Books About Escape · 63 titles considered

The Best Escape Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about escape? 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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Escape

The Knife of Never Letting Go
Sale price
$2214
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2008

The Knife of Never Letting Go

By Patrick Ness · Book #1 in the Chaos Walking series

A boy hears everyone's thoughts and uncovers a deadly secret, forcing him to flee with a mysterious silent girl.

Odyssey Honor (2011)
512 pages· 111,986 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 207,164 ratings
$23.30Save 5%
Prebound-Glued
Summary: In a world where thoughts are audible, Todd Hewitt is the last boy in a town of men. As he nears manhood, he discovers a dark secret that forces him to flee with his loyal dog. Pursued by hostile townsmen, Todd encounters a silent girl, defying everything he knows about the Noise germ that killed all females. Who is she, and why is she immune? As Todd's journey unfolds, he must question everything to uncover the truth and find his place in a world filled with chaos and deception.
The Frog Princess
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

The Frog Princess

By E. D. Baker · Book #1 in the Tales of the Frog Princess series

A princess's kiss turns her into a frog, sparking a quest to regain her human form.

240 pages· 49,072 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 28,379 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Princess Emma's life takes a wild turn when a kiss meant to break a spell turns her into a frog. Now, alongside a transformed prince, she embarks on a whimsical quest to reclaim her humanity. With a cast of quirky companions, including a self-conscious bat and a loyal snake, Emma must navigate a world of magic and mischief. Can she find a way back to her true self, or will she remain a frog forever? Dive into this enchanting adventure where nothing is as it seems, and every leap leads to unexpected surprises.
Box
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Box

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Michele Wood (Illustrator)

A man risks everything to escape slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Newbery Honor (2021)
56 pages· 3,020 words· Est. 24 min read-aloud
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 853 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Henry Brown, born into slavery, loses his family to the cruel trade. With nothing left, he devises a daring escape plan: shipping himself in a box to freedom. As he navigates the perilous journey, aided by the Underground Railroad, will he find the liberty he seeks? This powerful narrative, told in poetic stanzas, captures the resilience and courage of a man determined to reclaim his life. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this tale of hope and defiance.
Dasher
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Dasher

By Matt Tavares · Book #1 in the Dasher series

A reindeer escapes the circus, meets Santa, and changes Christmas forever.

40 pages· 1,004 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,387 ratings
$17.99
Hardcover
Summary: Dasher, a young reindeer, dreams of snow and stars, far from her circus life. When a chance arises, she embarks on a daring journey, meeting Santa along the way. With a magical Christmas wish, Dasher's adventure transforms her world and the holiday season forever. Will her courage lead to a new destiny?
One Day
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2025

One Day

By Michael Rosen, Benjamin Phillips (Illustrator)

A father and son face perilous escape attempts from a Nazi convoy. Will hope prevail?

40 pages· 1,317 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 223 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a gripping tale of survival, a Hungarian-French Jew and his father are captured by Nazis. Facing the horrors of a prison camp, they attempt a daring escape. Their journey is fraught with danger and failure, but hope drives them to try again. Will they succeed against all odds? This poignant story, inspired by true events, captures the resilience of the human spirit during the Holocaust. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this moving narrative of courage and determination.
November
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2010

November

By Gabrielle Lord · Conspiracy 365 series

A teen fugitive races against time to uncover a deadly secret and survive a year on the run.

179 pages· 34,974 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 1,774 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Cal is thrust into a perilous race against time after a chilling warning: survive the next 365 days or face death. With his father's mysterious death shrouded in secrets, Cal becomes a fugitive, pursued by both the law and relentless criminals. As he navigates a world where trust is scarce, Cal must unravel a history-changing secret that could save him and a friend. With enemies closing in and the clock ticking, every second could be his last. Can Cal uncover the truth before it's too late?
A Torch Against the Night
Sale price
$2085
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2016

A Torch Against the Night

By Sabaa Tahir · Book #2 in the An Ember in the Ashes series

Fugitives Elias and Laia race against dark forces to save her brother from a deadly prison.

464 pages· 124,808 words· Est. 11.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 208,420 ratings
$21.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Elias and Laia are on the run, pursued by Martial soldiers through the Empire. Laia's mission: infiltrate the impenetrable Kauf prison to rescue her brother, vital to the Scholars' survival. Elias, sacrificing his freedom, aids her against formidable foes, including his former friend Helene, now tasked with hunting them down. As dark forces close in, can they outsmart their enemies and survive?
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2006

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain, Dan Andreasen (Illustrator) · Classic Starts series

A boy and a runaway slave journey down the Mississippi River, facing danger and discovery.

160 pages· 21,102 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 4,983 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Join Huck Finn and Jim as they escape down the Mississippi River on a raft. Amidst sleepy towns and deceitful con men, they navigate a world of family feuds and unexpected friendships. Will their quest for freedom lead to safety or peril? Experience the vibrant tapestry of antebellum America through their eyes, where every bend in the river brings new challenges and revelations.
The Winglets Quartet
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Winglets Quartet

By Tui T. Sutherland · Book #1 in the Wings of Fire: Winglets series

Uncover hidden truths in Pyrrhia as dragons face obsession, loyalty, and captivity.

171 pages· 35,804 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 3,087 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In the world of Pyrrhia, four dragons' stories unravel hidden truths. Fierceteeth dreams of what should have been, while Deathbringer seeks to prove his worth as an assassin. Six-Claws learns the cost of loyalty, and Foeslayer's love leads to kidnapping. Prince Arctic, a runaway, becomes a captive. Dive into these tales to discover the secrets behind the legends. What really happened to these dragons, and how will their choices shape their destinies?
The Midnight Children
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Midnight Children

By Dan Gemeinhart

A boy discovers mysterious children hiding secrets in a small town.

342 pages· 77,316 words· Est. 11 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 4,280 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In Slaughterville, a town with a dark past, Ravani Foster witnesses seven mysterious children arrive under the cover of night. Lonely and curious, he befriends the bold Virginia, uncovering secrets and danger. As threats loom, Ravani must protect his new friends or risk losing the only person who truly understands him. Can he find the courage to stand up for them and himself?
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Escape Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about escape for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Henry's Freedom Box
Sale price
$1999

Henry's Freedom Box

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A slave risks all to mail himself to freedom.

Dear Mrs. LaRue
Sale price
$1799

Dear Mrs. LaRue

Ages 4–8 · 2002

A dog plots escape from obedience school through humorous letters.

Hansel and Gretel
Sale price
$1795

Hansel and Gretel

Ages 4–8 · 1812

Lost in the woods, two siblings face a witch's deadly trap. Can they outsmart her?

Chicken Soup
Sale price
$1695

Chicken Soup

Ages 4–8 · 2009

Chickens flee from becoming soup, but Little Chickie's sneezes might reveal her hiding spot.

My Life as a Chicken
Sale price
$1600

My Life as a Chicken

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A chicken's daring escape from becoming dinner leads to a wild adventure.

Rapunzel
Series
Sale price
$1699

Rapunzel

Ages 4–8 · 2010

A prince hears a song from a tower. Can he free the singer?

The Gingerbread Man
Series
Sale price
$899

The Gingerbread Man

Ages 3–7 · 2007

Discover enchanting tales with interactive flaps that spark imagination.

The Big Pancake
Sale price
$975

The Big Pancake

Ages 5–8 · 2014

A giant pancake escapes, sparking a chase. Can it be caught?

The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Sale price
$399

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Ages 4–8 · 1901

A rabbit defies warnings, risking capture in a forbidden garden.

The Force Awakens
Series
Sale price
$1499

The Force Awakens

Ages 5–7 · 2016

The Resistance battles the First Order's planet-destroying weapon.

View all escape picture books
Browse by age

Escape Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about escape for developing and independent readers.

Dragon Slayers
#6 in Series
Sale price
$899

Dragon Slayers

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Twins trapped by dragons must choose sides in a battle of good and evil.

Mission ImPAWsible
#3 in Series
Sale price
$999

Mission ImPAWsible

Ages 7–12 · 2020

A dog named Junior discovers that his family is sending him to a dog retreat while they go on vacation to Hollywood, but Junior has other plans and decides to escape with the help of his new friends

The Ice Monster
Sale price
$1799

The Ice Monster

Ages 7–12 · 2018

An orphan's quest to uncover the mystery of a frozen mammoth leads to an epic Arctic adventure.

The Icebound Land
#3 in Series
Sale price
$1899

The Icebound Land

Ages 10–14 · 2005

Will's rescue hinges on a defiant ranger and a skilled knight's perilous journey.

Mossflower
#2 in Series
Sale price
$1099

Mossflower

Ages 10–14 · 1988

A tyrant wildcat rules Mossflower Woods. Can two mice and a mole stop her reign?

Meet Addy
#1 in Series
Sale price
$695

Meet Addy

Ages 7–10 · 1993

A young girl escapes slavery, seeking freedom and family reunion.

Pilfer Academy
Sale price
$799

Pilfer Academy

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Kidnapped to a school for thieves, George must choose between crime and his conscience.

Zorgamazoo
Sale price
$899

Zorgamazoo

Ages 8–12 · 2008

A brave girl discovers a fantastical creature underground. What secret does it hold?

Hunger Winter
Sale price
$1099

Hunger Winter

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A thirteen-year-old boy must protect his younger sister and evade the Gestapo after his family is torn apart by the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

View all escape chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about changeBooks about curses and spellsBooks about human-animal relationshipsBooks about running away from homeBooks about self-discoveryBooks about telepathy