Books About Wilderness Survival · 73 titles considered

The Best Wilderness Survival Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about wilderness survival? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

My Side of the Mountain
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Wilderness Survival

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1959

My Side of the Mountain

By Jean Craighead George · Book #1 in the My Side of the Mountain series

A boy escapes city life for mountain solitude, discovering hidden strengths.

177 pages· 39,679 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 87,427 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1960

The Incredible Journey

By Sheila Burnford, Carl Burger (Illustrator)

Three pets brave the wild to reunite with their owner.

148 pages· 30,677 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 53,149 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1972

Watership Down

A band of adventurers flee their doomed home, seeking survival and a new beginning.

478 pages· 161,963 words· Est. 15 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 512,635 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1894

The Jungle Book

A boy raised by wolves must outwit a vengeful tiger in the jungle.

240 pages· 50,885 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 135,032 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1987

Hatchet

By Gary Paulsen · Book #1 in the Brian's Saga series

A boy survives a plane crash and must endure the wilderness with only a hatchet.

186 pages· 42,458 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 462,521 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1906

White Fang

A wild creature battles nature and its own instincts to find trust in humans.

256 pages· 72,088 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 210,578 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1990

Woodsong

Survive wild adventures that inspired unforgettable stories.

144 pages
3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,146 ratings
$18.80Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1903

The Call of the Wild

Kidnapped and thrust into the Yukon wilderness, Buck must fight to survive and reclaim his power.

150 pages· 31,827 words· Est. 3 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 483,950 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2001

Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelsen · Book #1 in the Spirit Bear series

A violent teen faces a life-changing encounter with a mystical bear on a remote island.

241 pages· 56,072 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 37,378 ratings
$21.80Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Sentinels in the Deep Ocean

By StacyPlays · Book #4 in the Wild Rescuers series

A girl raised by wolves races to unlock a diary's secrets before reaching the deep ocean's hidden truths.

224 pages· 36,107 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.6/5 Goodreads · 707 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
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Wilderness Survival Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about wilderness survival for preschool and elementary-age readers.

The Wilderness

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A boy lost in the forest must face his fears and find courage.

Johnny Appleseed

Ages 4–8 · 1988

Discover the legendary adventures of Johnny Appleseed as he plants orchards and tales across America.

Cece Loves Science and Adventure

Ages 4–8 · 2019

Girls use STEM skills to tackle a storm on a camping trip.

Swamp Angel

Ages 5–8 · 1994

A fearless woman faces a ravenous bear in a legendary showdown.

The Not-So Great Outdoors

Ages 3–7 · 2019

A city-loving kid discovers nature's hidden wonders on a camping trip.

How to Survive in the Desert

Ages 9–11 · 2008

Uncover the secrets to surviving the perilous desert landscape.

Survival Skills

Ages 10–14 · 2011

Unlock expert secrets with step-by-step guides and videos.

View all wilderness survival picture books
Browse by age

Wilderness Survival Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about wilderness survival for developing and independent readers.

Save Rafe!

Ages 10–13 · 2014

Survive a wild outdoor adventure or face being held back a year. Can he make it through?

A Hidden Enemy

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A dog must choose allies in a land claimed by a fierce pack.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1099

Sobreviví el ataque de los osos grizzlies, 1967 (Graphic Novel)

Ages 8–12 · 2023

A girl must confront her fears to survive a deadly night with grizzlies.

Mouselets in Danger

Ages 7–10 · 2011

Can survival skills save them from a dangerous night in the woods?

Thea Stilton and the Madagascar Madness
Sale price
$899

Thea Stilton and the Madagascar Madness

Ages 7–10 · 2016

Endangered animals in Madagascar need saving. Can they be rescued in time?

Warriors: The Apprentice's Quest

Ages 10–13 · 2016

A prophecy threatens peace; a young cat's quest decides the Clans' fate.

The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry

Ages 8–10 · 2023

A girl must navigate city life and help her family while longing for the wild woods.

Path of Stars
Sale price
$999

Path of Stars

Ages 10–13 · 2015

A rogue's demand threatens the forest cats' fragile peace. Can unity save them?

The Melting Sea
Sale price
$999

The Melting Sea

Ages 10–13 · 2012

Bears face starvation and division as an early thaw threatens their survival and unity.

The Raging Storm
Sale price
$999

The Raging Storm

Ages 10–13 · 2018

Clans clash as ShadowClan's power threatens SkyClan's future.

Ice Dogs
Sale price
$999

Ice Dogs

Ages 10–13 · 2014

Lost in the Alaskan wilderness, survival depends on a young dogsled racer and a mysterious boy.

I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980
Sale price
$599

I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

Ages 7–10 · 2016

A young girl and her friends must survive a volcanic eruption in the wilderness

Keep exploring
Books about survival storiesBooks about angerBooks about bunnies and rabbitsBooks about coping with failureBooks about dogsBooks about human-animal relationshipsBooks about journeys and voyagesBooks about juvenile delinquency

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