Survival is more than just staying alive—it’s facing what’s inside. Theo finds himself in a haunting alternate reality where his town is literally upside-down and his depression has a physical voice.
Experience the strongest earthquake in U.S. history through the eyes of eleven-year-old Jackson. In this 4-star addition to the I Survived series, Lauren Tarshis blends high-stakes adventure with historical facts about the 1964 Alaska quake. With accessible text and vivid illustrations of splitting ground and towering tsunamis, it’s a perfect pick for reluctant readers and budding scientists interested in the power of our planet.
R.F. Kuang delivers a haunting Dark Academia twist on Dante’s Inferno. In Katabasis, two rival students descend into Hell to rescue a mentor—not for love, but for their academic futures. Using only chalk, runes, and their wits, they navigate a monotonous yet terrifying underworld. It’s a 4-star exploration of academic trauma and the lengths we go for validation. Perfect for high schoolers who loved Babel or Piranesi.
Dustborn is a gritty, high-octane post-apocalyptic Western that feels like The Hunger Games meets Mad Max. Following Delta as she navigates a world ravaged by solar flares to rescue her family, the novel explores powerful themes of found family and the dismantling of societal myths. Due to its intense themes and violence, it is best suited for Grade 12 readers looking for a complex story about trust and survival.
This stunning graphic novel adaptation of Ruta Sepetys’ Between Shades of Gray brings the harrowing history of Soviet deportations to life through expressive, haunting artwork. Following 15-year-old Lina from Lithuania to the depths of Siberia, the story explores the trauma of family separation and the power of art as a means of survival. An accessible yet deeply moving resource for middle and high school classrooms studying WWII.