Summer is the perfect time to explore, but you don't have to live near the wilderness to go on an exciting adventure – all you need is a library card and a few awesome book suggestions about the great outdoors. From survival fiction books to The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide, the library has a variety of resources to help you explore and experience nature. Whether you're preparing for adventure of your own or looking to travel vicariously through others, let the library help you "get lost" in a good book this summer. You never know what you might find . . .


Fiction Books


Thirteen-year-old Brian is flying to Canada to visit his father for the summer when the small plane's pilot has a heart-attack and dies. After trying unsuccessfully to land the plane himself, Brian crashes into a lake in the middle of a forest. Stranded alone, the city boy must learn to survive in the wild using nothing more than a hatchet. Will he be resourceful enough to stay alive until help comes . . . or will he even be rescued at all? 
After visiting her aunt in Hawaii, teenage Robie is anxious to fly home to a small group of Pacific islands called the Midway Atoll. But hopping on the next cargo flight out of Honolulu might have been the biggest mistake of her life. When a storm causes the plane's engine to cut out, Robie is suddenly struggling to breath in the choppy ocean waters. Pulled onto a raft by the co-pilot, Max, the duo find themselves surrounded by sharks with no drinkable water and nothing to eat but a bag of Skittles. Robie asks herself “What's worse than this?” – and she soon finds out.

Stoked to shred some fresh powder on a snowboarding trip, cousins Liam and Tej's excitement soon turns to fear when the slippery roads send their truck rolling down the side of the mountain. Stranded in the cold in the middle of nowhere, the teens soon discover they are being stalked by a hungry bear. They know they need help – and they need it fast, but when Tej gets hurt, Liam must attempt to find help all by himself.
Novels narrated from a dog's point of view are rare, but author Jack London proves that they can be incredibly poignant when done correctly. When Buck, a half St. Bernard, half Shepard, is stolen from his domestic home in California and sold as a sled dog in Canada's Yukon Territory, he reverts back to his wild state. Forced to compete with other dogs in the harsh and frozen climate as he is passed from master to master, Buck must rely on his instincts to emerge as a leader in the wild.
As the daughter of a forest ranger, 16-year-old Grace has lived in the rugged Smokey Mountains her whole life and is no stranger to the wilderness. When her dad suddenly goes missing, Grace must fight against the local authorities, tribe leaders and nature to find him. One day while out tracking for clues, Grace is saved by the mysterious and handsome Mo. Torn between new feelings for Mo and her ex-boyfriend, Grace moves deeper into the forest to find her father, only to discover herself tangled in a web of conspiracy, deception and murder.

Nonfiction Books

Written by outdoors expert Kevin Callan, this step-by-step book covers all the must-know info about camping, like how to pack the essentials for any length of trip, how to beat the bugs, stake a tent, build a fire, ward off unwanted wildlife and more.
Edible Wild Plants for Beginners provides profiles of common edible wild plants and includes information on dangerous look-alikes, the best time to harvest, where to find each type of wild plant, and how to cultivate your own garden. 
A complete guide to selecting, tying and using a wide variety of knots, this book covers everything from hauling logs to securing the canoe to wrapping a present. Beginners can master the basics before progressing to the more difficult knots.
Make the odds in your favor and train like a Tribute using this wilderness survival guide. From Katniss's hunting and stalking skills to Peeta's camouflage techniques, this book's detailed instructions will help you master the skills necessary in any wilderness or disaster survival situation.
This illustrated guide is essential for anyone looking to get into the sport of canoeing. With sections on the mechanics of good paddling, followed by a catalog of the most important strokes, this book's vibrant photos and concise text will get you out on the water and paddling like a pro in no time!

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