Image: Momjunction Design Team
Adventure books may pique the interest of even the most disinterested of teenagers. There is no better way to instill a love of reading in your youngster than with an adventure book. The best adventure books for teens inspire them to believe in themselves and chase their dreams and aspirations. They also improve their literary proficiency and introduce teens to many new things that they might not be familiar with, broadening their mindset.
Adrienne Chinn, a bestselling Canadian novelist and poet and the reviewer of this article, says, “Adventure stories are great for engaging teens’ imagination in ways that online games can’t. All of these books will open windows of creative thought in your teen’s mind.”
So, go ahead and add some of these time-tested and best-selling books to your cart and gift them to your child.
Top Picks
10 Best Adventure Books For Teens To Read And Get Inspired, 2024
1. Best Overall: Golden Son
While the entire series of the “Golden Son” is fantastic, we particularly loved Book II. The book continues the saga of Darrow’s quest for equality, revenge and redemption. The book has a perfect juxtaposition of high-tech and primitive, a game of truth that is mediated by lie-detecting scorpions, feuds fought with complex weaponry and an antiquated class system. Your teen will read the book cover to cover with sheer enthusiasm to explore more about this thrilling quest. Click on the book assessment cum review video to learn more about the book.
Price: $9.72
Did you know?2. Best Entertainment: The Maze Runner
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can recall is his name. He then comes across a group of boys who have also lost their memories. The boys welcome Thomas to Glade. But there is one problem – outside the walls surrounding the Glade is an ever-changing and endless maze. But no one has ever made it through it alive. The moment Thomas is about to step inside the maze, a girl arrives and delivers the message. The message she delivers is terrifying. What could the message be? Your teen has to read the time-tested book to find out!
Price: $6.35
Quick tip3. Best Inspiring: A Night Divided
“A Night Divided” is a thrilling adventurous book about Gerta, who finds her family divided east and west of the Berlin Wall. Her mother and brother live on the eastern side controlled by the Soviets, and her father and middle brother are stuck in a tunnel beneath the wall. If they get caught, the consequences will be deadly. Gerta’s father sends her a message to dig a tunnel to the west. It’s very dangerous, but nothing can curb Greta’s determination. Picking this book will help you uncover how she will overcome the challenging obstacles in order to fulfil her courageous deeds. Here’s a book assessment cum review video that will tell you more about this best-selling book.
Price: $9.70
Did you know?4. Best Superhero-Themed: Batman: Earth One
Batman is not a hero. He is just a human who is vulnerable, fallible and angry. “Batman: Earth One, Volume 1” goes all the way back to the beginning of the Batman saga, re-entering the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents and young Bruce Wayne’s development into Batman.
The story is familiar, but the brilliance lies in the details. For example, how, despite being in the mayoral race, Bruce’s father makes time to take Bruce and his mother to the movies. Or, when the light goes out in the cinema hall, Bruce dashes into the alley, followed by his parents. This review video can tell you more about the book’s plot and the author’s literary expertise.
Price: $9.22
5. Best Realistic: The Rig
“The Rig” by Joe Ducie is an excellent action-adventure storybook about Drake, a 15-year-old boy who makes a career from breaking out of prisons. His talents land him in a juvenile detention center in the middle of the Arctic Circle. But Drake is determined to escape, even more after discovering the secret of the Rig. We loved how Joe Ducie wove in the sci-fi elements with a realistic story of reincarnated children caught in a world where no one can be trusted. Get on this journey of exploration and discovery with Drake to know all about his adventures.
Price: $12.51
6. Best Mystery: Variant
“Variant” is about Benson Fisher, a young boy who thinks that a scholarship to the Maxfield Academy will be his ticket to get out of his dead-end life. But he’s wrong. He’s now trapped in a school where cameras monitor every move, children are split into groups and breaking rules is equivalent to death. When Benson learns about the real secret of the school, he realizes that playing with the rules might presage a fate worse than death. Escape is his only hope for survival, but is it even possible? This is the right book for your teen to experience the thrill of mystery and suspense.
Price: $10
7. Best Adventurous: The Chess Queen Enigma: A Stoker & Holmes Novel
In the third installment of the Stoker and Holmes series, Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoke, the two main characters of the book, act as undercover bodyguards for Princess Lurelia of Betrovia, who comes to London to deliver the details of the location of a chess queen missing for centuries. Only the chess queen can unlock powers and treasures and heal the centuries-old rift between Betrovia and England. But when the letter gets stolen under the watchful eyes of Mina and Evaline, the two girls force themselves into a race to find the chess queen before anyone else does. The novel deals with interesting elements like secret societies and hidden worlds, making it one of the best adventure novels.
Price: $14.89
8. Best Imaginative: This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein
Alchemy, love, villainy, heart-wrenching emotion, all combine in “This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein,” an imagined prequel to Mary Shelley’s time-tested classic novel “Frankenstein”. It’s a story about Victor and Konrad, whose lives are filled with imaginary adventures. But one day, the adventure turns into reality. Characters have brushes with death deep in the caves and high in the trees. The most conflicted character is Victor Frankenstein, motivated by ambition and jealousy, as much as he is by his love for his family. This book can enhance your child’s critical evaluation skills and keep them hooked as they explore more about the ancient legend and myths that the story revolves around.
Price: $9.99
9. Best Dystopian: Divergent
Here’s a perfect book for teens who have a thirst for thrill and adventure. In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian world, the society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a virtue. The factions are Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent), Dauntless (the brave) and Amity (the peaceful). When it is Beatrice’s turn for selection, she chooses to live in the ‘brave’ faction, where people try to outdo each other to prove their courage. She adopts a pseudonym, Tris. But Tris has a secret that no one knows. This brave protagonist later discovers that she can use her secret to help save the people she loves. Your teen will love this high-stake, time-tested adventure book.
Price: $0.01
10. Best Survival: The Enemy
Filled with quick-thinking heroes and unexpected twist and turns, “The Enemy” by Charlie Higson is a fast-paced tale of survival in the face of unbelievable terror. After a disease turns people over 16 into decomposing zombies, a group of teenagers leaves the shelter and sets out on a journey to the safe retreat of Buckingham Palace. But their fight isn’t over. The threat within the palace is as real as the one outside it. Your teen will certainly find this survival story inspiring.
Price: $0.01
How To Choose The Right Adventure Book For Teens?
Here’s a list of points to consider when choosing a suitable adventure book.
- Genre: Explore different genres to find one your teen may like. From historical to fantasy, various themes are available to engage the child and keep them interested.
- Review: Check the reviews by fellow readers and parents to ensure the book is suitable for your teen and doesn’t contain inappropriate or mature content and language.
- Language: The language and writing style should be appropriate for teenagers. Ensure it is easy to read for better comprehension yet challenging enough to enhance your teen’s vocabulary and writing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should a teen read adventure books?
If a teen is inclined towards adventure books, they can read their favorite adventure books on a daily basis.
2. What is the meaning of “adventure stories”?
An adventure story features characters who engage in exciting and daring escapades.
3. How long should a teen read adventure books daily?
Generally, there is no specific time limit for reading an adventurous book. However, it is recommended that a teen should read for about two to three hours a day, including all kinds of books.
4. At what age can a teen read fluently?
It all depends on the teen’s brain development and how often they practice their reading. However, it is common for most people in their teenage years to read fluently.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah is a passionate writer and editor with a special interest in books and children’s products. His reviews are backed by a skilled, research-driven approach. In this post, he has curated a list of the best adventure books for teens in the market. After going through several user reviews, testimonials, and product listings, he has put together this list to help you choose the right one for your child.
The Bottom Line
A good collection of adventure books can keep your teen engrossed and encourage them to stay away from their devices. Reading is a hobby with multiple benefits, including cognitive development. To choose the best adventure books for teenagers, understand the type of books they are interested in. For example, some may be particularly fond of stories set in a specific era or genre, such as dystopia. In contrast, others may be interested in thrilling stories and captivating series, such as The Golden Son, or mysteries like The Maze Runner. Further, they might enjoy short reads more than winding tales. Understanding these details can help you pick the right book for them and get them started on this epic journey.
Infographic: How To Choose The Right Adventure Book For Teens?
Apart from reading their curriculum books, teenagers should make time to read adventure books to enhance their progress and growth. Check out the following infographic to know the criteria to keep in mind when selecting the right adventure book for teenagers. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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