If your teen spent all summer outdoors and is now stuck inside for the rainy months, keep their spark there by encouraging reading. Here’s a great list of fiction books with epic journeys, survival tips and a few perilous situations – all without needing wifi!
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen – For those who fancy the idea of surviving in the wild with nothing but a hatchet, a soggy bag of crisps, and sheer determination. Brian, stranded in the wilderness, learns to survive with little more than his wits. Perfect for teens who dream of camping but forget to pack the tent.
Hatchet by Gary Paulson – City boy crashes in the Canada wilderness
My Side of the Mountain Trilogy by Jean Craighead George – This book is from the 1950s as you can see from the cover, but it’s been a solid favourite for those who love outdoor adventure ever since.
Ever wonder what it’s like to live alone in the woods, befriend falcons, and not miss Wi-Fi? Sam runs away to the Catskill Mountains and learns the art of self-sufficiency. Think Bear Grylls… but with fewer camera crews.
The Call of the Wild and White Fang: Two Jack London Classics in One Volume – Buck the dog gets dragged into the harsh life of Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush, learning to survive and thrive in the wild.
If your teen likes sled dogs and isn’t scared of the cold, this classic is a howling good time.
Follow Buck’s journey from tame to wild – a wilderness survival with a different spin.
Call of the Wild and White Fang by Jack London – a dog in the Alaskan Yukon
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – You can’t go wrong with a bit of dystopian outdoor survival… in a fight-to-the-death reality show. Katniss Everdeen, armed with a bow and bucketloads of sass, takes on nature and the Capitol. Think camping but with a lot more strategy (and arrows).
Your kid may have seen the movies but the book is so much better!
The Swallows and The Amazons by Arthur Ransome – Classic British adventure, complete with boating, island exploration, and kids who know how to sail better than most adults.
This one’s for those who fancy a spot of adventure without Wi-Fi or mobile phones.
This was recently made into a movie, which your kid can check out after the read!
The Swallows and the Amazons by Arthur Ransome – British wilderness adventures
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman – Travel to the frozen North in search of adventure, magic, and talking polar bears.
If your teen enjoys chilly landscapes and armoured animals, this epic journey will spark a fire in their adventurous soul.
Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman – International best seller about survival and fantasy
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell – Four kids crash in the Amazon rainforest. Sounds fun, right? Not without food, internet, or an exit strategy.
This tale of survival is perfect for anyone who’s thought “I could totally survive in the wild!” Spoiler: it’s harder than it looks.
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell – a story about not giving up in the Amazon
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan – Mythology meets adventure as Percy and his pals go on a cross-country quest to save the world. Perfect for teens who like their adventures with a side of Greek gods and monsters.
Also, handy if you’re wondering how to handle life with ADHD this kid has energy! Part of a series so if your teen loves this style, there’s plenty more to read.
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson – Mia heads to the Amazon (for a change, not because of a Prime delivery) where she must embrace the wilderness.
Complete with poisonous frogs and boatloads of courage, this one’s perfect for budding explorers with a taste for the exotic.
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson – Bestselling Classic Adventure Story
Wildwood by Colin Meloy – This book’s like Narnia but with more talking crows and less snow. Prue ventures into a magical forest just outside Portland, which is a lot scarier than your typical country walk.
Ideal for anyone who’s ever thought, “I could totally survive in a fantasy forest.”
These books will make any teen want to pack a rucksack and head for the hills when the sun is back —whether they’re ready for the wild or just want a good excuse to avoid their homework.
Keep them reading, all of these enjoyable books will not only boost their imagination but set them up with skills, from confidence and resilience to titbits of knowledge about surviving in the wild.
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