Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Crow has lived her whole life on a tiny, starkly beautiful island. Her only companions are Osh and Miss Maggie. But when a mysterious fire appears across the water, Crow decides to set out to find her lost identity and learn what it means to be a family.

Themes: exploration, found family

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight. Her extraordinary journey will have consequences far beyond her own world...

Themes: exploration, map skills, fantasy

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

After the tiny aeroplane they are riding in crashes, Fred and three other children must fend for themselves in the vast Amazon jungle. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them...

Themes: Amazon rainforest, exploration, survival skills

After the tiny aeroplane they are riding in crashes, Fred and three other children must fend for themselves in the vast Amazon jungle. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them...

Themes: Amazon rainforest, exploration, survival skills

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Isabella Riosse lives on the mysterious island of Joya, forbidden from venturing beyond her small township. When her best friend Lupe runs away, Isabella must use her knowledge of ancient myths and maps to guide her on her perilous journey into the forbidden forest, where monsters lurk and magical rivers run.

Themes: maps, islands, rivers, mountains, survival skills

Race to the Frozen North by Catherine Johnson

This book tells the true story of Matthew Henson, an ordinary man who did extraordinary things after a chance meeting with Commander Robert E. Peary. He faced up against challenges and prejudice and developed an array of skills to complete a treacherous journey to the North Pole.

Themes: maps, sailing, race, exploration, survival skills

Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food and no water, he curls up and closes his eyes ready for the end. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone...

Themes: storms, survival skills, friendship, islands

Illegal by Eoin Colfer

After his brother disappears, Ebo undertakes an epic journey to Europe in search of refuge. It takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But, with every step, he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his sister.

Themes: refugees, survival, African desert, seas, graphic novel

Scavengers by Darren Simpson

Landfill has lived his whole life as a scavenger, running with wooflings, swimming with turtles and feasting on whatever he can catch. He has always been told to never venture beyond the wall. But Landfill longs to see what lies beyond, and some rules are made to be broken...

Themes: environment, found family, peril, exploration

Landfill has lived his whole life as a scavenger, running with wooflings, swimming with turtles and feasting on whatever he can catch. He has always been told to never venture beyond the wall. But Landfill longs to see what lies beyond, and some rules are made to be broken...

Themes: environment, found family, peril, exploration

Asha and the Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan

Asha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. When her father stops sending money from the city, she faces losing her home and her mother. Together with her best friend Jeevan, she sets out on a journey through the wilderness to find her father - sensing the spirit bird of her grandmother watching over her.

Themes: Himalayan mountains, family, survival, friendship

Kick by Mitch Johnson

Budi's plan is simple. He's going to be a star. He's going to play for the greatest team on earth, instead of sweating over each football boot he makes. But one unlucky kick brings Budi's world crashing down. Now he owes the most dangerous man in Jakarta. Soon it isn't only Budi's dreams at stake, but his life.

Themes: football, Indonesia, globalisation, exploitation, survival