Kids love adventure . Lauren Tarshis’ New York Times best-selling series I Survived offers exactly that, allowing young readers to put themselves in the protagonists’ shoes as they survive real-life events like the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, or the American Revolution.
There are plenty of stories for thrill seekers to enjoy. The I Survived series includes 25 volumes and sold over 50 million copies. But when kids run through those, they’re not out of luck. There are lots of similarly spine-tingling adventures to try.
The 39 Clues
The only thing kids like more than an adventure is an independent protagonist who’s empowered to solve puzzles adults can’t figure out. The 39 Clues series boasts two such heroes, Amy and Dan. They’re regular kids who find themselves solving a generations-long mystery: what is the source of their family’s power?
The Cahill family has ties to everyone from Houdini to Marie Curie. They also have a bent toward the enigmatic. When the last matriarch of the clan, Grace Cahill, passes on, her will carries the following instruction to her heirs: "You have a choice — one million dollars or a clue."
Which would your young reader choose?
Ranger in Time
Ranger is a search-and-rescue dog who can’t seem to pass the test. (He keeps getting distracted by squirrels — relatable). One day in his garden, he discovers a magical first aid kit that can transport him into the past.
Starting with a family migrating west on the Oregon Trail in 1850, Ranger proves that he’s got what it takes to rescue people after all. Whether your kids love adorable dogs, historical adventures, or both, this series is one to add to the to-be-read pile.
Books by Alan Gratz
Does your middle-grade reader like imagining themselves in the middle of the action — especially when reading stories rooted in history? If so, they’ll love Alan Gratz’s work.
The events in his books are very real (Pearl Harbor, the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis) but the main characters are fictional. Kids can learn about the past from the perspective of someone who’s in the action.
Show Me a Sign
History fans who also enjoy stories with resilient young protagonists will love Show Me a Sign, the story of 11-year-old Mary Lambert, a Deaf girl growing up in 19th century Martha’s Vineyard. Many of the other residents in her town are also Deaf, a fact that fascinates a scientist from the mainland. When the outsider designs a cruel experiment with Mary at the center, she will have to rely on herself and her community to survive. Mary’s story continues in Sail Me Away Home.
Books by Jennifer Nielsen
Need more historical fiction for middle-grade readers? Check out Jennifer Nielsen’s books, which include gripping tales of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and resistance in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II.
Ready to find your next reads? Search The Scholastic Store by grade & age, format & subject, or series & character.
