Books About Captivity

The Best Captivity Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about captivity? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#6 in Series

Series

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Captivity

Sale price

$1036

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Rise of the Wolf

By Curtis Jobling · Book #1 in the Wereworld series

A young werewolf must conquer his inner beast to survive a world of deadly werelords.

432 pages· 95,735 words· Est. 13.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,103 ratings

$10.90Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Drew Ferran discovers he's the last werewolf and rightful ruler of a land dominated by werelords. As he battles his own terrifying transformations, Drew is forced to flee his home and prove his innocence to those who see him as a threat. Captured by Lord Bergan's men, he must navigate a world where werecreatures seek his destruction. Can Drew master the wolf within and reclaim his destiny, or will the beast consume him? In a land where danger lurks at every turn, Drew's journey is one of survival, identity, and the fight for a kingdom.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 9–16 · 2004

The Invisible Friend

By Lois Walfrid Johnson · Book #3 in the Viking Quest series

A captive in Norway, Bree uncovers secrets and awaits rescue. Can she find freedom before winter's grip tightens?

224 pages· 39,425 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,287 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Briana O'Toole, an Irish chieftain's daughter, finds herself a prisoner in the Norwegian fjords. As she navigates her uncertain fate, Bree suspects her captor, Mikkel, harbors a secret. Mysterious messages hint at hope, but with winter approaching, Bree anxiously awaits her brother Devin's rescue. Can they uncover the truth and find the courage to claim their freedom before it's too late?

Graphic Nov.

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$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 16–+ · 2012

Attack on Titan 8

By Hajime Isayama · Attack on Titan series

A failed mission leaves Eren facing a deadly Titan and a royal summons.

192 pages· 5,574 words· Est. 42 min read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 21,709 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Eren's mission beyond the wall ends in disaster, leaving him with a royal summons and a deadly Titan on the loose. As his squad lies dead, Mikasa and Armin must decide if they will betray their king to save him. Can they unmask the female Titan before she strikes again, or will loyalty cost them everything?

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$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Rise and Fall

By Eliot Schrefer · Book #6 in the Spirit Animals series

A shattered team must face betrayal and a fierce guardian to save their world.

192 pages· 47,234 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,296 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: In a desert oasis, Cabaro the Great Lion guards a coveted talisman. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan, once inseparable, are now divided by betrayal. As their world teeters on the brink, they must reunite to confront a relentless enemy and make unimaginable sacrifices. Can they overcome their fractured bonds to save everything they hold dear?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

The Eyes and the Impossible

By Dave Eggers, Shawn Harris (Illustrator)

A dog witnesses mysterious changes in a park, challenging the balance of nature.

Newbery Medal (2024)

256 pages· 47,092 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 16,099 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In an urban park by the sea, Johannes, a free-spirited dog, serves as the Eyes, observing life and reporting to ancient Bison. With his animal friends, he ensures harmony. But when mysterious structures rise and a boatload of goats arrives, Johannes faces revelations that could alter his world forever. Can he maintain the park's balance amidst these changes? Discover a tale of friendship, beauty, and unexpected truths.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2014

Ivan

By Katherine Applegate, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

A gorilla's journey from captivity to freedom sparks a movement for animal welfare.

Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2015)

40 pages· 567 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,009 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Ivan, a gorilla captured as a baby, spends decades in a mall cage, drawing crowds but living in isolation. As public awareness grows, so does the demand for his freedom. Follow Ivan's remarkable journey from a shopping mall attraction to a symbol of animal rights, culminating in his relocation to Zoo Atlanta. Will Ivan find the life he deserves, and what impact will his story have on the world? Discover the true tale of resilience and change, complete with photographs that capture Ivan's incredible transformation.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1971

The Tombs of Atuan

By Ursula K. Le Guin · Earthsea Cycle series

A priestess guards a dark secret; a wizard seeks forbidden treasure. Will she defy her fate?

Newbery Honor (1972)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Honor (1972)

187 pages· 45,931 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 140,605 ratings

Paperback

Summary: In the shadowy Tombs of Atuan, Tenar, now called Arha, serves as high priestess, stripped of her past. Her duty is to protect the Ring of Erreth-Akbe, a treasure sought by the mysterious wizard Ged. As Ged's magic and stories of distant lands awaken something within her, Tenar faces a choice: remain in darkness or risk everything for freedom. Can she trust the stranger who promises a world beyond her own? Discover the gripping tale of power, destiny, and the courage to change one's path in this captivating Earthsea adventure.

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1993

Kat Kong

By Dav Pilkey · Book #2 in the Dogzilla series

A giant cat terrorizes Mousopolis. Can anyone stop the chaos?

29 pages· 636 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,728 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In Mousopolis, a colossal feline terrorizes the rodent citizens, leaving chaos in its wake. As Kat Kong prowls the streets, the mice must devise a clever plan to stop this furry menace. Will they outsmart the towering tabby, or is Mousopolis doomed to fall under its paws? Dive into this hilarious adventure where courage and wit are the only hope against a meowing giant.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Nightbooks

By J. A. White, J. A. White

A boy must tell a new scary story nightly to survive a witch's captivity.

294 pages· 59,902 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 10,930 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Trapped by a witch, young Alex must spin a new scary story each night to stay alive. As his tales dwindle, he faces the terrifying prospect of being trapped forever. Can he craft a story with a different ending and escape this twisted fate? Dive into a world where storytelling is a matter of life and death, and discover if Alex can outwit the witch before time runs out. Perfect for fans of Coraline, this tale weaves suspense, plot twists, and the art of storytelling into a gripping adventure.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2021

Steelstriker

By Marie Lu · Book #2 in the Skyhunter series

A lone warrior becomes a weapon to fight a fallen world.

400 pages· 113,646 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 11,702 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Talin, isolated behind enemy lines, faces a dire choice: become the Federation's ultimate weapon or lose everything. With her mother captive and allies scattered, she transforms into a Skyhunter. Yet, hope flickers as Red, her distant ally, seeks to reconnect. Can they reunite the Strikers and defy the Federation's grip? The battle for freedom is just beginning, and the stakes have never been higher. Will Talin's transformation be her salvation or her undoing?

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