Books About Lakes

The Best Lakes Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Lake and Pond Books, featuring 13 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about lakes? 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.

#62 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Lakes

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2007

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

By Mary Downing Hahn

A ghostly secret resurfaces, threatening a family's summer retreat.

208 pages· 50,978 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 23,918 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Ali's summer at a lake house turns eerie when she meets Sissy, a spiteful child who influences her niece, Emma. As Sissy's dangerous dares escalate, Ali uncovers a chilling truth: Sissy is the ghost of Teresa, a girl who drowned years ago, and she blames Ali's family for her death. Can Ali unravel the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 1971

Bears in the Night

By Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain · The Berenstain Bears Beginner Books series

A person goes on a journey out of their bedroom window and back again.

36 pages· 110 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 3,465 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Embark on a lively adventure with the Bears as they navigate a world of unexpected twists, moving in, out, around, and about. This playful journey is filled with slapstick humor and vibrant illustrations, perfect for young readers just beginning to explore the magic of words. What surprises await the Bears as they venture through their colorful escapades? Discover the joy of reading with this delightful tale that combines simple language with engaging storytelling, inviting children to dive into a world where every page brings a new surprise.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Half a Chance

By Cynthia Lord

A young photographer's lens uncovers hidden truths and challenges her perception of beauty and family.

224 pages· 41,857 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 6,325 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Lucy, a budding photographer, moves to a lakeside home and enters a photo contest judged by her famous father. As she captures the world around her, she befriends Nate, whose grandmother's fading memory casts a shadow over their summer. Through her lens, Lucy discovers the power of art to reveal truths and transform lives. Will her photos meet her father's high standards, and can she help Nate face the changes in his family? This summer, Lucy learns that beauty and truth are intertwined in unexpected ways.

Sale price

$1139

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1998

Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest

By Steve Jenkins

Explore Earth's wonders through majestic landscapes and natural marvels.

Orbis Pictus Honor (1999)

32 pages· 831 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.0 Goodreads · 254 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Embark on a journey through Earth's majestic landscapes, from towering mountains to mysterious lakes. Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, captured in vivid cut paper collages. What secrets will you uncover?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Trespassers

By Breena Bard · Book #1 in the Trespassers series

A summer mystery leads Gabby to an abandoned lake house. How far will she go to uncover the truth?

256 pages· 10,836 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 1,236 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Gabby Woods, a mystery enthusiast, faces a real-life puzzle when a glamorous couple vanishes, leaving behind an opulent lake house. Teaming up with the sharp-witted Paige, Gabby is drawn into a web of secrets. As they trespass to gather clues, each visit reveals deeper mysteries and hints of foul play. Gabby must weigh the risks of uncovering the truth against the potential fallout on her friendship with Paige. Will solving the mystery be worth the danger and the strain on their bond?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Undrowned

A deadly push, a vanished friend, and a chilling return. Who's haunting whom?

240 pages· 32,141 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 1,830 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Samantha and Rachel were once friends until betrayal turned them into enemies. A heated confrontation by the lake ends with Rachel disappearing beneath the water. But the next day, Rachel is back, unscathed, and ready to turn the tables. As Samantha grapples with the impossible, she must face a new nightmare: Rachel's mysterious return and her own dark secrets. What really happened at the lake, and how far will Rachel go for revenge? Dive into a suspenseful tale of friendship, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of a single moment.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1988

Megan's Island

By Willo Davis Roberts

A family flees in the night, but what are they running from?

288 pages· 48,675 words· Est. 7 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 581 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Megan is no stranger to moving, but this time it's different. Her family leaves in the dead of night, her mother visibly scared. As they head to a lake cottage, mysterious strangers begin to follow them. What danger lurks in the shadows, and why are they on the run? Megan must uncover the truth before it's too late.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2018

Listen to Your Heart

By Kasie West

A podcast host falls for her best friend's crush. Can she follow her own advice?

336 pages· 71,008 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 21,983 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Kate Bailey prefers solitude on the lake, but when she becomes the unexpected host of her high school's podcast, she discovers a knack for giving advice. An anonymous caller seeking help about a crush complicates things when Kate suspects it's Diego Martinez, her best friend's interest. As Kate's own feelings for Diego grow, she faces a dilemma: can she navigate her heart's desires while staying true to her friendship? In this charming tale of love and secrets, Kate learns that giving advice is easy, but following it is a whole different story.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1998

The Mystery of the Lake Monster

Book #62 in the The Boxcar Children series

Strange noises and footprints hint at a lake monster. Is it real?

128 pages· 15,809 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 485 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Vacationing at Lake Lucille, the Alden siblings encounter rumors of a lake monster. As strange noises echo and mysterious footprints appear, they must uncover the truth. Is there really a creature lurking beneath the waters, or is something else at play? Dive into a mystery where every clue could lead to danger or discovery.

Sale price

$2577

Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2005

Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers

By Melanie Ostopowich · Water Science series

Explore the vital roles of oceans, lakes, and rivers in sustaining life.

24 pages· 1,288 words· Est. 11 min read

4.0 Goodreads · 1 ratings

$27.13Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Dive into the essential world of water, where oceans, lakes, and rivers sustain life on Earth. Discover their unique roles and importance through engaging diagrams and experiments. What secrets do these waters hold?

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