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.

My Favorite Color Is Your Something Blue

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Lakes

Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2024

Spooky Lakes

By Geo Rutherford · Haunted Hydrology series

Explore eerie lakes where nature's mysteries and dangers lurk beneath the surface.

91 pages· 19,537 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.5 Goodreads · 2,724 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Join Geo Rutherford on a chilling journey through 25 of the world's most mysterious lakes. Discover Lake Natron's mummifying waters, Lake Maracaibo's relentless lightning, and the preserved crew of the USS Kamloops in Lake Superior. Uncover the science behind these wonders and the urgent need to protect our natural world. With vivid illustrations and captivating tales, each lake reveals secrets that challenge our understanding of nature's power. Will you dare to dive into these spooky waters and uncover their hidden truths?

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

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 · 24,040 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

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 2022

The Monster in the Lake

By Leo Timmers

Ducks venture to a big lake, uncovering a hidden underwater world.

36 pages· 116 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 472 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Eric, a cautious duck, joins his adventurous friends on a journey to a mysterious lake rumored to harbor a monster. As they dive into the unknown, Eric discovers a mesmerizing underwater realm filled with mechanical wonders and sea creatures. Will Eric's fears be realized, or will he find the courage to embrace the adventure? This tale of bravery and discovery explores the balance between caution and curiosity, inviting readers to dive into the unknown.

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 · 3,478 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

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

The Free State of Jax

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

A boy creates his own nation to escape bullies, uncovering secrets that threaten his newfound freedom.

352 pages· 70,186 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 457 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Jaxon Averett, tired of his neglectful relatives, declares independence by founding his own micronation on a lake. As his new realm thrives with the help of friends, Jaxon faces threats from his family and a mystery involving a missing brother and lost fortune. With everything at stake, Jaxon must decide if uncovering the truth is worth risking his dream of freedom. Will he find the courage to stand up for what's right, even if it means losing everything he's built?

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2023

My Favorite Color Is Your Something Blue

By Eva Austin

A wedding weekend in a tiny lake town throws together two teens who got off to a bad start.

200 pages

4.1 Goodreads · 1,608 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Morgan expects a dull weekend at her old babysitter's wedding in a remote lake town. Then the couple tries to set her up with the groom's younger cousin, Will Jameson, who everyone says is sweet. Morgan already met him once, and it went badly. A clean, dual-perspective teen romantic comedy.

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 · 6,330 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 · 1,246 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 · 1,851 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.

The Bookroo Book Club