Book Lists for Book Week: A.L Tait’s Books That Take You into the Unknown

Words || A.L. Tait

As a kid, I loved adventure stories. There is nothing quite like the delicious feeling of embarking on an epic, dangerous journey while safely tucked up between clean sheets. I think that ‘closet adventurer’ feeling stayed with me my whole life, right up to the point where I started writing my own stories. The novels I’ve chosen here are all perfect for kids aged 10+. The worlds are all very different, the hero of each unique, but a common thread runs through them – adventure, excitement and a journey the unknown.

The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty

The first thing I noticed about this book was the beautiful cover, which makes it a gorgeous gift. When her parents die, Bronte must deliver gifts to a legion of aunts in the four corners of the world, and is thrown into a wild adventure, featuring dragons, pirates and more. I love the abundance of aunts.

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials) by Philip Pullman

With the recent release of The Book Of Dust, it’s worth plunging into Pullman’s wonderful world and discovering that one small girl can make a big difference.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

At first glance, you may not think this is an adventure story, but when Pax and his boy Peter are separated, each goes on a journey to find the other. It reminded me of Jack London’s classic novels but has a special beauty all of its own.

Escape From Mr Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Any story that combines games, clues, puzzles and celebrity librarians is okay by me. This book was a smash hit in my house, with kids and adults (okay, me) alike.

The Ranger’s Apprentice (series) by John Flanagan

The only thing better than finding a great adventure story full of excitement, fun and great characters is discovering that there are 11 more books in the series, plus prequels, AND a spin-off series called Brotherband. Flanagan’s books may not be set in Australia, but the voice and humour could only come from here.

About the Author:

A.L. Tait grew up dreaming of world domination. Unfortunately, at the time there were only alphabet sisters B. L. and C. A. and long-suffering brother M. D. M. to practise on . . . and parents who didn’t look kindly upon sword fights, plank-walking or bows and arrows. But dreams don’t die and The Mapmaker Chronicles and The Ateban Cipher, the author’s two series of books for children, are the result. A. L. lives in country New South Wales with a family, a garden, three goldfish and a very cheeky border collie.