Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling (2021)

Bowling returns readers to the Desert Southwest with the story of 12-year-old Jolene, who strikes out across the forbidding landscape to rescue a stranded tween ultralight pilot.

Connect the Stars by Melissa de los Santos and David Teague (2015)

Misfits Aaron and Audrey find friendship at a wilderness camp in the desert.

Distress Signal by Mary E. Lambert (2020)

When Lavender’s class is caught in a flash flood in the desert, she must put aside her differences with her former best friend and team up with a mean girl and a boy named John to survive.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (2000)

In this Newbery Honor winner, Brian is the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness and has only the clothes on his back and a hatchet.

Long Way Down by Jayson Reynolds (2017)

Fifteen-year-old Will seeks revenge for the shooting death of his brother in this tense young adult novel in verse. The story explores themes of grief and the cycle of violence.