Summary: Into the Wild tells the story of 23-year-old Chris McCandless, who in April of 1992, hiked into the Alaskan wilderness. The biography is written by Jon Krakauer, who found McCandless’ story to be strikingly similar to his own. Krakauer recounts McCandless’ life, from his graduation from Emory to his denouncing of his identity and possessions. Then, of his explorations into the wild and his brief encounters with others.
Dry by Neal Shusterman occurs in the near future when California has run low on water due to extreme drought. This book is an absolute masterpiece when it comes to depicting human behavior when no water is available. In this book, the main character, Alyssa, is forced to make many decisions and makes many acquaintances to increase their odds at survival better.
Hatchet is a novel by Gary Paulsen that is a descriptive look at a near-death survival situation and explores feelings of loneliness, though being more descriptive about the main character’s (Brian) mode of survival. The book takes place in the Canadian frontier wilderness where Brian crashes after the pilot of the small Cessna that is driving him to see his divorced father crashes. Armed with only a hatchet, he must carve up a living alone in the wilderness.
Mila 18 by Leon Uris is a historical novel set in Warsaw, Poland, during World War II, focusing on the Jewish resistance fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto. The story follows a diverse group of characters as they struggle against the Nazi occupation and the atrocities of the Holocaust. The titular Mila 18 is a bunker where the resistance makes its last stand against the overwhelming forces of the German army during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
Carve the Mark is a captivating tale set in a galaxy where individuals develop unique powers known as "currentgifts" that shape their destinies. The story follows two protagonists, Cyra and Akos, from rival nations on the planet Thuvhe. Cyra, burdened with a lethal currentgift that inflicts pain upon others, seeks control over her power and freedom from her tyrannical brother. Akos, on the other hand, desires to rescue his kidnapped brother and protect his family.
Hatchet is a book about Brian who starts out flying to visit his dad. After an unexpected accident, the plane is thrown off course leaving Brian stranded in the middle of the Canadian forest. Brian has to learn to survive with only a hatchet and the resources around him until he’s rescued. This book has a lot of suspense and cliffhangers. The writing in this book is really great because the author uses a lot of figurative language and descriptive words.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen tells the story of thirteen-year-old Brian who is stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash. The only tool he has is a hatchet, given to him by his mother. He must find a way to not only survive in the unknown but also accept the fact of his parents’ divorce. Read to find out if Brian can deal with these difficulties as he looks for ways to keep himself alive.
Refugee by Alan Gratz is a historical fiction novel that focuses on the lives of 3 children who all have one thing in common, seeking refuge in a foreign country. The first character introduced is Josef, a jewish boy living in Germany during the Holocaust. The book follows his journey as he and his family board the MS Saint Louis in an effort to escape Germany and find refuge in Cuba, however things turn for the worse as they are denied entry into Cuba.
The Martian by Andy Weir follows the gripping tale of Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded alone on Mars after a mission gone awry. Believed to be dead by his crew, Watney must employ his resourcefulness, scientific acumen, and a great deal of humor to survive on the unforgiving planet. He engineers innovative solutions to grow food, generate power, and establish communication with Earth, all while grappling with the challenges of isolation and an uncertain future.
Dry by Neal Shusterman is a young adult dystopian novel set in a near-future California ravaged by a severe drought. The story follows the journey of several teenagers and their families as society collapses due to the lack of water. Tensions rise, resources become scarce, and desperation drives people to extremes.
