Action & Adventure

Publication year 1949

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Survival Fiction, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction

Earth Abides, by George R. Stewart, was originally published in 1949. The novel was one of the first of the post-apocalyptic science-fiction genre and a direct inspiration for Stephen King’s 1978 dark-fantasy novel The Stand.Stewart’s novel is unique given its historical context. Written during the early years of the Cold War when the threat of nuclear annihilation loomed in the American mind, the narrative portrays a world devastated not by bombs but by microscopic organisms—a... Read Earth Abides Summary


Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Action / Adventure, Survival Fiction, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Natural Disaster, Education, Education


Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Relationships, History: Middle Eastern, History: U.S., Post Modernism, American Literature, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Fantasy

Eaters of the Dead is a 1976 historical novel by Michael Crichton. Crichton (1942-2008) is known for his best-selling novels, many of which have been adapted into movies, as well as TV and filmmaking. His books include Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, The Lost World, Prey, and Disclosure. Crichton also worked in filmmaking and in the TV industry, most notably on Westworld (writer, director), ER (creator), and on the Jurassic Park franchise based on his... Read Eaters Of The Dead Summary


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Poverty, Animals, Gender / Feminism, Relationships, Science / Nature, Great Depression, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, History: World


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Indigenous, Relationships: Family

Tags Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, LGBTQ, Magical Realism, Action / Adventure, Grief / Death, Race / Racism, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Teams, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Eldest is the second book in American author Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, the popular young adult fantasy series that consists of Eragon (2003), Eldest (2005), Brisingr (2008), and Inheritance (2011). This installment follows Eragon’s continuing adventures as he and his dragon, Saphira, take on new responsibilities in their fight against the despotic king, Galbatorix. Paolini also wrote a collection of short stories titled The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm (2018), which is set in... Read Eldest Summary


Publication year 2014

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Society: Community

Tags WWII / World War II, Animals, History: World, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Military / War, History: Asian, Action / Adventure, Biography


Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Action / Adventure

Roland Smith’s Elephant Run (2007) is a middle grade adventure novel that takes place during World War II. Narrator Nick Freestone tries to escape the war and moves from the deadly bombings in London to his father's teak plantation in Burma. Unfortunately for Nick, the war follows him to Burma, and Japanese soldiers soon imprison him and his childhood friend Mya at his family home. Aided by the ancient monk Hilltop, Mya and Nick set... Read Elephant Run Summary


Publication year 1997

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Romance, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction

Gail Carson Levine’s book Ella Enchanted was awarded the Newbery Honor in 1998 after its publication in 1997. In 2004, a film adaptation was released, though it received criticism for diverging from Levine’s story, including adding new key characters. Ella Enchanted was Levine’s debut. She also wrote Fairest, which retells Snow White’s story and is set in the same world as Ella Enchanted. Some of her other notable works include Dave at Night, The Wish... Read Ella Enchanted Summary


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Fairy Tale / Folklore, Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, New Adult


Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: War, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Natural World: Animals

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure, Survival Fiction, Animals, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionEliot Schrefer’s coming-of-age novel Endangered was published by Scholastic in 2012 and is the first book in The Ape Quartet. Set the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the story is written for a young adult audience and is a 2012 National Book Award finalist in Young People’s Literature. The novel follows Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli’s journey as she navigates the perils of war-torn Congo in search of her mother, protecting a young, orphaned bonobo throughout her journey... Read Endangered Summary


Publication year 1985

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: War, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Bullying, Military / War, Cold War, Action / Adventure

Ender’s Game (1985) is a best-selling dystopian science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. The story follows a precocious boy’s fight against space aliens and his own government. The essence of the story first appeared in a small sci-fi journal in 1977 as a short story of the same name. Card expanded the premise into a series that includes 15 novels and 13 related short stories. In addition to winning a Nebula Award in 1985... Read Ender's Game Summary


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 1959

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Tags Action / Adventure, History: World, Science / Nature, Travel Literature, Biography

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage is a 1959 work of historical nonfiction by journalist and writer Alfred Lansing. The book describes explorer Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 overland expedition across Antarctica; the mission failed when his ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice, but Shackleton and all of his crew were able to survive and escape against long odds. Lansing researched the book extensively, drawing on diaries kept by crewmembers as well as interviews with survivors. The work... Read Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage Summary


Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature

Eragon (2003), an epic fantasy novel in the style of Lord of the Rings, is the first book in the four-part Inheritance Cycle by author Christopher Paolini. Paolini wrote the first draft of Eragon at age 15. After spending an additional year revising and polishing the work, he showed it to his parents, who agreed to self-publish the novel in 2001. Afterward, Paolini actively promoted the book by traveling to 135 schools and libraries around... Read Eragon Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure


Publication year 2012

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Tags Asian Literature, Immigration / Refugee, History: Asian, Korean Literature, History: World, Action / Adventure, Politics / Government, Biography

Escape from Camp 14 is the story of Shin Dong-hyuk, who is the only known person to have been born in and escape from a North Korean labor camp. The book’s author, Blaine Harden, interviewed Shin many times and has also spoken with former camp guards and North Korean traders. His book details Shin’s life both inside and outside the camp, as well as the political landscape in North Korea.As Shin was born in the... Read Escape from Camp 14 Summary


Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Literature, Life/Time: The Past

Tags Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy


Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction

Escaping the Giant Wave is a middle-grade disaster thriller by American author Peg Kehret. The story follows 13-year-old Kyle Davidson and his little sister, BeeBee Davidson, as they struggle to survive an earthquake, a fire, and a tsunami. Kyle battles to save BeeBee and himself, and he learns to overcome his own fears. Escaping the Giant Wave is one of six novels centered around natural disasters by Kehret and was published in 2003. Kehret has... Read Escaping the Giant Wave Summary


Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Grief / Death, Religion / Spirituality

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Neal Shusterman published the fantasy novel Everlost in 2006. It is the first novel in the young adult Skinjacker trilogy, which also includes Everwild (2009) and Everfound (2011). Everlost explores what might lie between life and death and incorporates a rich cast of characters, all of whom are children. The novel has won multiple awards and distinctions, including being included among the 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award nominees and the... Read Everlost Summary