Who’s up for a trip? Me! Always me!
My favorite trip of the past few years included a stop in Istanbul, Turkey. The culture was warm and inviting, the architecture was breathtaking, and the food….oh my, the FOOD!
Maybe it’s my love of travel that makes me love quest books for kids…those stories with an adventurous self-discovery theme. You know the ones…the main characters embark on some kind of journey where they encounter challenges, make new friends, and ultimately learn something about themselves that changes the direction of their lives. (Think The Wizard of Oz or Lord of the Rings.)
So, of course, I love incorporating quest books for kids into my lesson plans and sharing them with students. If you’re ready to go on a quest with me, here is a little more insight on quests as a part of your literature study and a few quest books for kids from my upper elementary library section to get your students thinking about and talking about great books!
Understanding Theme in the Quest Books for Kids:
A quest story is a timeless literary archetype that follows a protagonist’s journey to achieve a specific goal or find something of great value. Along the way, they encounter obstacles, undergo personal growth, and often face moral dilemmas. Quest narratives entertain the reader while also providing valuable insights into the human experience, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery.
Now, before we delve into our list of captivating quest books for kids, I highly recommend checking out “How to Read Literature Like a Professor: For Kids” by Thomas C. Foster. This insightful guide introduces young readers to the nuances of literary analysis, including the elements of quest narratives. It’s the perfect companion for budding literary adventurers eager to uncover hidden meanings and deeper themes in their reading journeys.
To help you out with leading discussions while reading one of these quest books for kids in your classroom, here’s a free quest resource.
And now, without further ado, let’s embark on our quest for captivating stories:
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin:
This is my #1 recommendation when it comes to quest books for kids. Join young Minli on a magical quest inspired by Chinese folklore as she sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon and change her family’s fortune. I seem to put this book on every list I create because it is just that good! You can cover so many ELA standards with just this one book…character traits, theme, folklore, vocabulary galore (and so much more)!
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan:
Introduce Greek mythology and quests at the same time with Percy Jackson, a modern-day demigod, as he embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods and uncover the truth about his own identity. Bonus: Percy is super relatable to kids with learning differences so this is a great way to engage some of your reluctant readers!
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl:
This one gives a whole new meaning to the word book worm! Join James as he escapes his miserable life with his cruel aunts by embarking on a fantastical journey inside a giant peach with a group of unlikely insect friends. Roald Dahl and his quirky child heroes never disappoint, which makes this a must on the list of quest books for kids!
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster:
This classic has been around for more than 60 years, but it’s a classic for a reason. Follow Milo on a whimsical journey through the Lands Beyond as he seeks to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore balance to a fractured kingdom. Have fun with figurative language along the way because this book is full of it!
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo:
Join Despereaux, a brave mouse with oversized ears, on a quest to rescue a princess and restore light to a darkened kingdom. Talking about quests is just the beginning when it comes to this one; it’s also a great tool for exploring symbolism. Thomas C. Foster will clue you into some frequently occurring symbols that make an appearance along Desperaux’s quest.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart:
“The only rule is that there are no rules.” If that idea doesn’t grab your readers, I don’t know what will. Join four gifted orphans as they use all their wit and strength to face challenges along their path to thwarting a sinister plot and saving the world from a mysterious villain.
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
If your readers are looking for something modern or a little out of the ordinary on this list of quest books for kids then this one is for them. It follows two brave 11-year-old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest on their adventures when a mysterious box of smells sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under suspicious circumstances.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien:
Next on the quest books for kids list is a familiar and loved story. This quest was a hit long before the blockbuster movies came along. Journey with Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hobbit, as he accompanies a group of dwarves on a perilous quest to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis:
Follow ten-year-old Bud as he embarks on a journey to find his father during the Great Depression, encountering kindness, adventure, and unexpected connections along the way all of which teach him a little about life and a lot about himself. Your students are sure to discover the first-person narrator feels like a new best friend from the very start which is a great opportunity to talk about the use of tone as a writer’s tool.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis:
The final recommendation on the list of quest books for kids is another oldie-but-goodie. It looks like the director of Barbie and Netflix are teaming up to bring this story to a new generation, so here’s our chance to introduce your students to this literary classic before it hits the screens. Your readers can step through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they embark on a quest to defeat the White Witch and fulfill their destiny as the Kings and Queens of Narnia.
Whether your students love the fantasy world of imaginary creatures or follow a could-be friend through a real-life historical period, there’s a quest on this list for every reader! So grab one of these quest books for kids, pack your sense of adventure, and get ready for a journey through literature!