Books About Flying Machines

The Best Flying Machines Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Aviation Books, featuring 15 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about flying machines? 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 Flying Machines

Goodnight Opus
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 7–+ · 1993

Goodnight Opus

By Berkeley Breathed

A penguin's bedtime story turns into a magical adventure.

32 pages· 873 words· Est. 10 min read
4.5 Goodreads · 912 ratings
$15.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Opus the penguin, tired of the same bedtime story, decides to change its ending. This bold move whisks him away on a fantastical journey with a beast sporting taffy blue toes. As they venture into the unknown, Opus discovers that altering a story can lead to thrilling and unpredictable adventures. Will Opus find his way back, or will this new tale become his reality? Dive into a world where imagination knows no bounds and every page turn brings a new surprise.
Mission Hindenburg
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Mission Hindenburg

By C. Alexander London · Book #2 in the The 39 Clues: Doublecross series

A mysterious foe recreates history's worst disasters. Can the Cahills stop him in time?

190 pages· 40,530 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 4,154 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: The Cahill siblings, Dan and Amy, face a chilling challenge from a mysterious figure known as The Outcast. He's recreating history's worst disasters, and the young Cahills must unravel his cryptic clues to prevent catastrophe. With one disaster averted, they race against time to decipher the next threat—a modern twist on the Hindenburg explosion. As they split up and take to the skies, the stakes couldn't be higher. Can they outsmart The Outcast before their world is shattered?
Escape at 10,000 Feet
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2089
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Escape at 10,000 Feet

By Tom Sullivan · Book #1 in the Unsolved Case Files series

Unravel the mystery of America's only unsolved airplane hijacking.

104 pages· 4,149 words· Est. 37 min read
4.1 Goodreads · 875 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On November 24, 1971, a mysterious man boards a flight in Portland, demanding $200,000 and parachutes, threatening to detonate a bomb. Dive into the gripping true story of D.B. Cooper, the elusive hijacker who vanished without a trace. This graphic nonfiction series combines comic panels, FBI documents, and photos to captivate sleuths and history buffs. Will you uncover the secrets behind this unsolved case?
I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937

By Lauren Tarshis · Book #13 in the I Survived series

A young boy and his family board the Hindenburg airship to travel from Germany to America, but their journey is disrupted by a mysterious spy and a catastrophic event

112 pages· 11,583 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 5,130 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Eleven-year-old Hugo Ballard's dream journey on the Hindenburg becomes a nightmare when a sudden explosion engulfs the zeppelin in flames. Separated from his family, Hugo must navigate the chaos and find a way to survive the historic disaster. As the mighty airship plummets, will Hugo escape the inferno and reunite with his loved ones, or will the Hindenburg's fate become his own? The clock is ticking in this gripping tale of courage and survival.
Airborn
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2004

Airborn

By Kenneth Oppel · Book #1 in the Airborn series

A cabin boy discovers mysterious sky creatures, challenging his beliefs and igniting an adventure above the clouds.

Michael L. Printz Honor (2005)
501 pages· 101,042 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 26,795 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Mass Market Paperback
Summary: Matt Cruse, a cabin boy on the airship Aurora, dreams of soaring through the skies. His life takes a thrilling turn when he encounters a dying balloonist who speaks of mythical sky creatures. As Matt befriends the balloonist's granddaughter, he uncovers the truth behind these mysterious beings. With pirates and uncharted skies ahead, Matt's journey becomes a swashbuckling adventure filled with danger and discovery. Will he unravel the secrets of the skies, or will the unknown prove too perilous? Embark on a high-flying quest where the air is alive with wonders beyond imagination.
Behemoth
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2010

Behemoth

By Scott Westerfeld, Keith Thompson (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Leviathan series

A girl and an heir must survive enemy territory to stop a war.

481 pages· 85,513 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 41,888 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: In a world at war, Deryn, disguised as a boy, and Alek, an incognito heir, unite aboard the airship Leviathan. Their mission: to end the conflict between Darwinists and Clanker Powers. But when disaster strikes, they are stranded in hostile lands, hunted and alone. With only their wits and courage, they must forge new alliances and navigate treacherous paths. Can they alter the course of war, or will they fall victim to the very forces they seek to defeat?
What Was the Hindenburg?
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

What Was the Hindenburg?

By Janet B. Pascal, Who HQ, David Groff (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

Discover the mystery behind the Hindenburg's fiery demise.

112 pages· 8,210 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 517 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg, a massive airship, burst into flames while landing in New Jersey. In less than a minute, it was destroyed, leaving only 62 survivors from 97 aboard. The cause of this tragic disaster remains a mystery. Dive into the historical enigma and explore the events leading to the catastrophe that shocked the world.
Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue

By Jeff Seymour, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Nadya Skylung series

Pirates attack a flying ship. Can Nadya save her crew and uncover their true target?

320 pages· 72,268 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 127 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Nadya Skylung, a young orphan aboard the cloudship Orion, faces a dire challenge when pirates attack, capturing the crew. With only her loyal friends, Nadya must reclaim the ship and rescue her makeshift family. As they navigate this perilous mission, questions arise: Was the attack random, or is Nadya the true target? In a world where ships soar through the skies, Nadya's courage and determination will be tested to their limits. Can she unravel the mystery and save those she loves, or will the pirates' sinister plans prevail?
The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011

The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont

By Victoria Griffith, Eva Montanari (Illustrator)

A Brazilian aviator races to be the first to fly a self-propelled plane.

32 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 222 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In early 1900s Paris, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont dreams of perfecting flight. As he transforms his dirigible into a winged marvel, a rival challenges him to be the first in the sky. With suspenseful landings and daring innovations, Alberto's journey captures the spirit of aviation's golden age. Will his ambition and ingenuity make him the first to conquer the skies with a self-propelled plane? Discover the thrilling tale of a pioneer who soared above the City of Light, leaving a lasting mark on history.
Night Flights
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2018

Night Flights

By Philip Reeve, Ian McQue (Illustrator)

In a world of devouring cities, a fearless aviatrix faces her past and deadly foes.

208 pages· 23,940 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 2,754 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a future where cities devour each other, Anna Fang, a daring aviatrix and spy, confronts her past as a slave and battles a rogue robotic Stalker. Her journey through these gripping tales reveals her transformation into a key player in the Anti-Traction league. Will her courage be enough to navigate the dangers of a world where survival is uncertain? Discover the thrilling moments that shaped Anna's life and her fight against the relentless city of London. Each story unveils a new layer of her daring adventures and the high stakes she faces.
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door every month.

BoardAges 0–3PictureAges 3–6Junior ChapterAges 7–10Middle GradeAges 9–12
Books from a Bookroo book club in their box
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Flying Machines Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about flying machines for the youngest readers and listeners.

Planes
Sale price
$799

Planes

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover the wonders of flight with a colorful journey through planes, jets, and rockets.

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Browse by age

Flying Machines Picture Books

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

A Voyage in the Clouds
Sale price
$1799

A Voyage in the Clouds

Ages 4–8 · 2016

Two men risk everything to be the first to fly across the English Channel.

The Flying Girl
Sale price
$1899

The Flying Girl

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A young girl defies norms to become the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft.

Anything Is Possible
Sale price
$1695

Anything Is Possible

Ages 4–7 · 2011

A sheep and wolf defy the odds to build a flying machine together.

A Dream of Flight
Sale price
$1899

A Dream of Flight

Ages 4–8 · 2019

An inventor risks it all to win a daring airship race around the Eiffel Tower.

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Browse by age

Flying Machines Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about flying machines for developing and independent readers.

Taking Off
#2 in Series
Sale price
$799

Taking Off

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A girl must find her lost dog and sister in the woods overnight.

Predator's Gold
#2 in Series
Sale price
$1499

Predator's Gold

Ages 12–17 · 2003

In a world of moving cities, danger lurks as Tom and Hester seek refuge in a haunted ice city.

The Sky Phantom
#53 in Series
Sale price
$899

The Sky Phantom

Ages 8–12 · 1976

A hijacked plane, a missing pilot, and a stolen pony lead to a thrilling chase.

Death by Airship
Series
Sale price
$995

Death by Airship

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A prince must clear his name as his siblings are mysteriously murdered one by one.

Project F
Sale price
$1799

Project F

Ages 8–12 · 2023

A boy discovers a secret project that could change the world, but at what cost?

View all flying machines chapter books