10 Best Choose Your Own Adventure Books in 2022 (Neil Patrick Harris, Ryan North, and More)
Our favorite children's CYOAB is What Should Dylan Do. We love the immersive and fun nature of this social skills book for kids; our pick of CYOAB for adults is Heart of Ice. You won't find a more gorgeously-written and in-depth story of this format. Read on to see our other choices!
Quick List - Top Choose Your Own Adventure Books
Ganit and Adir Levy
One of a Beloved Series Packed with Big Lessons
Tracey West
This Video Game-Themed Story is Perfect for Kids
DM Potter and Blair Polly
Kids and Parents Alike Love This Stunning Fantasy
Danny McAleese and David Kristoph
For the Indiana Jones Lover Who Craves Adventure
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Table of Contents
- 5 Best Choose Your Own Adventure Books Ranking
- No. 1Ganit and Adir Levy | What Should Danny Do?｜Hardback, The Power to Choose Series
- No. 2Tracey West | Plants vs. Zombies: Plant Your Path ｜Paperback, Junior Novel
- No. 3DM Potter and Blair Polly | Four You Say Which Way Adventures｜Paperback, 4 in 1
- No. 4Danny McAleese and David Kristoph | Treasures of the Forgotten City｜ Paperback, Ultimate Ending
- No. 5Emily Conolan | Touch the Sun ｜Paperback, Freedom Finders
- 5 Best Choose Your Own Adventure Books for Adults
- Looking for More Ways to Whittle the Time Away?
How to Choose Choose Your Own Adventure Books
As with choosing any format of book, the best CYOAB for you will ultimately rely on your personal tastes. But do you know where to start looking? We've created a quick buying guide to help you find the best choose your own adventure book for your shelf.
Search in Your Favorite Genre
In fact, the ability to spin the plot in so many directions opens up the possibility for some serious genre-crossing that a book with just one plot path could never even hope to achieve. We recommend searching within your favorite genre to find the CYOAB you'll enjoy the most.
Decide How Many Endings You Want
The pros of having a large number of endings are that you'll have more fun exploring your many options and that the ways your character will develop tend to be more diverse. Many endings tend to be preferable to a reader who's fond of the RPG-style choose your own adventure book.
The downside to having so many endings is that the storylines will most likely be shorter and the characters less fleshed out. If you're in this for a solid character arc and engaging story, you might want to look for a CYOAB with fewer endings.
Try Going Digital to Avoid Spoilers
The eBook's digital format has made CYOABs easier to navigate for readers. For example, you can take the magician’s advice with a tap of the finger rather than having to thumb through several pages and accidentally spoiling one of the other endings.
If you're more of an analog person who loves the smell and feel of a physical book, every COAB will come in the original print. If you're an eBook person, we must warn you that older CYOABs aren't always digitalized.
5 Best Choose Your Own Adventure Books Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ganit and Adir Levy What Should Danny Do?｜Hardback, The Power to Choose Series | | One of a Beloved Series Packed with Big Lessons | |
2 | Tracey West Plants vs. Zombies: Plant Your Path ｜Paperback, Junior Novel | | This Video Game-Themed Story is Perfect for Kids | |
3 | DM Potter and Blair Polly Four You Say Which Way Adventures｜Paperback, 4 in 1 | | Kids and Parents Alike Love This Stunning Fantasy | |
4 | Danny McAleese and David Kristoph Treasures of the Forgotten City｜ Paperback, Ultimate Ending | | For the Indiana Jones Lover Who Craves Adventure | |
5 | Emily Conolan Touch the Sun ｜Paperback, Freedom Finders | | Based on True Events, This is a Great Read for Teens |
Ganit and Adir LevyWhat Should Danny Do? ｜ Hardback, The Power to Choose Series
One of a Beloved Series Packed with Big Lessons
Teachers and parents alike laud What Should Danny Do as an approachable and fun book for young children. Designed to teach kids how their choices affect not only their own lives but those of their friends and family, this CYOAB is a great pick for kids as young as three or four.
Parents, teachers, and counselors have all reviewed this book as a must-have for kids who are learning social skills. Reviewers especially enjoy the bonding experience this book offers, as younger readers will want to discuss why "wrong" choices were wrong, and what they could have done differently.
Some parents worry that the consequences for bad choices are too severe, so if your child is easily upset by sad scenes in a story, you might want to read with them or choose a different book. Still, What Should Danny Do is a fun and colorful book that kids typically enjoy!
Tracey WestPlants vs. Zombies: Plant Your Path ｜ Paperback, Junior Novel
This Video Game-Themed Story is Perfect for Kids
Aimed at kids ages six to ten, this book is a great way to get kids who might be a little too screen-focused more interested in reading. It has just a few storylines, which makes it easier to go back and figure out where you went wrong.
Some reviewers have complained that the multiple endings aren't as diverse or unique as they could be. The options seem to boil down to making the right choice or being eaten by zombies. However, as that's closer to what the video game is like, your child may still really enjoy this book!
DM Potter and Blair PollyFour You Say Which Way Adventures ｜ Paperback, 4 in 1
Kids and Parents Alike Love This Stunning Fantasy
In Potter and Polly's Four Your Say Which Way Adventures, you don't just get to choose the ending to your story, but the beginning as well!
Right from the start of your read, you can select between four scenarios for where to start your adventure: a mysterious magician's house, a magical island, a daunting pirate's island, or a dangerous lion country. Then, you build your own story from that point!
Parents admit to being just as entranced by this immersive, beautifully-made book as their kids. Some have warned that the fantasy language might be too complicated for younger readers, though. But if you want to take an immersive fantasy adventure with your child, this is the CYAOB we recommend!
Danny McAleese and David KristophTreasures of the Forgotten City ｜ Paperback, Ultimate Ending
For the Indiana Jones Lover Who Craves Adventure
This may be aimed at younger children, but adult readers have also enjoyed the throwbacks this book offers to classic adventures like Indiana Jones and Lara Croft's Tomb Raider series.
Some parents complain that this book is too easy a read for middle schoolers, so you may want to consider a different CYOAB if your child is a preteen or teenager. Still, this book's multiple endings are just as fun to find as the ultimate one, and it's very close to the classic CYOABs you may have enjoyed when you were young.
Emily ConolanTouch the Sun ｜ Paperback, Freedom Finders
Based on True Events, This is a Great Read for Teens
Teachers and parents have noted that this is an excellent way to teach teenagers about the challenges that less privileged kids their own age must face in the real world. The story is based on many real-life scenarios set in Somalia and offers great chances for discussion after your child is finished reading.
Most reviewers do warn that the bad choice scenarios often lead to grim situations and even death, which might disturb younger readers. If you are giving this book to a younger child, we advise you read it with them, or perhaps simply choose something lighter. Still, Touch the Sun is a unique and empowering CYOAB for teens to learn from.
5 Best Choose Your Own Adventure Books for Adults
CYOABs may seem like they’re mostly for children, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Here are the top five best choose your own adventure books for adults!
Looking for More Ways to Whittle the Time Away?
Who says toys are only for kids? Below, we’ve researched some other fun activities that will keep you occupied, whether you're seven or 77.
Top 5 Choose Your Own Adventure Books
No. 1: Ganit and Adir Levy｜What Should Danny Do?｜Hardback, The Power to Choose Series
No. 2: Tracey West｜Plants vs. Zombies: Plant Your Path ｜Paperback, Junior Novel
No. 3: DM Potter and Blair Polly｜Four You Say Which Way Adventures｜Paperback, 4 in 1
No. 4: Danny McAleese and David Kristoph｜Treasures of the Forgotten City｜ Paperback, Ultimate Ending
No. 5: Emily Conolan｜Touch the Sun ｜Paperback, Freedom Finders
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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