Getting kids to put down their controllers and pick up a book can feel like an impossible quest. But what if the books they’re reading are inspired by their favorite video games? Suddenly, reading becomes an exciting adventure filled with the characters and worlds they already love. From action-packed stories to immersive worlds, video game books for kids are the perfect way to bridge the gap between gaming and reading. Whether you’re looking to encourage a reluctant reader or simply want to add more books to your child’s library, these video game-inspired reads are sure to level up their love for reading.

Gnat vs. Spyder

Age: Grades 4-5

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Natalie lives a double life.

By day, she’s an average eighth grader at Golden Trails Middle. At night, she’s Gnat112, a streamer for her favorite video game, Alienlord. But when the new girl moves in next door, will Natalie’s double life be revealed?

Natalie has a secret. She’s a gamer.

By day, Natalie is an average eighth grade student. At night, she’s Gnat112! Living a double life is hard . . . and keeping a secret from your friends is even harder. In this illustrated middle grade book (the first of an all-new series, Gamer Girls), Natalie and her three BFFs learn to navigate the gamer world together, one girl at a time.

This series is a great read for gamers and gamer enthusiasts of all kinds. Plus, there’s the occasional middle school drama . . . if only Natalie could battle math teachers like video game aliens!

Diary of a Roblox Pro #1: Monster Escape

Age: Grades 2-5

Summary: Ari and his friends can’t resist a challenge. Rumor has it there’s some kind of monster living in the local abandoned warehouse who devours anyone who steps foot inside. Ari doesn’t believe the gossip and accepts a dare to enter the building. But as soon as they set foot in the warehouse, all of the doors lock behind them and they come face-to-face with the beast itself! Can Ari and his friends escape the warehouse? Or will the monster win this game? Read and find out in the first book in the Diary of a Roblox Pro series!

No Humans Allowed! (Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy #1)

Age: Grades 4-5

Summary: Welcome to Dungeon Academy, where monsters and creatures train for the dark world that awaits just beyond the dungeon walls! But Zellidora “Zelli” Stormclash is a bit–different. She’s the one thing monsters and creatures of the Forgotten Realms fear the most: Zelli is a human!Knowing she’ll never be accepted, Zelli’s parents disguise her as a minotaur in hopes she’ll blend with the academy’s monstrous surroundings. Zelli does her work, keeps to herself, and becomes “invisible” to everyone. While in History of Horrible Humans class, Zelli learns of the great human adventurer, Allidora Steelstrike, who oddly resembles her. Could Zelli also be a Steelstrike?

Seeking answers to her true lineage, Zelli embarks on a dangerous adventure.But she won’t be alone. A vegan owlbear, a cowardly kobold, and a shapeshifting mimic will join Zelli on her quest for truth in a world that holds no place for them. And who knows? Perhaps these monstrous misfits may discover some truths of their own . . .Get ready for humor, heart, magic, and adventure as middle graders and beyond learn to embrace who they are, accept others’ differences, and discover that making mistakes is OK–as long as you learn from them.

Table Titans Club

Age: Grades 4-5

Summary: A fantasy-obsessed nerd with the legendary confidence–and temper–of a Valkyrie, Val promises her mom that things will be different at her new school. “No more fighting!” As if by fate, she meets the Table Titans right away–Alan, Andrew, and Darius, who run the school’s tabletop gaming club. Finally, Val has found her own adventuring party! And even better . . . a place where she belongs. So when the future of the club is threatened, Val makes it her personal quest to save the Table Titans. She’ll have to face the fire-breathing wrestling coach and popular girl Kate, who seems out for revenge. Revenge for what? Val has no clue.

As the quest grows more and more complicated, Val wishes she was like her peaceful druid Lulani from the Table Titans’ campaign, whose calm voice always prevails. If she loses her cool in real life, Val might lose more than the Table Titans club. She’ll have to roll a natural 20 in charisma to keep her new friends together. Set in the same universe as the Eisner Award-winning webcomic PvP, Scott Kurtz’s artwork blends zany, fantastical visuals with slice-of-life humor.

For fans of fantasy and coming of age stories alike, Table Titans finds humor, heart, and adventure in a tale of friendship and finding your people.

Piggy: The Cure

Age: Grades 3-7

Summary: There is a mystery to be solved, a cure to be found, and a horde of Infected to escape!

Welcome to the bone chilling, pulse-pounding world of PIGGY, the survival-horror game that will keep you up at night. With the Infected hot on their heels and growing in number, a small band of survivors must come together and try to stop their island from being overrun. But is there really a cure for whatever is turning people into mindless monsters? Or are they too late to save anyone at all?

Pokémon Super Special Chapter Book Box Set

Age: Grades 2-5

Summary: These special editions are each two books in one! Join Ash, Pikachu, and friends on action-packed adventures across all eight known regions of the Pokémon world. The beloved Trainer and his team take on foes new and old with some amazing Pokémon by their sides. Each book includes a pullout, double-sided locker poster — four posters in all!

Zombie Season

Age: Grades 3-7

Summary: You know the protocol. You’ve completed countless drills. Yet nothing can truly prepare you for what’s coming. No one is ever ready for zombie season . . .

Joule refuses to evacuate with her mom. She can’t leave town while her dad’s still missing. He’s out there, somewhere, and Joule is going to find him. But what if he’s not just lost? What if he’s become what she most fears?

Regina is proud of her scientist parents, especially now that they’re working on a weapon to keep the zombies at bay. But when she discovers a dark underside to their new technology, she must decide what matters most: her family’s reputation… or saving lives.

Oliver is sick of the drills. What’s the point in pretending you can run and hide when it’s clear the zombies are growing faster and stronger than ever? But when the adults refuse to accept this scary truth, Oliver must find a way to sound the alarm: this year’s zombie season is very, very different. Something has changed, and time is running out to stop it…

Join the fight by going on your own zombie-hunting missions online!

Gamerville

Age: Grades 4-5

Summary: A video gamer’s championship aspirations are dashed when his parents send him to Camp Reset, where electronics are forbidden and you’re forced to socialize, eat healthy, and spend time outside. Gamerville is a timely and vulnerable exploration of the importance of human connection and what it means to run in a pack, brought to you by award-winning author Johnnie Christmas.

Max Lightning is howling at the moon—he’s finally qualified for Gamerville, a championship where players compete to be top dog in the multiplayer video game Lone Wolf of Calamity Bay. But his dreams of domination are doomed when his parents send him to Camp Reset. Gone are the long nights of downing energy drinks and getting copious amounts of screen time. They’ve been replaced with fresh air and group activities under the hot sun—a shock to the system for a lone wolf like Max. Can Max escape Camp Reset and level up at Gamerville, or has he finally played his last match?

Ultimate Gaming Showdown (Player vs. Player #1)

Age: Grades 4-5

Summary: In this action-packed illustrated series, four kid gamers meet at a virtual tournament and battle for the ultimate grand prize. Perfect for young fans of Ready Player One and Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Sixty-four teams.

One mysterious grand prize.

Four gamers determined to win it all.

Welcome to Affinity, the hottest battle royale video game in the world! Gamers can be anything they want to be in Affinity’s high-tech, magical universe–and test their skills in fierce PvP combat. So when Hurricane Games announces an epic tournament with killer prizes, four kids form a team that feels unstoppable . . . but also maybe doomed from the start?

Josh is the tank . . . when his parents let him game.

Hannah is the melee fighter . . . but she can only play at the public library.

Larkin is the healer . . . as long as her family’s not around.

Wheatley is the ranger . . . with a secret that might wreck the whole team.

As solo gamers, they’re good. Really good. But the tournament is a whole new level of competition, and it’ll take all four of them to bring it home. Can they step up their game in time for the final match?

Conclusion

Incorporating video game books into your child’s reading routine can be a game-changer. These books not only tap into their existing interests but also open up new worlds of imagination and creativity. By connecting the thrill of gaming with the joy of reading, you’re setting your child up for a lifelong love of books. So, the next time you’re searching for a new read, consider one that lets your child experience their favorite games in a whole new way—through the pages of a book!

Just like GameTruck parties, video game books are the cool new thing! Both avid and “books are boring” readers are bound to find a book for gamers like themselves, and don’t be afraid to pick one of these up for yourself too! Happy reading! 

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