The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford. 140 pages. Ages 9-12. This is the timeless and beloved story of three pets that embark on a 300 mile journey across the dangerous Canadian wilderness, so they can be re-united with the family that owns them. Tao is the cunning and protective Siamese cat. Bodger is the aging and proud English bulldog. Luath is their leader, a Labrador retriever that is headstrong but young and inexperienced. They are being temporarily cared for while the family they grew up with has gone on an eight month professional sabbatical. One day, due to a series of mishaps, the three pets believe they have been abandoned, and start their incredible journey to be re-united with their beloved family. These three special animals will endear themselves to boys, as they desperately try to survive the dangers of the wilderness. The three pets must depend on each other to endure bear attacks, freezing winter nights, wild dog attacks, crossing turbulent and icy rivers, starvation and more. The author imbues each of them with a special and distinctive personality, and describes their incredible journey in amazing fashion. This is a heartwarming, can’t-put-down story for boys who love pets and adventure.

Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer. 332 pages. Ages 14 and up. This is the harrowing account of the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest climbing expedition. The book is written by one of the climbers who narrowly survived brain damage and being frozen to death. In May of 1996, an expedition to climb the tallest peak on the planet encountered a rogue snowstorm, trapping climbers above and below it. Of the eleven members of the expedition that started the climb, only six came back alive. Krakauer vividly recounts the harrowing experiences he and others endured as they strove to reach the summit, 29,000 feet above sea level, through oxygen depleted air, and sub freezing temperatures. Acts of heroism, selfishness and cowardice reveal the heights and depths of the human condition. Photos from the expedition help to portray the vastness of Everest, and puts a human face on the climbers.

Under the Black Ensign, by L. Ron Hubbard. 108 pages. Ages 12 and up. This is a swashbuckling, action filled pirate tale set in 1680. Tom Bristol's naval career aspirations are brought to a crashing end when he is forced into slave labor aboard the British warship, HMS Terror. Rebelling against the authoritarian rule of the ship's cruel Admiral, Tom refuses an order, and will face one hundred lashes. Just as his punishment is being meted out, the British ship is attacked by pirates, and Tom escapes and joins the pirate crew. Tom once again finds himself in peril. He kills a pirate planning a mutiny, while defending an odd looking stowaway. The pirate leader punishes Tom by marooning him on a desert island, with only three days of food and water. Tom vows to not only survive, but to seek out his enemies and serve his brand of justice on them. This is a fantastic story for boys that like sea faring adventures and pirate stories.

Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. 195 pages. Ages 9-12. This is one of the more popular books for boys. An engrossing story, that appeals to boys’ sense of adventure. Thirteen year old Brian Robeson must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness, until he can find help. The pilot of the two seater plane taking him to see his Dad dies of a heart attack. Brian manages to crash land the plane. Equipped with a hatchet that his mom gave him, Brian uses his wits to survive. The descriptions of the wilderness, and Brian’s adventures, are vivid and well told.