Books About Escapes · 52 titles considered

The Best Escapes Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about escapes? 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 Princess Bride
Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Escapes

Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · 1846

The Count of Monte Cristo

A sailor's quest for revenge after wrongful imprisonment leads to a treasure and a reckoning with fate.

531 pages· 455,380 words
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,072,815 ratings
$7.95Save 5%
Mass Market Paperbound
Summary: Imprisoned on his wedding day for a crime he didn't commit, young sailor Edmond Dantès escapes the island fortress of Chateau d’If. With a hidden treasure at his disposal, he embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance against those who betrayed him. As Dantès transforms into the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo, he must confront the consequences of his obsession. Will his pursuit of justice lead to redemption or ruin? Set in post-Napoleonic France, this tale of betrayal, adventure, and fate challenges the boundaries of revenge and destiny.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1973

The Princess Bride

By William Goldman

A kidnapped princess, a daring rescue, and a quest for true love amidst looming war.

414 pages· 79,238 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 961,389 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the fabled land of Florin, Princess Buttercup's world shatters with the loss of her true love, Westley. As war threatens, she's kidnapped by mercenaries, forced into a royal marriage, and caught in a whirlwind of adventure. With a pirate's help, she faces giants, duels, and a cunning mastermind. Can Westley, her one true love, outwit their foes and reclaim her heart? Dive into a tale of romance, revenge, and daring escapades where every twist challenges fate and love's enduring power.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

The Bad Guys

By Aaron Blabey · Book #1 in the The Bad Guys series

A group of infamous villains try to change their ways and become heroes by starting a club called the Good Guys Club.

139 pages· 2,427 words· Est. 27 min read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 20,658 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Mr. Wolf and his crew, known for their villainous ways, embark on a mission to free 200 dogs from the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. As they attempt to transform from bad guys to heroes, chaos ensues. Will their plan succeed, or will their notorious reputations get in the way? And can Mr. Snake resist his mischievous antics long enough to help? Dive into this hilarious adventure where the line between good and bad blurs, and discover if these unlikely heroes can pull off the ultimate rescue mission.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1962

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

By Joan Aiken, Pat Marriott (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Wolves Chronicles series

Two girls must escape a cruel governess to save their home.

181 pages· 42,609 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 22,708 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Bonnie and Sylvia's world turns upside down when their parents leave, and the sinister Miss Slighcarp takes over Willoughby Chase. Stripped of comfort and sent to a harsh orphan school, the girls face endless toil. With Simon the gooseboy's help, they escape, but can they reclaim their home from Miss Slighcarp's grasp? Adventure and danger await as they fight to restore their once joyful life.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2011

Across the Universe

Awoken early from cryo-sleep, Amy must uncover a murder plot aboard a spaceship.

399 pages· 98,469 words· Est. 9 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 119,668 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Amy's cryo-sleep ends 50 years too soon on the spaceship Godspeed. Someone tried to kill her, and now she's trapped in a world ruled by the tyrant Eldest. With Elder, the heir, as her only ally, Amy must unravel the ship's secrets before the murderer strikes again. Can she trust Elder, a boy who knows nothing beyond the ship's confines? As danger looms, Amy races against time to survive and uncover the truth in this enclosed, deceptive universe.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

The Cross of Lead

By Avi · Book #1 in the Crispin series

A young fugitive must outwit his pursuers in medieval England to survive.

Newbery Medal (2003)
262 pages· 48,501 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 28,771 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In medieval England, young Crispin is declared a 'wolf's head,' marked for death for a crime he didn't commit. Fleeing with only his mother's cross of lead, he encounters Bear, a mysterious man who challenges him to think independently. As enemies close in, Crispin is drawn into a perilous fortress, where he must navigate treachery and danger to save lives. Will he find freedom or fall victim to the forces against him? This gripping tale of survival and courage is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2019

Flight for Freedom

A family risks all to escape East Germany in a homemade balloon.

50 pages· 992 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 439 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In East Germany, young Peter dreams of freedom. His family secretly builds a hot air balloon in their attic, hoping to soar over the Berlin Wall. As they piece together their daring escape plan, the stakes are life and death. Will their courage and ingenuity lead them to freedom, or will they be caught in their perilous flight? Discover the true story of Peter Wetzel's family's brave journey to escape oppression in 1979. This tale of hope and resilience offers a gripping glimpse into a family's quest for liberty against all odds.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

The Gauntlet

Trapped in a magical board game, three friends must escape to save themselves and others.

304 pages· 50,876 words· Est. 7 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo·3.7/5 Goodreads · 1,958 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Farah and her friends are pulled into The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand, a mechanical board game with a sinister twist. To escape, they must outsmart the game's cunning creator and rescue Farah's baby brother, Ahmed. As they navigate this steampunk world filled with puzzles and dangers, the stakes rise with every move. Can they dismantle the game before it's too late, or will they remain prisoners forever? Discover the secrets hidden within the game's intricate design and the courage needed to face its challenges.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Over and Out

A young girl must spy for the secret police or risk losing her family, but dreams of escape.

352 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 486 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In Cold War East Berlin, young Sophie is trapped behind the Wall, forced to spy for the Stasi to protect her disabled mother. When she discovers family in the West, Sophie sees a chance for freedom. Can she invent a way out and defy the oppressive regime? Her journey is fraught with danger, as she navigates a world of secrets and betrayal. Will her ingenuity be enough to escape and change her destiny? This gripping tale of courage and resilience explores the lengths one will go to for freedom and the power of hope in the darkest times.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Payback

By Gordon Korman · Book #3 in the Masterminds series

Clones on the run face betrayal, secrets, and danger to end Project Osiris.

336 pages· 62,133 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,418 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In the thrilling conclusion of the Masterminds trilogy, clones Eli, Tori, Amber, and Malik are on the run after a friend's betrayal. Separated into pairs, they must navigate a world of danger. Malik, drawn to a criminal life by his DNA donor, risks everything, while Eli and Tori uncover deeper conspiracies. As they seek to end Project Osiris, they must confront their darkest selves. Will they succeed, or will the secrets of their origins destroy them? A surprising ally and a cross-country chase add to the suspense in this gripping adventure.
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Escapes Picture Books

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

The Escape of Robert Smalls

Ages 9–12 · 2019

An enslaved man risks all to steal a Confederate ship and sail to freedom.

The Greatest Skating Race

Ages 9–12 · 2004

A young skater must guide children to safety across frozen canals during wartime, evading soldiers and danger.

A Girl Called Genghis Khan

Ages 6–9 · 2019

A girl defies threats to pursue her passion for sports.

This is Not My Hat

Ages 4–8 · 2012

A character steals a hat from a big fish and tries to hide in a dense plant area.

The Octopus Escapes

Ages 3–7 · 2021

An octopus plans a daring escape from captivity.

The Great Escape from City Zoo

Ages 3–8 · 1999

Zoo animals escape to live among humans, pursued by zookeepers.

Inky's Great Escape

Ages 5–10 · 2017

An octopus plans a daring escape from the aquarium. Will he succeed?

View all escapes picture books
Browse by age

Escapes Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about escapes for developing and independent readers.

I Escaped North Korea!

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A young boy risks everything to escape North Korea's oppression.

The Great Art Caper

Ages 6–10 · 2017

A group of animal friends try to stop a villainous plot to ruin an art show

Grandpa's Great Escape

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A boy helps his grandfather escape a sinister care home, believing he's back in WWII.

Escape from Falaise

Ages 10–15 · 2021

Captured in a foreign land, two Rangers must outwit a cunning baron to escape and save a prince.

Who Was Harry Houdini?

Ages 8–11 · 2002

A biography about Harry Houdini, a famous magician and escape artist.

Lockdown

Ages 12–17 · 2009

Escape the world's most secure prison or face horrors beyond death.

Escape from Alcatraz

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Three men escape Alcatraz, vanishing without a trace. Did they survive or perish in the bay?

No Way Out

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Escape the haunted grounds or be trapped forever by a shadowy foe.

Kaya's Escape!

Ages 8–10 · 2002

Captured by raiders, Kaya must escape and protect her sister.

The Palace of Laughter

Ages 8–12 · 2006

An orphan's life changes at a mysterious circus. Can he save his friends?

Escape from East Berlin

Ages 10–13 · 2022

Two daring escapes from East Berlin challenge the divide of the Berlin Wall.

Sale price
$799

Harry Houdini: Young Magician

Ages 8–11 · 1991

Discover the early life of a legendary magician and his path to greatness.

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