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The Martian
by Andy Weir

MoreScore: 0 white cis-male straight survival science fiction mars engineering botany 448 pages Lexile: HL680L

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills--and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit--he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

The Martian
by Andy Weir

MoreScore: 0 white cis-male straight survival science fiction mars engineering botany 448 pages Lexile: HL680L

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Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray

Featured Book MoreScore: 6 non-white trans-female non-straight survival humor beauty pageants pirates plane crash 400 pages Lexile: HL690L

When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.

Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray

Featured Book MoreScore: 6 non-white trans-female non-straight survival humor beauty pageants pirates plane crash 400 pages Lexile: HL690L

When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.

The Birchbark House
by Louise Erdrich

MoreScore: 4 non-white cis-female undisclosed survival historical Lake Superior Region Ojibwe Colonization 229 pages Lexile: 970L

This is the story of a little girl, Omakayas, who lives with her family on an island in Lake Superior in the 1840s. It is the story of a loving family of adults and children, and the tribulations and joys they experience, in the course of a year that sees the decimation of the tribe by smallpox, introduced by European colonizers. The detail of daily life among the Ojibwa, so close to the land and to animals, is beautifully described and the characters are realized with a delightful warmth.

The Birchbark House
by Louise Erdrich

MoreScore: 4 non-white cis-female undisclosed survival historical Lake Superior Region Ojibwe Colonization 229 pages Lexile: 970L

This is the story of a little girl, Omakayas, who lives with her family on an island in Lake Superior in the 1840s. It is the story of a loving family of adults and children, and the tribulations and joys they experience, in the course of a year that sees the decimation of the tribe by smallpox, introduced by European colonizers. The detail of daily life among the Ojibwa, so close to the land and to animals, is beautifully described and the characters are realized with a delightful warmth.

Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell

MoreScore: 4 non-white cis-female undisclosed survival historical Native Americans California Islands 181 pages Lexile: 1000L

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kelp beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone in a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.

Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell

MoreScore: 4 non-white cis-female undisclosed survival historical Native Americans California Islands 181 pages Lexile: 1000L

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kelp beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone in a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.

Last Standing Woman
by Winona LaDuke

MoreScore: 3 non-white cis-female pending survival domestic Minnesota Anishinaabe 303 pages

A powerful and poignant novel tracing the lives of seven generations of Anishinaabe that skillfully intertwines social history, oral myth, and character study. Spans the time from initial contact with whites in the 1860s to a surprisingly utopian peak in conditions early in the next century.

Last Standing Woman
by Winona LaDuke

MoreScore: 3 non-white cis-female pending survival domestic Minnesota Anishinaabe 303 pages

A powerful and poignant novel tracing the lives of seven generations of Anishinaabe that skillfully intertwines social history, oral myth, and character study. Spans the time from initial contact with whites in the 1860s to a surprisingly utopian peak in conditions early in the next century.

Marrow Island
by Alexis Smith

Featured Book MoreScore: 3 white cis-female non-straight survival apocalyptic Remote Island Secret Cults Environmental Damage 208 pages

It has been twenty years since Lucie Bowen left the islands — when the May Day Quake shattered thousands of lives; when Lucie’s father disappeared in an explosion at the Marrow Island oil refinery, a tragedy that destroyed the island’s ecosystem; and when Lucie and her best friend, Katie, were just Puget Sound children hoping to survive. Now, Katie writes with strange and miraculous news. Marrow Island is no longer uninhabitable and no longer abandoned.

Marrow Island
by Alexis Smith

Featured Book MoreScore: 3 white cis-female non-straight survival apocalyptic Remote Island Secret Cults Environmental Damage 208 pages

It has been twenty years since Lucie Bowen left the islands — when the May Day Quake shattered thousands of lives; when Lucie’s father disappeared in an explosion at the Marrow Island oil refinery, a tragedy that destroyed the island’s ecosystem; and when Lucie and her best friend, Katie, were just Puget Sound children hoping to survive. Now, Katie writes with strange and miraculous news. Marrow Island is no longer uninhabitable and no longer abandoned.

On the Edge of Gone
by Corinne Duyvis

Featured Book MoreScore: 3 undisclosed cis-female undisclosed survival science fiction london space autism 464 pages Lexile: HL640L

With a comet on course to destroy Earth, Denise and her mother and sister, Iris, have been assigned to a temporary shelter outside their hometown of Amsterdam to wait out the blast, but Iris is nowhere to be found, and at the rate Denise's drug-addicted mother is going, they'll never reach the shelter in time. A last-minute meeting leads them to something better than a temporary shelter: a generation ship, scheduled to leave Earth behind to colonize new worlds after the comet hits.

On the Edge of Gone
by Corinne Duyvis

Featured Book MoreScore: 3 undisclosed cis-female undisclosed survival science fiction london space autism 464 pages Lexile: HL640L

With a comet on course to destroy Earth, Denise and her mother and sister, Iris, have been assigned to a temporary shelter outside their hometown of Amsterdam to wait out the blast, but Iris is nowhere to be found, and at the rate Denise's drug-addicted mother is going, they'll never reach the shelter in time. A last-minute meeting leads them to something better than a temporary shelter: a generation ship, scheduled to leave Earth behind to colonize new worlds after the comet hits.

Bitter Eden
by Tatamkhulu Afrika

Featured Book Stonwall Award MoreScore: 2 white cis-male non-straight survival realistic World War II Prisoner of War Homosexuality 240 pages

Bitter Eden tells the story of soldiers captured during World War II in North Africa and held as prisoners of war in Italy and Germany. This frank and beautifully wrought novel deals with the love triangle that forms between three men in the prison cape. The complex rituals of camp life, the brutality of prison, and the deep bonds that develop are heartbreakingly depicted. A tender, bitter, deeply felt book of lives inexorably changed, and of a war whose ending does not bring peace.

Bitter Eden
by Tatamkhulu Afrika

Featured Book Stonwall Award MoreScore: 2 white cis-male non-straight survival realistic World War II Prisoner of War Homosexuality 240 pages

Bitter Eden tells the story of soldiers captured during World War II in North Africa and held as prisoners of war in Italy and Germany. This frank and beautifully wrought novel deals with the love triangle that forms between three men in the prison cape. The complex rituals of camp life, the brutality of prison, and the deep bonds that develop are heartbreakingly depicted. A tender, bitter, deeply felt book of lives inexorably changed, and of a war whose ending does not bring peace.

The Cage
by Audrey Schulman

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival realistic Canada Tundra Wildlife Photographers 238 pages Lexile: 810L

The story of Beryl Findham a nature photographer on an otherwise all-male documentary expedition to the Canadian tundra. From within a small iron cage, she challenges herself to face the planet's largest land carnivores in the bone-aching cold of an unforgiving terrain. Before long, disaster strikes, and she must draw on her every strength in order to survive.

The Cage
by Audrey Schulman

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival realistic Canada Tundra Wildlife Photographers 238 pages Lexile: 810L

The story of Beryl Findham a nature photographer on an otherwise all-male documentary expedition to the Canadian tundra. From within a small iron cage, she challenges herself to face the planet's largest land carnivores in the bone-aching cold of an unforgiving terrain. Before long, disaster strikes, and she must draw on her every strength in order to survive.

Into the Forest
by Jean Hegland

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival apocalyptic California Sisters 256 pages

Over 30 miles from the nearest town, and several miles away from their nearest neighbor, Nell and Eva struggle to survive as society begins to decay and collapse around them. No single event precedes society's fall. There is talk of a war overseas and upheaval in Congress, but it still comes as a shock when the electricity runs out and gas is nowhere to be found. The sisters consume the resources left in the house, waiting for the power to return. Their arrival into adulthood, however, forces them to reexamine their place in the world and their relationship to the land and each other.

Into the Forest
by Jean Hegland

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival apocalyptic California Sisters 256 pages

Over 30 miles from the nearest town, and several miles away from their nearest neighbor, Nell and Eva struggle to survive as society begins to decay and collapse around them. No single event precedes society's fall. There is talk of a war overseas and upheaval in Congress, but it still comes as a shock when the electricity runs out and gas is nowhere to be found. The sisters consume the resources left in the house, waiting for the power to return. Their arrival into adulthood, however, forces them to reexamine their place in the world and their relationship to the land and each other.

Life of Pi
by Yann Martel

MoreScore: 2 non-white cis-male straight survival sea India Immigration Zoos 368 pages Lexile: 830L

Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger.

Life of Pi
by Yann Martel

MoreScore: 2 non-white cis-male straight survival sea India Immigration Zoos 368 pages Lexile: 830L

Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger.

Little House on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival historical American Frontier Families 368 pages Lexile: 600L

When Laura Ingalls and her family set out for Kansas, they travel for many days in their covered wagon until they find the perfect place to call home. Pioneer life is sometimes hard, but Laura and her family are busy and happy building their new little house.

Little House on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival historical American Frontier Families 368 pages Lexile: 600L

When Laura Ingalls and her family set out for Kansas, they travel for many days in their covered wagon until they find the perfect place to call home. Pioneer life is sometimes hard, but Laura and her family are busy and happy building their new little house.

Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival war Denmark Jews Holocaust 144 pages Lexile: 670L

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry

MoreScore: 2 white cis-female undisclosed survival war Denmark Jews Holocaust 144 pages Lexile: 670L

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen

MoreScore: 1 white cis-male undisclosed survival realistic Canada Wilderness 192 pages Lexile: 1020L

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present—and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parent’s divorce. There's no time for anger, self pity, or despair—it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.

Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen

MoreScore: 1 white cis-male undisclosed survival realistic Canada Wilderness 192 pages Lexile: 1020L

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present—and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parent’s divorce. There's no time for anger, self pity, or despair—it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.

A Hundred Hours of Night
by Anna Woltz

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female pending survival urban New York City Hurricane Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 256 pages Lexile: HL620L

When Emilia de Wit ran away to New York City, she planned everything to a T. Plane ticket, purchased. Cute apartment, rented online. Subway map, printed and highlighted. This was no ordinary trip -- this was Emilia's declaration of independence. Her chance to escape the disaster her life has become. But nothing goes ever goes to plan. She didn't plan to end up homeless. She didn't plan to make friends. And she could never have known that Hurricane Sandy would be barreling up the coast.

A Hundred Hours of Night
by Anna Woltz

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female pending survival urban New York City Hurricane Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 256 pages Lexile: HL620L

When Emilia de Wit ran away to New York City, she planned everything to a T. Plane ticket, purchased. Cute apartment, rented online. Subway map, printed and highlighted. This was no ordinary trip -- this was Emilia's declaration of independence. Her chance to escape the disaster her life has become. But nothing goes ever goes to plan. She didn't plan to end up homeless. She didn't plan to make friends. And she could never have known that Hurricane Sandy would be barreling up the coast.

Lord of the Flies
by William Golding

MoreScore: 1 white cis-male undisclosed survival boys anarchy 224 pages Lexile: 770L

At the dawn of world war II, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization they can do anything they want. Anything. But as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far removed from reality as the hope of being rescued.

Lord of the Flies
by William Golding

MoreScore: 1 white cis-male undisclosed survival boys anarchy 224 pages Lexile: 770L

At the dawn of world war II, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization they can do anything they want. Anything. But as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far removed from reality as the hope of being rescued.

Wild
by Cheryl Strayed

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female straight survival realistic Pacific Crest Trail Hiking Transcendentalism 336 pages Lexile: 1060L

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone.

Wild
by Cheryl Strayed

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female straight survival realistic Pacific Crest Trail Hiking Transcendentalism 336 pages Lexile: 1060L

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone.

The Wind Is Not a River
by Brian Payton

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female straight survival historical Aleutian Islands World War II Japanese Invasion 320 pages

A gripping tale of survival and an epic love story in which a husband and wife — separated by the only battle of World War II to take place on American soil — fight to reunite in Alaska's starkly beautiful Aleutian Islands. Journalist John Easley leaves behind his wife, Helen, to investigate the Japanese invasion of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, a story censored by the U.S. government. John's plane is shot down over the island of Attu and Helen must reinvent herself and undertake the quest to rescue her husband.

The Wind Is Not a River
by Brian Payton

MoreScore: 1 white cis-female straight survival historical Aleutian Islands World War II Japanese Invasion 320 pages

A gripping tale of survival and an epic love story in which a husband and wife — separated by the only battle of World War II to take place on American soil — fight to reunite in Alaska's starkly beautiful Aleutian Islands. Journalist John Easley leaves behind his wife, Helen, to investigate the Japanese invasion of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, a story censored by the U.S. government. John's plane is shot down over the island of Attu and Helen must reinvent herself and undertake the quest to rescue her husband.