Action & Adventure

Publication year 1906

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Animals, Nature Versus Nurture

Tags Animals, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature

White Fang (1906) is a short novel by American author Jack London. The novel explores themes of survival, nature versus nurture, and improving oneself through discipline and adaptability. White Fang’s protagonist is a wild-born wolfdog named White Fang whose struggle for survival and eventual domestication comprise the novel’s narrative arc. London’s novel challenges humanity’s claim to superiority over nature and celebrates animals’ resilience, simple logic, and instinct. White Fang has been adapted into over a... Read White Fang Summary

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Self Discovery, Community, Environment

Tags Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Perseverance, Environment, Climate, Self Discovery

Tags Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Natural Disaster, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Realistic Fiction

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Forgiveness, Memory, Hate & Anger, Love, Shame & Pride, Fear, Grief, Perseverance, Conflict, Loneliness, Hope, Safety & Danger, Environment, Place, Mothers

Tags Grief & Death, Travel Literature, Relationships, Love & Sexuality, Science & Nature, Action & Adventure, Biography

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Love, Animals, Community, Family

Tags Animals, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature, Science & Nature

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

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

Wildwood is a 2011 children's fantasy novel written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, his wife. Meloy is the lead singer and songwriter for the folk-rock band The Decemberists. Ellis created album cover art for her husband’s band and provided more than 80 illustrations for Wildwood. Her artwork employs a dark but whimsical tone and has been compared to Edward Gorey.Wildwood was a New York Times best seller and won the 2012 Middle... Read Wildwood Summary

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Animals, Teamwork, Beauty

Tags Science & Nature, Sports, Travel Literature, Biography, Action & Adventure, Animals

First published in 1994, Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod is a nonfiction young adult book by Gary Paulsen, who has won several awards for his outdoor adventure stories. The first-person narrative recounts Paulsen’s life as a novice dog-sled runner who takes on the challenge of Alaska’s iconic Iditarod race. The special cross-species relationship between Paulsen and his canine companions steers him through the perils of Alaska’s harsh terrain as he overcomes his... Read Winterdance Summary

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, World War II, World History, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Wolf by Wolf (2015) is the first title in an alternative history series by young adult author Ryan Graudin. The first book in the series was named an Amazon Book of the Year and also made the list of Huffington Post’s Top Ten Young Adult Books of the Year. The sequel, entitled Blood for Blood (2016), covers events that take place shortly after the end of Wolf by Wolf. The short fiction title Iron to... Read Wolf by Wolf Summary

Publication year 2011

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, World History, Action & Adventure

Wonderstruck (2011) by Brian Selznick is a graphic novel for children and young adults. The book follows the story of Ben, a deaf boy traveling to New York in 1977, and Rose, a deaf/mute girl traveling to New York in 1927. The stories overlap and weave together, as both Ben and Rose seek family and belonging. The book was adapted into a feature-length film, for which Brian Selznick wrote the screenplay. Plot SummaryThe novel has two... Read Wonderstruck Summary

Publication year 1990

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Animals, Environment, Perseverance

Tags Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Life-Inspired Fiction, Sports, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Science & Nature

Published in 1991, the adventure biography Woodsong recounts novelist Gary Paulsen’s experiences as a dogsled driver, including his participation in the Iditarod race across Alaska. He describes the hard-won lessons he learns, the strange and wondrous things he witnesses, and the love and admiration he feels for the dogs he trains with. Three-time Newbury Honor winner Paulsen wrote more than 200 works, most of them for middle-grade and young adult readers. His books often tell... Read Woodsong Summary

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History, American Revolution, Action & Adventure

Woods Runner, by Gary Paulsen, is a young adult, historical fiction novel. It takes place during the American War for Independence (1776) from the point of view of a 13-year-old frontier boy. The novel was published by Random House in 2010 and is a favorite in schools because of its educational passages that provide valuable historical information to the reader. Paulsen’s Author’s Note and Afterword explain his desire to show war for the grotesque and... Read Woods Runner Summary

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Climate, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Equality, Fate, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

Words of Radiance is the second novel in the high fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson. It is the sequel to The Way of Kings and is followed by Oathbringer, Rhythm of War, and Wind and Truth. It was originally published on March 4, 2014, by Tor. It enjoyed critical success on its publication, winning the 2015 David Gemmel Legend Award for best novel. Brandon Sanderson is a popular fantasy and high fantasy... Read Words of Radiance Summary

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Joy, Loneliness, Race, Coming of Age, The Past, Climate, Environment, Plants, Place, Fathers, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Beauty, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Realistic Fiction

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction

Zach’s Lie (2001) is a critically acclaimed young adult thriller by American author Roland Smith. The novel explores themes of identity and the importance of family, truth, and trust. Smith is a New York Times bestselling author and has written over 20 young adult novels. Zach’s Lie won the Nevada Young Readers Award, and the American Library Association chose it as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Smith’s novel Jack’s Run (2007) continues the story... Read Zach's Lie Summary

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Religion & Spirituality, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Animals, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure

Twelve-year old Zane Dupree and his beloved mutt Bandit are trapped in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in Rodman Philbrick’s realistic middle grade novel, Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina (2014). Rescued by an elderly musician and a young girl, Zane witnesses both the best and worst of humanity as the group travels by canoe in search of safety. During his harrowing adventure, Zane learns about the importance of family and how it... Read Zane and the Hurricane Summary

Publication year 1974

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Philosophy, Action & Adventure, Modern Classic Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Self-Improvement, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Travel Literature, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was published in 1974. Told through the frame of a long motorcycle trip across America, the book explores life and how to best live it. The world of ideas takes center stage, providing both the conflict and resolution for living such a balanced approach to life. Perspectives from Eastern and Western philosophy and religion are referenced, highlighted, and explored, and through this exploration, the narrator addresses the pivotal... Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Summary

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Environment, Equality, Conflict

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

David Baldacci’s Zero Day (2011, Grand Central Publishing) is the 23rd of Balducci’s 44 adult novels and the first of three in his John Puller series. Most of Baldacci’s adult novels are in the suspense and legal thriller genres. Baldacci studied law and worked as an attorney for seven years before publication of his first novel, Absolute Power (1996), which was made into a 1997 film directed by Clint Eastwood. His research for Zero Day... Read Zero Day Summary