Books for Kids Who Loved Alone by Megan E. Freeman

If you loved Alone, the first book on your radar should be its companion title! This book answers many of the questions readers had about the evacuation in Alone and unravels a conspiracy theory with the help of a group of kids who decide to investigate what happened. Grades 5+

Ava loves nature and wishes she could spend more time in the woods instead of her family’s Manhattan apartment. Fortune seems to smile on her when her auntie Raven, who is estranged from her mom, allows her to spend the summer in the Adirondacks with her. A summer stay turns into a year-long stay with Ava’s parent’s permission. However, a miscommunication leads to Ava being stuck at the cottage in the winter and having to survive on her own before help comes. Starring a Black female protagonist with a love for the outdoors, this book celebrates living off the land and caring for the natural world. Hand to camping fans, kids who dream of living off the land, and lovers of survival fiction. Grades 5+

Jo (aka Josephine, named after Jo March) is still reeling from her parents’ divorce and her father’s decision to leave them for his girlfriend and her family. To prove that she and her mom can handle life without him, Jo and her mom embark on the Lake Superior hike to do 100+ miles to the Lutsen Gondola with their backpacks, dehydrated food, tents, and a book (for Jo). As the two weather hilly terrain, minor injuries, wild animals, new friendships, disappointments, and adverse weather, they learn to find their inner strength to move on and to forgive Tim, Jo’s father. This is a triumphant celebration of adventure, perseverance, and the healing power of the outdoors. Grades 5+

This is an engaging survival story about three cousins–two sisters and their cousin, Owen–who get separated from their parents when an earthquake strikes during a hiking trip. The three kids are dealing with individual challenges in their lives, and as they try to hike a long route to reconnect with their families, they also make time for healing together. I love how much this book celebrates nature while being appropriate for younger middle grade readers, and maintaining a strong sense of adventure. Also, one of the kids loves cooking, and I just adored all the foodie scenes on the trail. Grades 4+

Heartbreaking story about two siblings separated from their family while escaping North Korea in the 1950s during the Korean War. I was stressed reading all that Sora and her brother had to survive to reach Busan and hopefully reunite with their family. This story explores gender equality as Sora is treated as less than her brothers by some family members who openly proclaim boy children to be more valuable than girls. There’s also plenty to discuss about ethics in the time of war and survival as Sora has to make some morally questionable choices to get by and the adults they encounter on the way aren’t always the safest or most trustworthy. This would make an amazing readaloud for young readers who enjoy survival stories but also like tearjerkers and feel passionate about social issues. Grades 5+

12-year-old Jolene has a tough life. Her mom is misusing opioids and can barely care for her. She’s mocked at school for wearing too-small clothing and looking haggard. Jolene’s only bright spot is a tween pilot she watches via livestream at the library, “Addie Earhart.” Addie and Jolene gradually form a warm friendship and encourage each other through life’s hardships. But one day during the livestream, Addie crashes her plane. No one but Jolene is watching the stream, and Addie’s mom doesn’t know she even flies planes. It’s up to Jolene to save her. This is a heart-pounding middle grade novel about self-worth, friendships, and the struggle of a parent with addiction. It features a strong-willed heroine willing to sacrifice her wellbeing to save a friend, even when other people don’t believe her. Grades 6+

Sisters Abby, Emma, and Ollie can’t seem to get it together. After months of squabbling, their parents ship them off to summer camp together to figure out their issues. The girls succeed in ignoring each other most of the time, but a hike gone wrong on their last day forces them to work together against hunger, near-drownings, and bear attacks. The story alternates between the past and the present so readers can see what went wrong with the sisters and watch them make their way back. This is a heartfelt survival middle grade book about sisterhood, tween angst, and identity. Starring three sisters between the ages of 9 and 13, this story will work for various ages and appeal to kids with diverse interests. Grades 4+

Fans of war stories will love this Alan Gratz book! Three kids living in different time periods and countries go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers — from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end. Grades 6+

Hannah lives on a tiny island and is occupied with the usual tween worries until one night when she’s babysitting for the neighbors, and the shaking starts. The earthquake damages the house and the ferry leading to the island, leaving Hannah disconnected from the world, with two kids to keep safe until help comes. This book was so suspenseful, and I enjoyed seeing all the nifty ways Hannah kept the kids occupied and cared for. Grades 5+

Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Years later, Addy’s grandmother has enrolled her in a summer wilderness program. There, Addy joins five other Black city kids—each with their own troubles—to spend a summer out west. Deep in the forest the kids learn new (and to them) strange skills: camping, hiking, rock climbing, and how to start and safely put out campfires. Most important, they learn to depend upon each other for companionship and survival. But then comes a devastating forest fire… and Addy must put all her skills to use in order to survive. Grades 6+