With school out for summer, your kids will have plenty of time for these chapter books full of action, adventure and whimsy! Whether read independently or as family read-alouds, these books are sure to awaken everyone’simagination!
By Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson; illustrated by Greg Call. Best for ages 8+
Set in 19th-century London, this children’s novel is a reinterpretation of Peter Pan! Peter and his friends are sent to an island ruled by an evil king. Their journey aboard the Never Land, a ship filled with mysterious cargo, soon becomes rife with adventure and danger!
By Arthur Ransome. Best for ages 7+
This is the summer adventure of all adventures! The four Walker children are on summer break from school and borrow a boat called the Swallow. They meet up with the Blackett children who are sailing on a boat called the Amazon. Together the children encounter the biggest adventure of their lives — complete with theft, burglars and explosions!
By Brian Jacques. Best for ages 6+
Every good story needs danger, courage, an evil villain and a hero we all love. When Cluny the Scourge attacks Redwall Abbey, young Matthias and his friends must rise to the occasion and save the Abbey they love. Redwall is book one in a series of 22 books!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By C.S. Lewis. Best for ages 6+
It might be hot here in Kansas City, but it is always winter in Narnia! Join Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they are magically transported through a wardrobe into a land frozen under the spell of the White Witch. Accompany the children and a loving lion named Aslan as they adventure through Narnia.
By Suzanne Collins. Best for ages 8+
When Gregor and his sister tumble down the back of a dryer into an underground world, they find themselves surrounded by gigantic bats, cockroaches and mysterious pale people. Gregor quickly realizes this new world is on the brink of war while learning the role he has to play in their future.
By S.D. Smith. Best for ages 7+
Heather and Picket are young rabbits living in a world that seems untouched by pain or sorrow. When wolves attack their home, the siblings are forced to flee and find themselves caught up in a war to overthrow an evil tyrant.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
By Andrew Peterson. Best for ages 9+
Join Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby — along with their mother, ex-pirate grandfather and dog — as they are thrown into an adventure of defending their homeland from the dreaded Fangs of Dang. You will laugh, and you might even cry, but one thing is for sure: you have never read a book quite like this one before!
By Elizabeth George Speare. Best for ages 8+
Thirteen-year-old Matt has been left behind on the new family homestead while his father goes back to get his mother and sister. After having his only weapon stolen and being unsure of how to find food, Matt meets Attean, a Native American boy who teaches him both how to survive and about the changing frontier around them.
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
By John R. Erickson. Best for ages 6+
This hilarious series is told from the point of view of Hank, a dog living on a farm in Texas. Dubbing himself “head of ranch security,” Hank’s over-inflated ego coupled with the antics of his sidekick, Drover, make for laugh-out-loud moments for children and adults alike! I highly recommend the audio version of these books as they are read by the author himself.
By J.R.R. Tolkien. Best for ages 6+
No booklist would be complete without this classic adventure story. Meet Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who enjoys the comforts of home and simple pleasures of life. Meet Gandalf, a wizard who is going to turn Bilbo’s world upside down when he gives him a daring quest. Dwarves, a gold-hoarding dragon and a magic ring make for an epic tale no child can resist!
Bonus Reading Fun!
Pair your child’s summer reading adventures with the Johnson County Library’s Summer Reading Program! Kids can pick up a free book to keep, track their reading, and earn rewards—all while discovering new stories and building strong reading habits. Visit jocolibrary.org/summerreading to get started.
Many KC businesses and libraries offer fun rewards just for diving into a good book. From free treats to reading programs, don’t miss our guide to Summer Freebies for Kansas City Kids! See all the reading rewards here.
Delena Soukup is a homeschooling mom of nine children who loves coffee, discussing children’s literature with strangers, and chronicling her domestic adventures on Instagram at @thecoffeecurriculum.
Looking for an unforgettable Vacation Bible School experience for your kids this summer? Our 2025 VBS Guide features programs happening across the Kansas City metro—organized first by state (Missouri and Kansas) and then by date for easy planning. These free or low-cost church-hosted events offer faith-filled fun through themed lessons, music, crafts, games, and more. Whether you’re in Liberty, Overland Park, or anywhere in between, there’s a VBS near you ready to welcome your child for a week of adventure and spiritual growth.