Incredible Journeys
Unforgettable Books About Unconventional Voyages
Pack your bags and explore these books about adventurers, runaways, refugees, and other travelers. Make sure to add our curated vocabulary lists to your itinerary — we’ll help you master the vocabulary you need to navigate these exciting excursions and expeditions.
The HobbitIn this prequel to The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet life until a group of dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf enlist him in their quest for a dragon's treasure.
Orphan TrainChristina Baker Kline's historical novel follows two young women searching for a sense of belonging: Molly, a teen navigating the foster system in 2011, and Niamh, an Irish immigrant orphaned on the cusp of the Great Depression. Discover how their lives intersect as you learn these words from Orphan Train.
The RoadIn this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a man and a boy struggle for survival in a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape. 2006 Vintage International edition.
Louisiana’s Way HomeIn this sequel to Raymie Nightingale, 12-year-old Louisiana Elefante struggles to figure out where she belongs after her grandmother mysteriously makes her leave their Florida home in the middle of the night.
RefugeeThree young refugees — a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939, a Cuban girl suffering under the Castro regime in 1994, and a Muslim boy trying to escape war-torn Syria in 2015 — make desperate journeys in search of freedom and safety.
Walk Two MoonsWhile trying to track down her missing mother, thirteen-year-old Salamanca entertains her grandparents with strange stories about a girl named Phoebe Winterbottom.
Beyond the Bright SeaAs a baby, Crow was discovered in a boat adrift at sea and raised on an isolated island off of Cape Cod. When twelve-year-old Crow spots a fire on a nearby island, once the home of a leper colony, she begins to investigate her own past.
Clayton Byrd Goes UndergroundClayton Byrd dreams of playing the blues, just like his grandfather. When his grandfather dies, a distraught Clayton runs away from home in the hopes of joining a blues band.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward TulaneThe title character of this novel is a china rabbit that travels through many hands. Learn the words that award-winning author Kate DiCamillo used to bring Edward Tulane to life.
The Incredible JourneyThis classic novel tells the story of three pets who go on a quest through the wilderness to reunite with their owner.
Salt to the SeaThrough the alternating perspectives of four fictional teens, best-selling author Ruta Sepetys dramatizes the experiences of refugees searching for a safe haven during World War II. Learn key vocabulary from this engrossing historical novel based on a true story.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. FrankweilerWhen Claudia Kincaid and her brother run away from home, they find themselves caught up in a mystery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Learn these words from E. L. Konigsburg's award-winning novel.
One Crazy SummerIn the summer of 1968, three sisters travel to California to visit their estranged mother. While there, they learn about the fight for equality and civil rights.
Paper TownsWhen his old friend (and crush) Margo disappears, Quentin tries to find out what happened to her by following the clues she left behind.
Patron Saints of NothingHigh school senior Jay Reguero travels to the Philippines to investigate his cousin's murder — and grapples with his identity as a Filipino American.
SistersIn this graphic memoir, Raina Telgemeier recounts a childhood road trip to Colorado and explores her relationship with her sister Amara.
The Journey of Little CharlieIn order to repay a debt, twelve-year-old Charlie agrees to help the cruel Cap'n Buck to capture several fugitive slaves. But when Charlie is confronted with the horrors of slavery, he is forced to reconsider his plans.
Travels with Charleyin Search of AmericaIn this travelogue, acclaimed author John Steinbeck sets out on a roadtrip across America with his best friend, a French poodle named Charley.
Gulliver's TravelsLemuel Gulliver travels to unusual and exotic lands in this unique blend of adventure and satire.
My Side of the MountainCrowded by his parents and eight siblings in a New York City apartment, twelve-year-old Sam Gribley runs away to live by himself on his great-grandfather's abandoned farm in the Catskill Mountains.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham1963When the Watson family pays Grandma a visit in Alabama, they find themselves caught up in the battle for civil rights.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyWhen Earth is destroyed to make way for a freeway, Arthur Dent joins his friend Ford Prefect on a hilarious odyssey through space. Learn these words from the first book in Douglas Adams's popular science fiction series.
100 Sideways MilesNothing ever seems to go in the direction Finn Easton wants, but with the help of his best friend and new girlfriend, he might finally be able to escape the shadow of his father's bestselling novel.
An Abundance of KatherinesAfter graduation, child prodigy Colin and his best friend Hassan go on a road trip and attempt to understand the nature of love.
The Phantom TollboothIn this novel filled with wordplay, the eternally bored Milo travels to the Lands Beyond and embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Learn these words from Norton Juster's beloved classic.
Everything, EverythingDiagnosed with a rare immune disorder, Madeline is unable to experience the world outside her protective bubble. But when Olly moves in next door, she must decide whether to risk everything for love.
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