Running Wild: Our Favorite Unsupervised Fictional Kids

The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss
The premise here seems like one in which two kids would be pretty well supervised: stuck inside on a rainy day. But with the appearance of the Cat in the Hat, Sally and Dick pretty much run amok, and we realize they’re the ones calling the shots. There is no mom in the corner working on her computer, or dad reading the newspaper with a watchful eye. Just two kids, a magical cat, and an unpredictable Thing 1 and Thing 2. If it wasn’t so much fun this mad house might be a tiny bit concerning, but as long as the rain keeps falling, let the insanity prevail. (Ages 5-8)

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (Captain Underpants #12), by Dav Pilkey
Heroes George and Harold are able to hide out in their treehouse all day, skip school, play video games, and save the world while their clones from the past (Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold) do all the things they don’t want to. As Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold go to school, do homework, and follow the rules, the real George and Harold discover a plot meant to turn all of the town’s kids into well-behaved zombies. How these boys manage to always be in trouble while also always saving the day is a skill that can only be perfected when the adults aren’t watching. Don’t believe when when I say their escapades are legendary? Check out the whole series for reckless, joyous, unsupervised fun. (Ages 7-10)

A New Class (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Star Wars: Jedi Academy #4), by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
You might think that kids would be better supervised at school—but this is especially untrue at Jedi Academy. Despite being able to use the Force, the teachers here are outmanned by the equally talented students, especially new kid Victor Starspeeder. Victor is starting at the famous Jedi Academy in the shadow of his ultra talent older sister. Before long he befriends one very popular student, and discovers another who may be a Sith—or is he? Yoda tries to help direct this young man’s energies, but Victor is a regular in detention, at the center of a food fight, and a reluctant drama club member. He always manages to find—or help create—chaos. Add to the fact that this is a boarding school, with nary a parent in sight, and you’ve got the recipe for unsupervised mischief and a few Jedi mind tricks. (8-12)

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories Series #1), by Chris Colfer
In the same vein as C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, twins Alex and Conner Bailey travel into another world to fight off monsters, witches, and all sorts of other evil-doers in an attempt to better the world and return home safe. After entering into their grandmother’s book of classic fairy tales, they find that things aren’t so fab in the magical realm. In this smart series, readers get to travel through some of their favorite fairy tales, and encounter surprising twists, while fighting witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls. (Ages 8-12)

Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
Millionaire, genius, and a criminal mastermind to boot, twelve year old Artemis Fowl seems to have no one putting the breaks on his law-breaking lifestyle. In this first installment Artemis kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit (a super powerful, armed, and dangerous sect of fairies). His choices set in motion a series of events that veer out of his controle. This pint-sized Tony Stark fights for the wrong side and you kind of love him for it, but you also have to wonder why someone like Pepper Pots doesn’t ground him, pronto. (Ages 9-12)

The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet, by Tony Abbott and Tim Jessell
Eric, Julie, and Neal go snooping in the basement and find a portal to a magic world. Before then can enjoy the magic, they are caught up in a battle. Men on giant lizards attack as the trio is saved by Princess Keeah of Droon. She will help them get home, but only if they will carry a message for her. What could go wrong? This is just the beginning of a trek into the mysterious land of Droon, featuring edge of your seat adventures, unexpected twists, and no parents or guardians calling out to “be careful.” (Ages 7-9)
Which unsupervised books inspire your adventurous side?