(This article contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.) Alaska is a remarkable place with its breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultures. These children’s books about Alaska will not only entertain you but also help you understand and appreciate the wonders of the Last Frontier. We have included everything from gorgeously illustrated picture books to captivating young adult adventure stories.
1. Raven’s Friends: Alaska Animals Far and Wide written and illustrated by fourth-generation Alaskan Kim Sherry Children ages 4-8 will love this beautifully illustrated picture book as they follow its narrator, Raven, through 32 pages filled with colorful illustrations and poems that share facts about animals that call Alaska home.
2. Berry Magic by Teri Sloat and Betty Huffmon
Berry Magic follows the adventures of a young girl named Lila, who discovers a magical berry bush in her grandmother’s garden. When Lila tastes the berries, something extraordinary happens – she gains the ability to communicate with animals.
3. The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill
Fred (short for Frederika) is a 10-year-old student living in remote Alaska who is about to have an unforgettable school year. A new teacher has arrived in the village. Miss Agnes doesn’t believe in giving grades. She throws away the old textbooks and reads stories to them like Robin Hood and Snow White. This touching story gives readers a taste of life in
a remote Alaska village.
4. Kodi by Jared Cullum
Kodi is the story of a young girl named Katya who is spending the summer with her Meema in a beautiful cabin in the Alaska woods. Katya unexpectedly runs into a big friendly Kodiak bear who needs her help. After a successful rescue, Katya, who has had difficulty making friends with the other kids, spends all her free time with Kodi. When the two friends get separated, Kodi sets out on an adventure to become reunited with his best friend.
5. Sweet Home Alaska by Carol Estby Dagg
Terpsichore (terp-si-chor-ee) Johnson and her family hit hard times like many families in Wisconsin during the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal gave families like the Johnson’s a chance to start over in rural Alaska. Terpsichore is excited to be a pioneer and live like Laura Ingalls Wilder, but Mrs. Johnson isn’t convinced this is the right move for their family. How will the family adapt to this new way of life in the Last Frontier?
6. Home is the North by Walt Morey
Alex is a young boy who lives in a remote Alaska village with his family. When a devastating blizzard strikes their community, Alex’s family becomes separated, and he is left alone in the cold, harsh environment. Determined to find his loved ones, Alex embarks on a courageous journey through icy forests and treacherous mountains. Along the way, he encounters wild animals, faces dangerous obstacles, and learns important lessons about survival and the true meaning of family.
7. Ordinary Dogs, Extraordinary Friendships by Pam Flowers
Ordinary Dogs, Extraordinary Friendships is a collection of 11 adventures from the life of explorer and dog musher Pam Flowers. Each story contains an exciting tale of friendship, teamwork, compassion, courage, and many more positive character traits the author witnessed in her dog team. Each story focuses on an important life lesson the author has learned from her companions.
8. Diamond Willow by Helen Frost
Twelve-year-old Willow isn’t very happy with her life in Old Fork, Alaska. All she wants is time alone with her dogs. Her best friend, Kaylie, is preoccupied with a boy she likes. Her parents don’t seem to really see her. After she convinces her parents to let her mush her favorite dog, Roxy, and two other dogs to her grandparents’ house alone, a dangerous
accident causes Willow to learn more about who she is and all the people who care for her.
9. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Julie of the Wolves tells the tale of a young girl named Julie lost in the Alaska wilderness.
She befriends a wolf pack, learns their language, and faces a difficult choice between her
human life and her new wolf family. This captivating story explores the balance between
nature and civilization and the meaning of belonging.
10. The Dragline Kid and Her Golden Wish by Lisa Augustine
Children ages 4-8 will delight in this story of a little girl who dreams of being a gold miner like her daddy in Alaska’s wilderness. Written by longtime Alaskan Lisa Augustine, this sweet story shows that dreams can come true.
Whether delving into the Alaska wilderness with Julie, exploring the Arctic with Alex, or embarking on whimsical journeys with Lila, children will be transported to a world filled with magic and discovery. So, grab a cozy blanket, find a comfortable spot, and let these Alaska children’s books whisk you away on unforgettable literary adventures!
Aunt Phil’s Trunk now offers two new creative writing courses created for homeschool families, co-ops, and classrooms that teach students how to analyze writing and create their own written masterpieces. The middle school course includes several of the books that we recommended in this article. Learn more about the courses for both middle school and high school here.