Books About Scientific Discovery

The Best Scientific Discovery Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about scientific discovery? 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 Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
#1 in Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Scientific Discovery

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall

By Ali Standish · Book #1 in the The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall series

Young Arthur Conan Doyle faces danger and mystery at a secret school for gifted children.

336 pages· 69,142 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,326 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Arthur Conan Doyle, a young boy with a brilliant mind, is thrilled to attend Baskerville Hall, a secretive school for gifted children. There, he befriends the daring Irene and the clever Jimmie Moriarty. As they navigate a world of mysterious towers and prowling wolves, Arthur makes dangerous enemies. Invited to join the secret society, the Clover, they must pass daunting tests. But as Arthur delves deeper, he uncovers a mystery that promises thrilling adventures and perilous challenges. Will Arthur and his friends unravel the secrets before it's too late?
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

The Day the World Went Nuclear

A deadly decision looms as WWII nears its end in the Pacific.

320 pages· 33,019 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 966 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the final days of World War II, American soldiers face relentless foes in the Pacific. Meanwhile, Dr. Oppenheimer and his team in Los Alamos prepare to test a devastating new weapon. As President Truman grapples with the monumental decision to use the atom bomb, the fate of countless lives hangs in the balance. Will this weapon bring peace or unleash unprecedented destruction? Discover the gripping story of a world on the brink of a new era.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

Saves the Future

Time travel, danger, and a mystery from the past threaten Max's mission to end child hunger.

352 pages· 44,887 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 720 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Max faces a thrilling adventure involving time travel, sinister foes, and a quest to uncover her mysterious past. Constantly pursued by a shadowy Corporation, she races from New York to London. Her mission: ensure no child goes hungry. But as clues about her origins emerge, Max is torn between solving the mystery of her parents and the future of the Change Makers. Can she balance her personal quest with the world's needs, or will her past consume her? Dive into a world where the stakes are high, and every decision could change everything.
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021

The Stuff Between the Stars

By Sandra Nickel, Aimee Sicuro (Illustrator)

A female astronomer defies odds to uncover the universe's hidden secrets.

48 pages· 1,376 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 329 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer, battles skepticism in a male-dominated field to unveil the universe's hidden force—dark matter. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge challenges the scientific community and reshapes our cosmic understanding. As she navigates a world that doubts her, Vera's discoveries illuminate the mysteries of the night sky, inspiring future generations to gaze upward with wonder. What secrets lie in the vastness above, and how will one woman's determination change everything we know about the stars? Dive into a tale of perseverance and passion that redefines our place in the cosmos.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–10 · 2012

Giant Squid

A hidden sea monster eludes scientists, leaving scars and mysteries in its wake.

48 pages· 5,682 words· Est. 48 min read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 160 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In the shadowy depths of the ocean, a colossal creature stirs—a giant squid, nearly 50 feet long, with tentacles that leave scars on its foes. Despite its size, it remains a mystery, rarely seen by human eyes. Ocean scientist Clyde Roper has dedicated his life to uncovering the secrets of this elusive beast. What truths lie beneath the waves? Why does this creature evade capture and understanding? Join Roper and his team as they dive into the unknown, seeking answers to the enigma of the giant squid. Will they finally reveal the secrets of this legendary sea monster?
Chapter Book · Ages 11–+ · 1912

The Lost World

Trapped in a prehistoric world, explorers face dinosaurs and ancient threats.

172 pages· 74,684 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 74,502 ratings
$6.00Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Join Professor Challenger and his team as they venture into the Amazon's uncharted plateau, only to find themselves stranded in a land where dinosaurs roam and apemen rule. With civilization out of reach, they must navigate this perilous world and its ancient conflicts. Will they survive the primeval dangers and return to tell their tale, or become part of the lost world forever? Discover the thrilling adventure that challenges the boundaries of time and survival.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2017

The Golden Compass Graphic Novel, Complete Edition

A girl embarks on a perilous journey to save kidnapped children and alter the fate of worlds.

224 pages· 16,032 words· Est. 3 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,044 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Lyra, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny, ventures to the far north to rescue kidnapped children. Her journey involves armored bears, mystical devices, and a daring escape by hot-air balloon. As she becomes entangled in Lord Asriel's ambitious plans to bridge worlds, Lyra's choices could change the fate of multiple realms. Will she succeed in her quest, or will the forces against her prove too powerful? Experience this epic tale in a stunning graphic novel adaptation that brings the fantastical world of His Dark Materials to vivid life.
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2014

Patient Zero (Revised Edition)

Uncover the perilous quest to trace deadly diseases back to their origins.

192 pages· 38,465 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 538 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the perilous world of epidemiology, where unsung heroes risk everything to trace the origins of deadly diseases. From Spanish Influenza to Covid-19, these gripping tales reveal the relentless pursuit to identify 'patient zero' and halt the spread of epidemics. As they face skepticism and danger, these pioneers unravel the mysteries of eight major outbreaks, offering a riveting glimpse into the high-stakes battle against invisible enemies. Will they succeed in their race against time?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Doctor Dolittle The Complete Collection, Vol. 4: Doctor Dolittle in the Moon; Doctor Dolittle's Return; Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake; Gub-Gub's Book

A doctor who talks to animals uncovers lunar secrets and ancient mysteries.

880 pages· 206,287 words· Est. 28.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 43 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: Join Doctor Dolittle, the eccentric naturalist who converses with animals, as he embarks on a cosmic journey to the moon, uncovering its secrets and meeting the enigmatic Moon Man. Back on Earth, he races to Africa to save Mudface, a turtle from Noah's Ark, and reveals the tale of The Great Flood. Meanwhile, Gub Gub the pig pens an encyclopedia of food. Will Dolittle's discoveries change the world, or will they remain hidden mysteries? Dive into this classic adventure filled with wonder and whimsy.
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2013

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Uncover the secrets of the mighty T. Rex through its ancient bones.

32 pages· 1,064 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 3 ratings
$32.80Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: Journey into the past as paleontologists unravel the mysteries of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Discover how its colossal bones reveal secrets of its fearsome behavior and the world it once ruled. What truths lie hidden in the fossilized remains of history's greatest predator?
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Scientific Discovery Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about scientific discovery for developing and independent readers.

Jacques Cousteau

Ages 10–12 · 2008

Dive into the thrilling underwater adventures of a pioneering oceanographer who changed how we see the sea.

Finding the Titanic

Ages 10–12 · 2017

A sunken ship's secrets resurface after 73 years beneath the ocean's depths.

The Coral Kingdom

Ages 6–9 · 2021

A new mermaid must solve the mystery of damaged coral caves.

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