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Five Faves: Action & Adventure Books for Reluctant Readers

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96 Miles
Written by J.L. Esplin
Starscape. 2020. Fiction. 271 Pgs.

The Lockwood brothers John and Stew have been taught to be self-sufficient and their dad has made sure they have plenty of food and water in case of an emergency. But when they are robbed while their dad is out of town during a blackout  the two brothers have only one choice if they want to survive. They must walk 96 miles in the desert to reach distant family friends who may be able to help them. If you love survival books with lots of adventure you will want to read this book. 


The Boy Who Met a Whale
Written by Nizrana Farook
Peachtree Publishing Company, 2021. Fiction. 191 Pgs.

Razi heads down to the beach one morning to watch the sea turtles hatch and discovers a boat not far away. When he approaches the boat he discovers an unconscious boy laying in the bottom. The boy Razi finds out is called Zheng. After Zheng regains consciousness he tells Razi stories of sea monsters and treasures. But the stories are not all Zheng brought with him, there are dangerous men who are looking for Zheng and his sister. Razi and Zheng must work together to outwit these dangerous men and so begins an adventure neither boy will soon forget.



Map of Flames
Written by Lisa McMann
Putnam's Sons, 2022. Fiction. 373 pgs.

Fifteen years ago eight adult criminals went into hiding. Years later seven of the adults have died leaving one adult alive along with five of the criminals supernatural children. One day Birdie discovers a note telling her to find her mother and deliver a secret map to her. Even though she was instructed to tell know one she confides in her friends. Birdie and her friends decide to go together and look for her mother. Their mission; find Birdie's mother who stayed behind in Estero and give the map to her. With the mysterious map in hand along with their own supernatural powers the five children enter a new world where being supernatural could be a crime. 

Lots of fun and humor in this exciting novel that is part spy kids and part X-men. If you love books that take you on exciting adventures you will love this new series by author Lisa McMann.


City Spies
Written by James Ponti
Aladdin, 2020. Fiction. 378 Pgs.

Sara has been invited to join Britain's MI6 program as a kid operative. At the MI6 facility in Scotland Sara meets other kid agents who, like Sara, have highly developed skills in logic, puzzles, sneakiness, and other useful spy tactics. After some training Sara and a few other kid operatives head off to Paris to use their skills and knowledge to stop a villain who is planning to attack at a youth environmental summit. 

If you are a fan of spy books like Masterminds, Spy School, or Sting, you will enjoy reading City Spies. 




Hatchet
Written by Gary Paulsen
Viking Penguin, 1988. Fiction. 195 Pgs.

Brian is flying to visit his father in Canada when the small plane he is flying on crashes into a lake. Brian survives the crash and swims to shore. All he has with him are the clothes on his back and a hatchet his mother gave him before he left. Brian doesn't know how long he must survive on his own in this dangerous wilderness he just takes it one day at a time. 

I love a good survival story and this is a favorite of mine because of Brian's strength and ability to survive despite the odds that are stacked against him. If you like a good adventure story this is one I would recommend reading.  












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