil's greatest enemy, and the silent master of Kat Fu and carpet scratching! From Epic! Originals, Cat Ninja is a hilarious graphic novel series about a lovable cat with a heroic...

AR: 2.9

Lexile: 390

Sydney & Taylor explore the whole wide world
Davies, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Best-selling author Jacqueline Davies tells the story of two unlikely friends: Sydney and Taylor, a skunk and a hedgehog who strike out to discover the great unknown, despite how afraid they are of it. Charming full-color illustrations and a laugh-out-loud story make this chapter book ...

AR: 3.2

Lexile: N/A

Rescue on turtle beach
Marlin, Jen
Audiobook

AR: 4.1

Lexile: N/A

Sir Ladybug
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
From Caldecott Honoree and two-time Geisel Award-winning author-illustrator Corey R. Tabor, this is a fresh and funny young graphic novel series sure to delight readers. Perfect for fans of Catwad, Bird & Squirrel, and Narwhal & Jelly. Ladies and gentlebugs, presenting the...

AR: 2.6

Lexile: N/A

Barb the last Berzerker
Abdo, Dan
Paper Book
The action of Moana meets the humor of books like Dog Man in this sidesplitting graphic novel about a young Berzerker who has to rescue her fellow warriors from the evil villain Witch Head before he destroys the world! Barb is a Berzerker, one of a group of warriors...

AR: 2.5

Lexile: N/A

Elf dog & owl head
Anderson, M. T.
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book "A hilarious, heartfelt triumph."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) From the singular imagination of National Book Award winner M. T. Anderson comes a magical adventure about a boy and his dog--or a dog and her boy--and a forest...

AR: 4.8

Lexile: 660

Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Lapinski, L. D.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of The Train to Impossible Places and Nevermoor, this "utterly delightful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade fantasy follows a young girl who uses a travel agency's magical suitcases to travel to different worlds. When twelve-year...

AR: 5.0

Lexile: 710

Wild river : a novel
Philbrick, W. R.
Paper Book
Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick sends readers rushing down a raging river on a life-or-death adventure when a white water rafting trip goes terribly wrong! Daniel Redmayne is fast asleep on the first night of a white water rafting trip, when he's awoken by screams. The dam has failed. The...

AR: 4.2

Lexile: 630

15 secrets to survival
Richards, Natalie D.
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Natalie D. Richards's middle grade debut about a group of four classmates forced to navigate the wilderness for an extra credit project with nothing but the pages of a survival handbook--and each other--to save them. ...

AR: 4.8

Lexile: 740

Freddie vs. the family curse
Badua, Tracy
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE 2023 SID FLEISCHMAN HUMOR AWARD In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure, a young Filipino-American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse that's haunted their family for generations . . . or be trapped in an amulet forever. ...

AR: 5.3

Lexile: N/A

Juniper's Christmas
Colfer, Eoin
Paper Book
Kirkus Best Book of the Year Kids' Indie Next List Pick New York Times Bestseller Indie Bestseller New York Times Holiday Gift Guide Pick Publisher's Weekly Holiday Gift Guide Pick BookPage Most Anticipated Children's Book Pick

AR: 6.4

Lexile: N/A

96 miles
Esplin, J. L.
Audiobook
For fans of Gary Paulsen's classic Hatchet and Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived series, J. L. Esplin's 96 Miles is a story of survival and desperation as two young brothers confront the worst in humanity--and themselves. Dad always said if things get...

AR: 5.2

Lexile: 760

The last last-day-of-summer
Giles, L. R.
Paper Book
"The Last Last-Day-of-Summer reminds me that all children deserve to exist in magical spaces where their imaginations and familial bonds will them into heroism. Every single child should have the freedom to be one of The Legendary Alstons. And I, for one, am grateful to Giles, and this brilliant...

AR: 5.2

Lexile: 740

Shinji Takahashi and the mark of the coatl
Kagawa, Julie
Paper Book
"One cannot fight destiny, boy. Even if one did not ask for it. The idol calls for you, and you must answer its call..." Shinji Takahashi is just an ordinary kid. An ordinary homeschooled smart-alecky kid being raised by his globe-trotting aunt Yui. But when a magical guardian...

AR: 5.5

Lexile: 760

Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
"Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn't been done before." -Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney's Princess Moana Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part...

AR: 5.2

Lexile: 770

The many assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams
Nayeri, Daniel
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER BEST OF THE YEAR: NPR - Booklist - School Library Journal - Chicago Public Library - Evanston Public Library - Kirkus - Wall Street Journal The Silk Road comes to life in this...

AR: 5.4

Lexile: N/A

The outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Stroud, Jonathan
Paper Book
Action! Humor! Fantasy! "Kicking off a new series with a bang (several bangs, in fact), Stroud sends two young fugitives with murky pasts fleeing murderous pursuers across a fractured future Britain." --Kirkus Reviews, starred Scarlett McCain is a shoot-first ask-questions...

AR: 5.3

Lexile: 700

Mac undercover
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
A thrilling, hilarious fully-illustrated spy adventure series, from the esteemed New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author Mac Barnett!A New York Times bestsellerAn Amazon Best Book of 2018Before Mac Barnett was an author, he was a kid.And while he...

AR: 3.7

Lexile: 460

Dungeon academy : no humans allowed!
Roux, Madeleine
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux and acclaimed artist Tim Probert comes an all-new original Dungeons & Dragons middle grade series! Welcome to Dungeon Academy, where monsters and creatures train for the dark world that awaits just beyond the dungeon walls! But...

AR: 6.5

Lexile: 930

Charlie Thorne and the last equation
Gibbs, Stuart
Paper Book
"Fast-paced, smart, and action-packed...a real page-burner." --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series From New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs comes the first novel in a thrilling new series about the...

AR: 6.1

Lexile: 850

The Princess in Black
Hale, Shannon.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess...

AR: 3.2

Lexile: 500

The Van Gogh deception
Hicks, Deron R.
Paper Book
Dan Brown meets Jason Bourne in this riveting middle-grade mystery thriller. When a young boy is discovered in Washington DC's National Gallery without any recollection of who he is, so begins a high-stakes race to unravel the greatest mystery of all: his identity.    ...

AR 5.4

Lexile: 750

The wandering hour
Clark, Zack Loran
Paper Book
A superb choice for fans of Jonathan Stroud's Lockwood & Co. series, Tom Booth's Eerie-on-Sea books, and creepypastas.' -Booklist, Starred Review. What if your favourite scary story was real? With eerie illustrations and chilling creepypasta interstitials, The Doomsday Archives: The Wandering Hour...

AR: 5.7

Lexile: N/A

City spies
Ponti, James
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! A GMA3 Summer Reading Squad Selection! "Ingeniously plotted, and a grin-inducing delight." --People "Will keep young readers glued to the page...So when do I get the sequel?" --Beth McMullen, author of Mrs. Smith's Spy School...

AR: 5.6

Lexile: 750

The nebula secret
Trueit, Trudi Strain
Paper Book
Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers. Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists...

AR: 4.7

Lexile: 660


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