Far North Will Hobbs, 1996

After the destruction of their floatplane, two teenage boys, a Texan and a Dene, struggle for survival in the wilderness along the South Nahanni River.

Gregor the Overlander Suzanne Collins, 2003

When 11-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

The Book of Three Lloyd Alexander, 1964

Valorous and humorous tales of Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, who determines to save the kingdom of Prydain from evil.

The Dark is Rising Susan Cooper, 1989

Will Stanton discovers the role he must play in the struggle to overcome the powers of the Dark.

Pictures of Hollis Woods Patricia Reilly Giff, 2002

A troublesome 12-year-old orphan, staying with an elderly artist who needs her, remembers the only other time she was happy in a foster home, with a family that truly seemed to care about her.

The Goose Girl Shannon Hale, 2003

On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim the crown that is rightfully hers.

The Lightning Thief Rick Riordan, 2005

After learning that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea, Percy Jackson is transferred from boarding school to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, and becomes involved in a quest to prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Becoming Naomi Leon Pam Munoz Ryan, 2004

When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father.

Loser Jerry Spinelli, 2002

Even though his classmates from first grade on have considered him strange and a loser, Daniel Zinkoff's optimism and exuberance and the support of his loving family do not allow him to feel that way about himself.

Flush Carl Hiaasen, 2005

With their father jailed for sinking a river boat, Noah Underwood and his younger sister, Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of this floating casino is emptying his bilge tanks into the protected waters around their Florida Keys home.

Code Talker Joseph Bruchac, 2005

After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.

Monster Walter Dean Myers, 1999

While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, 16-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 Christopher Paul Curtis, 1995

The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.

All Alone in the Universe Lynne Rae Perkins, 1999

Debbie is upset when her best friend Maureen starts spending time with ordinary Glenna.

Rules of the Road Joan Bauer, 1998

Sixteen-year-old Jenna gets a job driving the elderly owner of a chain of successful shoe stores from Chicago to Texas to confront the son who is trying to force her to retire, and along the way Jenna hones her talents as a saleswoman and finds the strength to face her alcoholic father.

The Thief Lord Cornelia Funke, 2001

Two brothers, having run away from the aunt who plans to adopt the younger one, are sought by a detective hired by their aunt, but they have found shelter with - and the protection of - Venice's "Thief Lord."

The First Part Last Angela Johnson, 2003

Bobby's carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes a father and must care for his adored baby daughter.

Z for Zachariah Robert C. O'Brien, 1987

Seemingly the only person left alive after a nuclear war, a 16-year-old girl is relieved to see a man arrive into her valley until she realizes that he is a tyrant and she must somehow escape.

Alanna: The First Adventure Tamora Pierce, 1983

Eleven-year-old Alanna, who aspires to be a knight even though she is a girl, disguises herself as a boy to become a royal page, and learns many hard lessons along her path to high adventure.

I am the Cheese Robert Cormier, 1977

A young boy desperately tries to unlock his past yet knows he must hide those memories if he is to remain alive.

Miracle's Boys Jacqueline Woodson, 2000

Twelve-year-old Lafayette's close relationship with his older brother Charlie changes after Charlie is released from a detention home and blames Lafayette for the death of their mother.

Dragonwings Laurence Yep, 1975

In the early 20th century a young Chinese boy joins his father in San Francisco and helps him realize his dream of making a flying machine.