"Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

Brian's parents are in the middle of divorce. His dad lives in Canada, and Brian is on his way for a visit, traveling in a single-engine plane. The pilot dies of a heart attack, leaving Brian responsible for landing the plane. He manages a soft crash into a lake, only to find he's alone in the wilderness, surrounded by beauty and danger. The plane had gone off course for hours, making rescue seem impossible. Armed only with a hatchet his mom gave him, Brian builds a shelter, creates fire and forges for fish and berries. He uses his imagination and education to brace the elements and feed himself. Will he ever be found?

"Call of the Wild" by Jack London

Buck is pretty happy living the dog life in sunny California. Part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd, he's sturdy, dependable, and one of his master's favorites. A servant kidnaps Buck, and sells him to men heading north on a steam train. Hundreds of people are looking for something small, valuable and yellow....gold! It's the height of the Alaska gold rush, and Buck is put to work as a sled dog, hauling heavy equipment and being worked to the bone. Set among the rugged Klondike wilderness, this is an excellent story of animal instinct, survival and the spirit of the wilderness.

"Grayson" by Lynne Cox

Lynne Cox is a long distance swimmer. She's swam both the English and Catalina Channels and wrote an fascinating account of cold water adventures in her book, "Swimming to Antarctica." When Lynne was 17, she was doing a training swim off the coast of Seal Beach, California. She was wrapping up her workout when she discovered she was accompanied by something large and dark swimming beneath her. Terrified by the thought of sharks, she immediately headed for shore. Moments later, she realized it wasn't a shark at all, but a baby gray whale, who had lost its mother and was floundering around lost. Lynne spent the morning with the baby whale, hoping to reunite him with its mother. This is a touching story about the relationship between humans and animals and a must read for all marine mammal fans.

"Pride of Baghdad" by Brian Vaughn

When the United States bombed Iraq in 2003, civilians weren't the only casualty. This graphic novel is based on the true story of 4 lions that escaped captivity from the Baghdad zoo, and were loose on the streets of Baghdad. For the first time, these domesticated animals must find their own food and defend themselves against predators. The illustrations showcase the harsh, violent realities of a city caught in the mist of war. This book is not intended for weak stomachs. War is violence, and this book emphasizes how it affects all members of a society, including the animal world.

Vaughn has proven himself as an emerging talent in the comic industry. He's the author of the popular Runaways series and won the Eisner Award for his work Y: The Last Man.

"Facing the Lion-Growing Up Masai on the African Savanna" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton

Have you ever been face to face with a lion, scared he's going to eat you for dinner??

This is the true story of Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton who grew up as a Masai warrior in northern Kenya. His tribe is nomadic, which means they move their houses to where the food is plentiful. Growing up in Kenya is totally different than growing up in the United States. Joseph's family lives in a hut made of sticks and cow dung, and they survive on a diet based on cow milk. Cows are very sacred to the Masai and they depend on them for everything. Lions like to eat cows, and it's up to the Masai warriors to protect their friends, family and cattle from lion attacks.

"During the middle of the night, I woke to this huge sound - like rain, but not really like rain. I looked up. The starlight was gone, clouds were everywhere, and there was a light drizzle falling. But that wasn't the sound. The sound was of all the cows starting to pee. All of them, in every direction. And that is the sign of a lion. A hyena doesn't make them do that. An elephant doesn't make them do that. A person doesn't. Only the lion. We knew right away that a lion was about to attack us."

I was able to visit a Masai village when I went on safari in Africa last year. I like learning about their culture and was so excited to find this book. It also totally counts as a biography if you need to read one for school. Other people's lives are fascinating!

"Baby" by Joseph Monninger

Baby has been shuffled through numerous foster homes due to her mother’s alcoholism and neglect. The latest family, the Potters, are old hippies who race sled dogs. Baby finds herself torn between her freedom on the streets and the unconditional support she receives from the Potters. She gains self-confidence from racing the dogs, and she develops a close friendship with the littlest pup, Laika. This book is great for animal lovers, and demonstrates how teens can make difficult life decisions with the support of adults. Little hint of drugs and alcohol. The voice in Baby's head is realistic, I liked this book! Recommended for 7th and up.

"Home of the Brave" by Katherine Applegate

Kek's village in Sudan was destroyed and he gets sent to Minneapolis to live with his aunt and cousin. Life in America is hard for Kek to adjust to. He's never seen snow, ridden a bus, or seen a washing machine. To make matters worse, his mom is missing and he can't locate her in any of the refugee camps. He makes friends with a neighborhood foster kid, who helps show him how things work and helps him learn English. In Sudan, Kek used to help his father herd their cattle. In America, he makes a new friend, Gol, who helps him adjust to his new reality in America.

"Time Stops For No Mouse - A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure" by Michael Hoeye

Hermux Tantamoq is an upstanding citizen and well respected watchmaker. He is your typical mouse, enjoying mellow evenings at home, reading, and playing with his pet ladybug. One day, Linka Perflinger, a daredevil aviator, brings a watch into Hermux's shop for repair. Hermux quickly falls for Linka, and is intrigued by her travels and adventures.

A shady rat attempts to pick up Linka's watch, and Hermux discovers that Linka has mysteriously disappeared. Loyal Hermux is intrigued and sets out to find out what happened. The quest is on to discover the formula for eternal youth, and Hermux finds himself entangled in a race against time. Some mice will murder for the fountain of youth!

If you liked "Stuart Little," Hermux is a great addition to literary mice. This is the first book in a mystery series, so make sure to check out "No Time Like Show Time," and "The Sands of Time."

Recommended for Middle School

We're reading this book for our book club meeting, Monday, December 17, 3-4 PM at the North Bend Library. Free Pizza!