Action & Adventure

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Love, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Coming of Age, The Past, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, War, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Fathers, Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, Medieval, Narrative Poem, Action & Adventure, European History, Military & War

The Song of the Cid, also known as El Cantar de mio Cid, is a Spanish epic written in verse by an unknown author. The only surviving medieval Spanish epic, it is widely considered Spain’s national folktale, telling of fictionalized events at the formation of medieval Spain in the 11th century. It is based on the true story of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a Castilian knight who in reality fought for both Christian and Muslim... Read The Poem of the Cid Summary

Publication year 1881

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, American Literature, World History

The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale for Young People of All Ages is Mark Twain’s first historical fiction novel, published in 1881 in Canda and in America the following year. Set in 16th-century England during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Edward VI, the novel revolves around two identical boys: Henry’s heir, Prince Edward, and Tom Canty, a London beggar. After a chance meeting, the two decide to exchange roles, leading to a... Read The Prince and the Pauper Summary

Publication year 1872

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Good & Evil, Social Class

Tags Fairy Tale & Folklore, Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Religion & Spirituality

The Princess and the Goblin, first published in 1872, is a Victorian children’s fantasy novel written by George MacDonald. Arthur Hughes and W. B. MacDougall created the accompanying drawings for the original publication, and Jessie Wilcox Smith added new visual art to the story in 1920. In 1992, the novel was adapted into a full-length animated feature film of the same name. This guide utilizes the 2018 Leaves of Gold Press version of the novel... Read The Princess and the Goblin Summary

Publication year 1973

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Beauty, Joy

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Humor, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction

The Princess Bride is a 1973 adventure novel by American author and screenwriter William Goldman. It uses a unique framing narrative to tell two interwoven stories and claims to be a retelling of an older novel (one that does not actually exist). The Princess Bride was adapted into a film in 1987. Critics regard the film as one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of all time, and it appears on numerous “best of” lists, including... Read The Princess Bride Summary

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt

Tags Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

The Raft, by S.A. Bodeen, tells the castaway story of Robie, a young woman who survives an airplane crash in the Pacific Ocean. The crash occurs as she attempts to return from a trip to visit her aunt in Honolulu.Other work by this author includes the novel, The Compound.The story is set in motion when Robie’s aunt is called away for workand allows Robie to remain at her apartment unsupervised. Robie is attacked on the... Read The Raft Summary

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Fear, Coming of Age, Environment, Friendship, Siblings, Teamwork, Good & Evil, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Action & Adventure

The Recruit by British author Robert Muchamore (Hodder Children’s Books, 2004) is the first book in the middle-grade spy adventure CHERUB series and follows a 12-year-old boy who is plucked from a difficult life to become a spy. The book offers a look at the opportunities presented by change while exploring themes of overcoming fear, seeing issues from both sides, and making difficult choices. The Recruit was nominated for eight awards and won seven of... Read The Recruit Summary

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Siblings, Family, Appearance & Reality, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (Hyperion Books for Children, 2010) is the first installment in the middle-grade fantasy adventure Kane Chronicles series and is followed by The Throne of Fire (2011) and The Serpent’s Shadow (2012). The book follows siblings Carter and Sadie Kane on a journey across North America to stop the Egyptian god of chaos from destroying the world. The Red Pyramid won a School Library Journal Best Book Award and was... Read The Red Pyramid Summary

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Appearance & Reality, Good & Evil, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor

The Reptile Room is a middle-grade novel published by Daniel Handler under the pen name of Lemony Snicket in 1999. It is the second in the 13-book series A Series of Unfortunate Events, which chronicles the lives of the Baudelaire children (Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny) after the untimely death of their parents. In the first book, a well-intentioned but oblivious man named Mr. Poe places the children under the care of their distant relative... Read The Reptile Room Summary

Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

The Return of the King is a 1955 book by J. R. R. Tolkien and the final volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This book concludes the epic fantasy journey of Frodo Baggins to destroy the One Ring and portrays the final battle between Mordor and Gondor. In this work, Tolkien explores how good can overcome a seemingly more powerful force of evil. The end of the book has drawn critical attention due... Read The Return of the King Summary

Publication year 2021

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Hope, Aging, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Plants, Place, Friendship, Community, Nation, Beauty, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Self Discovery

Tags Animals, World History, Travel Literature, Action & Adventure, Biography

Publication year 1979

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Space

Tags US History, Science & Nature, Journalism, Technology, Technology, World History, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction, Biography

The Right Stuff is a lively account of the early American space program and its roots in the subculture of military test pilots that developed after World War II. Wolfe’s eclectic, wide-ranging narrative combines numerous elements: technological advancements in mid-20th-century flight; the generation of daring pilots who pushed innovations to their limits; and reflections on the moral, cultural, and political significance of the first astronauts at the height of the Cold War. Taken together, these... Read The Right Stuff Summary