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Adventure Genre

The Flight and Adventures of Charles Ii Charles Norman genre cover

Genre description for the 'Adventure' Genre.  Full text description would go here to introduce the genre before showing a complete list of all the books in that genre.


Books in the Adventure genre:

The King of Ireland’s Son (1916)

The King of Ireland's Son sets out to find the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands and meets the Enchanter's daughter, Fedelma.

Author(s): Pádraic Colum
Illustrator(s): Willy Pogány

Shasta of the Wolves (1919)

Shasta of the Wolves is a feral child novel by Olaf Baker. It was originally published in 1919 by Dodd, Mead and Company with illustrations by Charles Livingston Bull. It was reprinted a number of times up until 1959.... View More

Author(s): Olaf Baker
Illustrator(s): Charles Livingston Bull

Robinson Crusoe (1920)

First published in 1719, this account of ‘eight and twenty years, all alone on an uninhabited island on the coast of America’ was based on the experiences of Alexander Selkirk, who was marooned on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Most rece... View More

Author(s): Daniel Defoe
Illustrator(s): N. C. Wyeth

Memoirs of a London Doll (1922)

Wooden doll, Maria Poppet, describes her many adventures in 19th century London. Read online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Mrs. Fairstar
Illustrator(s): Emma L. Brock

The White Company (1922)

Alleyne Edricson joins The White Company of English mercenaries and serves as squire to Sir Nigel Loring during their campaigns in France and Spain under the Black Prince. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator(s): N. C. Wyeth

The School at the Chalet (1925)

This is the first in a series of about 60 books by Elinor Brent-Dyer, initially published between 1925 and 1970.

Author(s): Elinor Brent-Dyer
Illustrator(s): Nina K. Brisley

The Cruise of the Cachalot (1926)

This is the story of a cruise after sperm whales by a member of the crew. The scan is of an early reprinting. Read for free online at Internet Archive.... View More

Author(s): Frank Bullen
Illustrator(s): Mead Schaeffer

High Adventure (1926)

A tale of true high adventure in Georgian times.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Jeffery Farnol
Illustrator(s): Unknown

Doctor Dolittle in the Moon (1928)

Doctor Dolittle extends his researches to the language of plants when he meets the wonderful inhabitants of the moon. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Hugh Lofting
Illustrator(s): Hugh Lofting

Smuggler’s Island and the Devil Fires of San Moros (1928)

Five children, one only a baby, are abandoned on a desert island in the Sea of Cortez. Marian, the eldest, keeps them alive for seven years, waiting for the baby to grow big enough to survive the sea voyage to safety. Read online at Hathitrust . Read... View More

The Children of the New Forest (1930)

A family of Royalist children take to the woods to escape from their Puritan persecuters. A Robinsonnade in Merry England.

Author(s): Frederick Marryat
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

Emil and the Detectives (1930)

While on the train to Berlin to visit his grandmother Emil has his money stolen. He gathers a team of children to track down the thief. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Erich Kästner
Illustrator(s): Walter Trier

Bevis (1932)

Two English boys camp out on an island in a pond.

An abridged version is available at archive.org

Author(s): Richard Jefferies
Illustrator(s): Ernest H. Shepard

Mutiny on the Bounty (1932)

Mutiny on the Bounty is the title of the 1932 novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, based on the mutiny against Lieutenant William Bligh, commanding officer of the Bounty in 1789. It has been made into several films and a musical. It was t... View More

Ola and Blakken (1933)

Ola and his family shoot a troll-cock, resulting in goods for themselves, a feast for their neighbors, and the deaths of two trolls.

Men Against the Sea (1934)

Captain William Bligh and eighteen loyal men are cast off in a twenty-three foot open boat by the Bounty mutineers and set out for Coupang in Timor, a journey of more than 3,600 miles.

Ola (1934)

Ola is the enchanting story of a dauntless Norwegian boy who goes skiing one day and has many unusual adventures before returning home. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Pitcairn’s Island (1934)

Following the mutiny on HMS Bounty, Fletcher Christian along with eight of the Bounty’s crew, six Polynesian men and twelve Polynesian women sail for Pitcairn’s Island where they scuttle the Bounty.

The Book of Indians (1935)

Blending history and stories, this account of the American Indian has become a classic. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Book of Cowboys (1936)

Peter and Barbara Ann spend the summer on their uncle’s ranch and learn about cowboys firsthand. Read online at archive.org.... View More

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (1937)

The adventures of the well-to-do hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who lived happily in his comfortable home until a wandering wizard granted his wish.

Author(s): J. R. R. Tolkien
Illustrator(s): J. R. R. Tolkien

The Three Policemen or, Young Bottsford of Farbe Island (1938)

The ingenuity of ten-year-old Bottsford enables the three clownish policemen of an isolated idyllic isle to catch thieves who have been stealing the islanders’ fish and fishing nets.

Author(s): William Pène du Bois
Illustrator(s): William Pène du Bois

Give a Man a Horse (1939)

Story of two young men riding through South America.

Author(s): Charles Finger
Illustrator(s): Henry C. Pitz

The Ship that Flew (1939)

Peter buys a model ship from an antique store for “all the money he has in the world -- and a little bit more” and discovers it can carry its owners through space and time.

Author(s): Hilda Lewis
Illustrator(s): Nora Lavrin

I Married Adventure: the lives of Martin and Osa Johnson (1940)

The exciting lives of the husband and wife team -- globetrotters, adventurers and wildlife photographers. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Osa Johnson
Illustrator(s): Photographs

Smoky-House (1940)

An exciting tale about dogs and donkeys and smugglers. The British edition has the hyphen.

Author(s): Elizabeth Goudge
Illustrator(s): C. Walter Hodges

Johnny Tremain: A Novel for Old and Young (1943)

When Johnny’s hand injury prevents him working as a silversmith’s apprentice, he joins the American rebels as a messenger. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Esther Forbes
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal - 1944

The Wind on the Moon: A Story for Children (1944)

Dinah and Dorinda determine to be naughty while their father is away.

Author(s): Eric Linklater
Illustrator(s): Nicolas Bentley

Carnegie Medal
Carnegie Medal - 1944

Young ’un (1944)

Old flan Post, who couldn't tolerate home, family life, or farmin'. He turned his back on all three when fate burned down his house and killed his wife. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Herbert Best
Illustrator(s): Unknown

Five Little Firemen (1948)

“The finest fire is the fire that’s out,” sing the five little firemen. Later editions have fewer pages.

Invisible Island (1948)

The four Guthrie children are cast away on an invisible island.

Author(s): Dean Marshall
Illustrator(s): Christine Price

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1948

The Island Stallion (1948)

When Steve Duncan is asked to go on an archeological search on a remote Caribbean island, he never imagines the stallion he will find there. But the giant horse is unapproachable, showing nothing but fear and fury toward people. When the stallion get... View More

Author(s): Walter Farley
Illustrator(s): Keith Ward

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1948

My Father’s Dragon (1948)

When an alley cat he befriends tells Elmer Elevator about the captive baby dragon on Wild Island, he determines to go to the island and set him free. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Ruth Stiles Gannett
Illustrator(s): Ruth Chrisman Gannett

Newbery Honor Book
Newbery Honor Book - 1949
Newbery Honor Book
Junior Literary Guild - 1948

Dig for a Treasure (1949)

A treasure is rumored to be buried on Invisible Island, and the eight explorers are determined to find it.

Author(s): Dean Marshall
Illustrator(s): Christine Price

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1949

The Door in the Wall (1949)

During the bubonic plague, Robin is challenged with overcoming the loss of use in his legs when he was supposed to be sent off to become a knight.

Author(s): Marguerite de Angeli
Illustrator(s): Marguerite de Angeli

Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal - 1950
Newbery Medal
Junior Literary Guild - 1950

The Pirates in the Deep Green Sea (1949)

Timothy and Hew join forces with Davy Jones to foil the villainous Dan Scumbril and his dastarly crew in their attempt to take over the ocean depths.

Author(s): Eric Linklater
Illustrator(s): William Reeves

The Coral Island (1950)

Although stranded on a South Pacific Island, three boys make it an adventure.

Author(s): R. M. Ballantyne
Illustrator(s): C. Walter Hodges

The Little Trapper (1950)

The little trapper gets trapped.

Author(s): Byron Jackson
Kathryn Jackson
Illustrator(s): Gustaf Tenggren

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (1950)

The future admiral begins his career in the Justinian and is seasick off Spithead. Read online at archive.org.  ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Forester
Illustrator(s): Andrew Wyeth

Five Boys in a Cave (1951)

John Walters and the members of the Tomahawk Club undertake the exploration of a cave he has discovered.

Author(s): Richard Church
Illustrator(s): Doug Anderson

Minn of the Mississippi (1951)

We see the Mississippi River through the eyes of a snapping turtle.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Holling C. Holling
Illustrator(s): Holling C. Holling

Newbery Honor Book
Newbery Honor Book - 1952

Bill Bergson, Master Detective (1952)

The first battles of the War of the White Roses and the Red are interrupted by a mysterious Uncle.

Author(s): Astrid Lindgren
Illustrator(s): Louis S. Glanzman

Edward, Hoppy, and Joe (1952)

An inquisitive little rabbit named Edward and his friends Hoppy Toad and Joe Possum learn about automobiles, canoeing, roller skating, the circus and other things important to the safety and pleasure of growing animals.

Author(s): Robert Lawson
Illustrator(s): Robert Lawson

Half Magic (1954)

Faced with a dull summer in the city, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha suddenly find themselves involved in a series of extraordinary adventures after Jane discovers an ordinary-looking coin that seems to grant wishes. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Wheel on the School (1954)

Overcoming many obstacles, a group of children work together with their Dutch village to bring the storks back.

Author(s): Meindert De Jong
Illustrator(s): Maurice Sendak

Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal - 1955

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet (1954)

David and Chuck are approached by their neighbor Mr. Bass to build a space ship.

Author(s): Eleanor Cameron
Illustrator(s): Robert Henneberger

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1954

Dragon Run (1955)

This time travel adventure takes Chris Mason and Mr. Wicker back to colonial days.

Author(s): Carley Dawson
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

The Journey of Johnny Rew (1955)

Orphaned by the war, Johnny learns that he might have family in the west of England and sets out in search of them.

Author(s): Anne Barrett
Illustrator(s): Unknown

The Door into Summer (1956)

Engineer Dan gets swindled by his fiancé and business partner and so he goes on "the long sleep". In the 1970 of this world, a person can be frozen to reawaken at a later time, while investments continue to grow with compound interest. Read on... View More

Author(s): Robert Heinlein
Illustrator(s): Milford Joseph Hunter III

Knight’s Castle (1956)

Four cousins, Roger, Ann, Eliza, and Jack, have an extraordinary summer when, after an old toy soldier comes to life, they find themselves transported back to the days of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Silver Nutmeg: The Story of Anna Lavinia and Toby (1956)

On another lavender blue day Anna Lavinia explores dew pond hill and travels through the dew pond to meet her cousin Toby.

Author(s): Palmer Brown
Illustrator(s): Palmer Brown

Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)

A youth who has known only the primitive life of a galaxy slave is purchased by a beggar who turns out to be a man with many extracurricular activities.

Author(s): Robert Heinlein
Illustrator(s): Leonard Everett Fisher

Down River (1957)

John Walters and the members of the Tomahawk Club set out to explore a cave he has found.

Author(s): Richard Church
Illustrator(s): Laurence Irving

Have Space Suit - Will Travel (1958)

Kip Russell answers a radio distress call in his Skyway Soap prize space suit and is off on an adventure on which hangs the fate of planet earth. Listen online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Robert Heinlein
Illustrator(s): Clifford N. Geary

Mr. Bass’s Planetoid (1958)

David and Chuck are off in their spaceship to rescue the world from the Brumblitron.

Author(s): Eleanor Cameron
Illustrator(s): Louis Darling

A Bear Called Paddington (1958)

From the day Paddington was discovered on a railway platform in London, he was seldom far from imminent disaster … but it always seemed to turn into hilarious fun. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Michael Bond
Illustrator(s): Peggy Fortnum

The Adventures of Rinaldo (1959)

The famous knight, Rinaldo di Paldo, returning from battle, has several adventures on his way home: he outwits some enemy soldiers, he collects some loving animals, and he marries a beautiful maiden.

Author(s): Isabella Holt
Illustrator(s): Erik Blegvad

Magic or Not? (1959)

When Laura learns the well at her new house is a wishing well, she plunges right in.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

My Side of the Mountain (1959)

Sam Gribley takes to the woods and lives by himself for a year.

Author(s): Jean Craighead George
Illustrator(s): Jean Craighead George

Newbery Honor Book
Newbery Honor Book - 1960

The Three Policemen or, Young Bottsford of Farbe Island (1960)

The ingenuity of ten-year-old Bottsford enables the three clownish policemen of an isolated idyllic isle to catch thieves who have been stealing the islanders’ fish and fishing nets. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): William Pène du Bois
Illustrator(s): William Pène du Bois

Cutlass Island (1962)

To solve the mystery of the caretaker's strange actions on Cutlass island off the New England Coast, Skip and Harvey were hired to live there. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Scott Corbett
Illustrator(s): Leonard Shortall

A Wrinkle in Time (1963)

When their scientist father disappears whilst on a secret mission, two children and a friend search for him through time and space by a process of "tessering."

Author(s): Madeleine L’Engle
Illustrator(s): Ellen Raskin

Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal - 1963

Magic Island (1964)

Orphaned girl, Angel Thorne goes on a voyage by clipper ship from New York to Barbados with an exciting winter spent there not only restore herself to complete health but to also give her new friends and her own special place. Read online at Internet... View More

Author(s): Madye Lee Chastain
Illustrator(s): Madye Lee Chastain

The Whisper of Glocken (1965)

The Watercress River has been dammed. Five intrepid Minnipins set out to find the cause and save the people of the Land Between the Mountains.

Author(s): Carol Kendall
Illustrator(s): Imero Gobbato

Jack of Dover (1966)

Jack’s mother and brothers always told him he was a fool, so when he goes to seek his fortune he determines to be the biggest fool in Christendom. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Richard Garnett
Illustrator(s): Graham Oakley

Asterix the Gaul (1969)

The year is 50 BC, and all of Gaul is occupied except for one small village. How much longer can Asterix, Obelix and their friends resist the Roman Empire? Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): René Goscinny
Illustrator(s): Albert Uderzo

Envoy to New Worlds (1969)

Retief acts as a galactic diplomat to ensure the peace of the universe.

Author(s): Keith Laumer
Illustrator(s): Ed Emshwiller

The Far-Distant Oxus (1969)

Three children spend the summer holiday on Exmoor where they find ponies, friends and adventure. This is a somewhat shorter version of the original work. The original illustrations have also been dispensed with.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (1969)

Susan and Colin discover that the lost Weirstone hangs on her bracelet, and all the powers of evil are out to steal it. This is the revised edition.

Author(s): Alan Garner
Illustrator(s): Ron Bowen

The Princess and the Goblin (1970)

The Princess Irene has been sent to her King-Papa’s hunting lodge to live. One evening when her nurse keeps her out too late, they are rescued from the goblins by Curdie, a miner’s son.

Author(s): George MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes
Arthur Hughes

Adventures of Captain William Walrus (1972)

A ship’s crew searches for underwater treasure and deals with a runaway locomotive.

Author(s): Georges Duplaix
Illustrator(s): Enzo Giannini

The Patchwork Cat (1981)

Tabby goes in search of her patchwork quilt and has many adventures before she gets home again. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): William Mayne
Illustrator(s): Nicola Bayley

Run Away Home (1982)

The Marlows help a young boy return to his father, but it requires a dangerous sea voyage.

Author(s): Antonia Forest
Illustrator(s): Roger Phillips

Sir Francis Drake: His Daring Deeds (1988)

From cabin boy to admiral of the English navy, Sir Francis Drake was a bold adventurer. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

The Mitten (1989)

Nicki drops one of his new white mittens in the snow. The animals crawl into it to keep warm, until … someone sneezes! Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Jan Brett
Illustrator(s): Jan Brett

The Adventures of Tintin (1993)

The Adventures of Tintin is a series of comic albums created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi (1907–1983), who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series was one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century. By the time of t... View More

Author(s): Hergé
Illustrator(s): Hergé

Wagons West! (1996)

Pioneers head west to the Oregon territory by wagon train.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

White Fang (2000)

A classic story of a half-dog half-wolf who is brutalized by a bad master during the Klondike gold rush, but finally finds a man he can love.

Author(s): Jack London
Illustrator(s): Ed Young

The Complete Little Orphan Annie Volume One Daily Comics 1924-1927 (2008)

This is the first volume in the reprinting of the complete Little Orphan Annie comic strip and includes the daily strips from 1924-1927 as well as a few atypical Sunday strips that advance the plot.

Author(s): Harold Gray
Illustrator(s): Harold Gray

Prince Valiant Volume 1-3 1937-1942 (2017)

This first set includes the first three volumes covering 1937 to 1942. This popular adventure strip, set in the days of King Arthur was written and drawn by Hal Foster from 1937 to 1971. For almost all of the run it was a full-page strip.... View More

Author(s): Hal Foster
Illustrator(s): Hal Foster

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