Summer Reading List: Rock Climbing Books for Kids

Do you have or know children who love to climb? Or do you want to help get the next generation excited to rock climb? Here’s our latest book list that is sure to please and will get even the most reluctant readers eager to try a new book.

For Children Ages 0-6 years

ABCs of Climbing for Kids by Larry Daugherty

An illustrated alphabet book of climbing terms. This one could really go in any of our age categories.

Climb by Caroline Tuohey

A rhyming picture book that celebrates simple climbing adventures.

Squeak Goes Climbing in Yosemite National Park by D. Scott Borden

Follow the adventures of a mouse named Squeak who accidentally gets taken up El Capitan with a group of climbers.

For Children Ages 4-8 years 

Cliff Hanger by Jean Craighead George

A mountain-climbing adventure and dog rescue story.

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi

A wonderful picture book about strength and perseverance written by one of the world's youngest and most accomplished climbers.

Tom and Katie’s Climbing Adventures by Olivier Roberge

Four illustrated stories showcase the climbing adventures of two friends. Also available in French.

For Children Ages 6 - 9 years 

G.G.Rock Climbs by Marty Mokler Banks

An 8-year-old girl loves to climb indoors, but isn't sure about the challenges of outdoor climbing.

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains by Rebel Girls

A "nonathletic" girl becomes a mountaineer after a trip to the mountains.

Postcards from Buster: Buster Climbs the Walls by Marc Brown

Read about Buster's adventures in the Rocky Mountains where he learns all about rock climbing. This is a companion to the PBS television series, Arthur.

Rock Stars! True Stories of Extreme Rock Climbing Adventures by Steve Bramucci

This chapter book by National Geographic Kids details the life of real rock climbers.

The Extreme Team #5: Rock On by Matt Christopher

A boy who excels at extreme sports has to hide his fear of rock climbing when friends want to try out the climbing wall at the mall.

The Extreme Team #10: On The Edge by Matt Christopher

See what happens when young, novice climbers make poor choices.

For Children Ages 9 - 12

Defying Gravity! Rock Climbing by Christine Dugan

This Time for Kids® nonfiction chapter book intrigues readers about the world of rock climbing through informational text, detailed images, a glossary of terms and more.

Peak by Roland Smith

The adventure just begins when a 14-year-old boy (who is arrested for scaling a New York City skyscraper) moves to Thailand to live with his father who runs a climbing gym.

Rock Dogs by Steven Barwin

A fast-paced adventure story about boys from a climbing team whose camping trip turns dangerous.

The Edge by Roland Smith

In the sequel to Peak, a boy and his mother are helicoptered to a remote base camp in the mountains on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border where the mother is kidnapped. 

Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman

This Newberry Honor Award Winner follow's a son's attempt to summit the last of the Alps to honor his father who died during his attempt.

If your favorite children's book that features rock climbing isn't on our list, please let us know in the comments!