Books About Post-apocalyptic Worlds

The Best Post-apocalyptic Worlds Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about post-apocalyptic worlds? 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.

#1 in Series

Series

#3 in Series

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Post-apocalyptic Worlds

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2010

Ship Breaker

By Paolo Bacigalupi · Book #1 in the Ship Breaker series

A teen scavenger must choose between survival and saving a wealthy shipwreck survivor.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2010)Michael L. Printz Award (2011)

326 pages· 74,322 words· Est. 7 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 45,192 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In a future Gulf Coast ravaged by climate change, Nailer, a young scavenger, toils on grounded oil tankers. When a hurricane reveals a luxurious clipper ship, he faces a life-altering choice: strip it for parts or save its sole survivor, a rich girl who might offer a path to a better life. As loyalties clash and survival hangs in the balance, Nailer must decide what kind of future he truly desires. Will he seize the chance for change, or will the harsh realities of his world hold him back?

Chapter Book · 2015

Sweet's Journey

Survivors series

A fearless canine's journey to find her place in a wild pack.

60 pages· 17,622 words

4.3 Goodreads · 617 ratings

Kindle Edition

Summary: In a world reshaped by the Big Growl, Sweet's journey to becoming the Wild Pack's fearless Beta unfolds. Separated from Lucky, she must navigate a treacherous forest and confront new challenges. Will Sweet find her place among the pack, or will the wild claim her? Discover the untold story of survival and leadership in this gripping prequel.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

The Vanishing

By Christopher Holt, Greg Call (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Last Dogs series

A dog searches for his vanished family in a world without humans.

369 pages· 77,779 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 1,636 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Max, a yellow Labrador, embarks on a perilous journey to find his missing family in a world devoid of humans. With his friends Rocky and Gizmo, he seeks the wise Madame Curie, who may hold the key to their whereabouts. Facing wolves, scavenging for food, and navigating a deceptive dog society, the trio must outsmart every danger. Can they uncover the truth and reunite with their loved ones before it's too late?

Sale price

$1748

Chapter Book · Ages 15–18

Attack on Titan, Vol. 1

By ISAYAMA HAJIME

In a world where humans are under attack by giant humanoid creatures, a young boy named Eren joins the military to fight back and reclaim the world for humanity

191 pages· 5,481 words· Est. 31 min read

4.5 Goodreads · 313,237 ratings

$18.40Save 5%

Paperback

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Thrilling Tales from the Tree House

By Max Brallier, Douglas Holgate (Illustrator), Jay Cooper (Illustrator), Anoosha Syed (Illustrator), Lorena Alvarez (Illustrator), Christopher Mitten (Illustrator), Xavier Bonet (Illustrator)

Kids swap wild tales of survival in a monster-zombie apocalypse.

208 pages· 12,446 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 853 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, Jack and his friends gather in their treehouse to share daring tales of survival. As each story unfolds, the kids reveal their thrilling and hilarious adventures battling monsters and zombies. But amidst the laughter, the mystery of two missing villains looms. Can these young heroes uncover the truth before it's too late? Dive into a world where friendship and bravery collide in unexpected ways.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Into the Shadows

By Erin Hunter, Laszlo Kubinyi (Illustrator), Julia Green (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Survivors: The Gathering Darkness series

A traitor lurks within the Pack, threatening its survival.

336 pages· 58,373 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.4 Goodreads · 900 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Storm faces a dire challenge as a hidden traitor threatens to tear her Pack apart from within. With suspicion growing and trust eroding, she must uncover the saboteur before it's too late. Can Storm protect her Pack from itself, or will the darkness consume them all? The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in this thrilling adventure.

The Broken Path

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

The Broken Path

By Erin Hunter · Book #4 in the Survivors series

Dogs seek a safe haven but face a new, menacing pack.

336 pages· 59,879 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 2,622 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a world where survival is uncertain, Lucky and Alpha's fragile truce is tested as their pack searches for a safe home. Tensions simmer, and danger lurks in every territory. When they encounter a fearsome new pack, the stakes rise, threatening their unity and survival. Can they find safety, or will the new threat tear them apart? Discover the thrilling journey of loyalty, courage, and the relentless quest for a place to call home.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2016

Gears of Revolution

By J. Scott Savage · Book #2 in the Mysteries of Cove series

Teens on a mechanical dragon uncover a city at war, facing trust dilemmas and gathering dragons.

352 pages· 90,310 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 1,255 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Trenton and Kallista embark on a quest aboard their mechanical dragon, seeking Kallista's missing father. Instead, they find a city torn by conflict between scavengers and dragon-worshippers. As they navigate this dangerous world, they meet Plucky, a girl with mechanical legs, and Ander, who believes in human-dragon communication. Can they trust these new allies, or are they ensnared in a deadly trap? Meanwhile, dragons ominously gather in the skies, hinting at a greater mystery. Will Trenton and Kallista uncover the truth, or will they become pawns in a war they barely understand?

The Beast of Buckingham Palace

Sale price

$2089

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2019

The Beast of Buckingham Palace

By David Walliams, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

In 2120, a young prince must save his mother and a ruined London from mysterious threats.

464 pages· 41,678 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 6,294 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a crumbling London of 2120, young Prince Alfred's sheltered life shatters when mysterious forces invade Buckingham Palace. With his mother, the Queen, imprisoned in the Tower, Alfred must confront monsters and legends to rescue her and save the city. Can he muster the courage to face the unknown and protect his world?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2012

Outpost

By Ann Aguirre · Book #2 in the The Razorland Trilogy series

A fighter in a new world must face evolving monsters threatening her community's survival.

317 pages· 92,485 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 33,657 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Deuce, once a respected Hunter, now struggles to fit into Salvation, where she's seen as a misfit. Her partner, Fade, grows distant, leaving her isolated. Seeking purpose, she joins the summer patrols, guarding the fields. But the surface world is changing; the Freaks are becoming smarter and more dangerous. As they plot against Salvation, Deuce must confront her fears and find a way to protect her new home. Can she rise to the challenge and save the town from impending doom?

The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

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

Find their book club

Browse by age

Post-apocalyptic Worlds Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about post-apocalyptic worlds for developing and independent readers.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1199

The Enemy

Ages 13–17 · 2009

Kids fight for survival in a monster-infested London.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1500

Zom-B City

Ages 12–17 · 2013

In a zombie-ravaged London, survival means choosing between the undead and sinister allies.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$999

This World We Live In

Ages 12–+ · 2010

Survival in a frozen world tests love and loyalty.

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$899

One Trick Pony

Ages 8–12 · 2017

In a future overrun by alien blobs, a robot pony may be Earth's last hope.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1899

The Kill Order

Ages 12–17 · 2012

A deadly virus spreads chaos in a post-apocalyptic world. Can survival be achieved when every life has a price?

Sale price

$1799

Outside

Ages 9–12 · 2025

A girl raised in an isolated refuge dreams of the outside world while grappling with loss, survival, and the unsettling changes within herself after receiving a life-saving heart transplant.