Books about Survival Situations for Upper Elementary & Middle School Readers

1) Peak by Roland Smith
Peak has always been a mountain climber, but when his estranged father shows up to get him out of New York for a while, neither Peak nor his mother know he's about to attempt to climb the world's highest summit: Everest.

I've been a fan of this book for a while, because the survival element is gripping - even for a reader with no background knowledge about mountain climbing. But what really draws me to this book is the relationship element. It's not just about self-discovery in the sense of pushing your limits, although that's certainly present. It's also about ethics - what is your responsibility to other climbers when your own safety is at stake? When is your own competitive drive a healthy push and when is it selfish and destructive? This works as a compelling class read-aloud for 5th grade and up, or an independent read for middle school students.

2) No Summit Out of Sight by Jordan Romero

Although this isn't a literary piece - more like a factual listing of experiences - this true story of a kid who climbed the highest peak on each continent will likely inspire more than a few readers. It's more straightforward (and more accessible to younger readers) than Peak (above), but still gives novices a glimpse of what serious mountain climbers do.

3) All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

This 2021 Newbery Honor book examines the true story of the cave rescue, offering an incredible amount of detail and still managing to be accessible for readers without a lot of background knowledge about caves, geology, or the geography of Thailand. The whole story is a great example of how many different people use different types of expertise to work together, and the photos, diagrams, and other text features are thoughtfully selected and constructed. Highly recommended.

4) Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

This book in verse is based on a true story from WWII, in which young people were sent from London to Canada to escape bombing. When their luxury ship is hit by a torpedo, a lifeboat becomes the protagonist's home and hope. The content might be a little too dark for some younger readers; others will be turning pages quickly.

5) Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

This is an older book, but any respectable book list about survival situations should include this title. If you're a fan of shows like Alone - or even if you aren't - you are likely to admire the ingenuity and determination some people face when they are up against the elements.

6) Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, thousands of people were affected. This fictional story shows how Lanesha struggles to survive the crisis - but it also shows her struggle to fit in to her community before the hurricane hits.

7) Take Me to the River by Will Hobbs

Will Hobbs is also the author of Go Big or Go Home, which is a fantastic book for those who like action-adventure with a fantasy element. This title is about Dylan's adventure on the Rio Grande; a planned rafting trip becomes increasingly dangerous. Recommended for middle school and up.

8) Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
by Ibtisam Barakat

This memoir is about Barakat's refugee experience after the Six-Day War in Ramallah forced her family to leave their home and their lives. As you might expect, the story includes violence and disturbing content, so it is not a book meant for younger or sensitive readers.

9) Endangered (Ape Quartet) by Eliot Schrefer

Sophie's mother runs a bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sophie visits her from the U.S. She keeps busy caring for a sick bonobo named Otto, when political unrest leads to out of control violence. Suddenly, there are no rules - just a desperate effort to survive. This book contains violence that may be disturbing to readers.

10) Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem

Lucy's mother is the U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, and Lucy is fascinated by the wild animals there. She tricks her mother to leave the safe compound, and when she is kidnapped, no one knows where she is. This book strikes a good balance of scary without being graphically violent for upper elementary readers.

11) The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling

A 2021 Texas Bluebonnet book about a young girl whose over-protective father finally ventures out on a hiking trip to celebrate her birthday. When disaster strikes, they are all alone. The narrative blends the immediate danger of the flash flood with the memory of a gradually-revealed family tragedy that the girl and her father are still grappling with.

12) The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

When a robot is washed up on shore, emerging from the box she was packed in, none of the wild animals know what to make of her. Can she make herself part of the community? This story explores not just what it means to survive, but what it means to live with purpose and in connection to others.

13) When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed - graphic novel

This book describes Omar Mohamed's life growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp with his brother. Life is difficult there. When he is given the opportunity to go to school, he is torn between the need to care for his brother in the near term and the chance to build a better life for both of them in the long term. Recommended for grades four and up.

14) Santiago's Road Home by Alexandra Diaz

Santiago leaves life with his abusive family behind and meets up with a kind woman and her young daughter. All three of them will try to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S., but there is danger at every step - from the relentless outdoors, from unscrupulous people, and from government agencies. Recommended for sixth grade and up.

15) A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Based on the true story of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, this story alternates between two viewpoints. One is Salva, who is at school when war comes to his village, forcing him to flee without his family. The other is Nya, who must make a long walk to collect water each day for her family. Recommended for grades five and up.

16) I Survived . . . (series) by Lauren Tarshis

It seemed odd not to include this series in a book about survival, since it includes so many topics - the sinking Titanic, the eruption of Vesuvius, the Nazi invasion, the Joplin tornado, and the American Revolution, to name a few. These fairly short books (around 180 pages each) move quickly, offering a window into history within a fictional story. They aren't too scary or complex for advanced third grade readers, and students can work through the series (in any order) independently. Graphic novel versions of several of these books are available, too.