Books About Wilderness Survival · 73 titles considered

The Best Wilderness Survival Books for Kids

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.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

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.

Newbery Honor (1960)

177 pages· 39,679 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 88,093 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Sam Gribley flees his cramped New York City apartment for the wild mountains, seeking solitude but finding unexpected challenges. As he navigates the dangers of nature, Sam uncovers a resilience he never knew he possessed. Will he thrive in the wilderness or be forced to return to the life he left behind?

Sale price

$759

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 Goodreads · 53,263 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the heart of the Canadian wilderness, a Labrador, a bull terrier, and a Siamese cat embark on a perilous journey home. Facing hunger, harsh elements, and wild animals, these loyal companions rely on instinct and each other to find their way back to the family they love. Will their courage and determination be enough to overcome the challenges ahead? Discover a timeless tale of adventure and friendship that has captivated readers for generations.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1972

Watership Down

By Richard Adams · Book #1 in the Watership Down series

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

Carnegie Medal for Writing (1972)

478 pages· 161,963 words· Est. 15 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 515,199 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Mass Market Paperback

Summary: In a world teeming with hidden life, a group of rabbits, led by the visionary Hazel, must escape their doomed warren. Facing predators and perilous landscapes, they embark on a daring quest for a new home. Will they find safety and freedom, or will the wild claim them? Watership Down is a gripping tale of courage and survival against all odds.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1894

The Jungle Book

By Rudyard Kipling · Puffin Classics series

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 Goodreads · 135,764 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, navigates the dangers of the jungle under the guidance of Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. As he learns the Laws of the Jungle, he must outsmart the menacing tiger, Shere Khan, who seeks to destroy him. Alongside his animal friends, Mowgli embarks on thrilling adventures, including encounters with a snake-fighting mongoose and a mysterious elephant dance. Will Mowgli find his place in the wild, or will Shere Khan's relentless pursuit end his journey? Discover the magic and peril of the jungle in this timeless tale.

Sale price

$858

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.

Newbery Honor (1988)

186 pages· 42,458 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.0/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 466,188 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Brian faces the ultimate test of survival after a plane crash leaves him stranded in the Canadian wilderness. With only a hatchet and his wits, he must learn to fend for himself. As he battles nature's challenges, Brian discovers resilience and courage he never knew he had. Can he overcome the wild and his inner turmoil to find a way back to civilization? This gripping tale of endurance and self-discovery will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1906

White Fang

By Jack London

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 Goodreads · 212,099 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the unforgiving Yukon, White Fang, a half-dog, half-wolf, is the sole survivor of his litter. As he navigates the brutal laws of the wild, he grapples with distant memories of love and warmth. Can this fierce creature overcome his instincts and learn to trust humans once more? Journey with White Fang as he faces the ultimate challenge of survival and the possibility of redemption in a world that demands both savagery and tenderness.

Sale price

$1786

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1990

Woodsong

By Gary Paulsen

Survive wild adventures that inspired unforgettable stories.

144 pages· 31,132 words· Est. 3 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 4,180 ratings

$18.80Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Experience the thrilling real-life adventures of Gary Paulsen, who faced near disasters on a dogsled, braved a bear's wrath, and endured the grueling Iditarod. Discover the true tales behind his captivating novels.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1903

The Call of the Wild

By Jack London · Puffin Classics series

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 Goodreads · 487,682 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Buck, a pampered dog from sunny California, is betrayed and kidnapped, thrust into the brutal Yukon as a sledge dog. In this unforgiving wilderness, he must battle harsh conditions and fierce rivals. Can Buck adapt and rise to become the leader of the pack, or will the wild claim him? Discover his journey of survival and transformation in this gripping tale.

Sale price

$2071

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 Goodreads · 37,615 ratings

$21.80Save 5%

Prebound-Glued

Summary: Cole Matthews, consumed by anger, faces a choice: prison or a year of Circle Justice on an Alaskan island. After a brutal attack by a legendary Spirit Bear, Cole's survival hinges on confronting his inner demons. Can he transform his rage into redemption, or will his past consume him? As he battles the wilderness and his own soul, Cole's journey raises questions about responsibility, healing, and the power of forgiveness. Will the island's isolation and the bear's mysterious presence lead to his salvation, or is it too late for change?

Sale price

$1140

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1897

Stickeen

By John Muir, Carl Dennis Buell (Illustrator)

A man and his dog face a perilous glacier crossing during an Alaskan ice storm.

96 pages· 7,895 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 1,469 ratings

$12.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Naturalist John Muir and his loyal dog, Stickeen, embark on a treacherous journey across an Alaskan glacier. As an ice storm rages, their survival hangs in the balance. Will their bond and courage see them through the icy peril? This classic tale of adventure and resilience captures the raw beauty and danger of the wilderness.

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