Extreme Adventures Book Club!

This is a weekly book club where we explore the adventures of a teenage boy who always seems to find himself in the midst of a dangerous situation, whether being attacked by a dangerous animal or getting caught in a natural disaster of some sort-such as a bushfire or giant wave. These books are exciting reads you won't want to put down! This series has a strong appeal with a courageous young hero and exotic settings, as well as non-stop action and short chapters that will engage reluctant readers.

Each student will read the first half of the book assigned in one week and the last half of the book in the following week. Students can read at their own pace at home; however, it is recommended to finish the piece of literature or come very close before the class takes place; otherwise, there is the risk that the ending will be discussed during class. Every two weeks, you will have a new book, so if your student needs an extended period to read through their book, I recommend starting the previous week. There will be no reading of the book in class time. Each can be read as a standalone book if you miss classes or start the series late. 

Each week, the students will spend between 3-5 minutes (depending on how many students are in the class) sharing a small passage or sentence they liked from what they read with them to the class. They will also answer a couple of questions about what they read. For example: Did you like it and why? Would you recommend this read to someone else? Do you relate to any of the characters? Do you think the main character should have made any different choices? Etc. If there is extra time after class, they will get the opportunity to ask other students questions. 

!*Parents Beware*!
Some of the action might be a little violent for your preferences. For example, in Crocodile Attack, Sam believes that his toddler cousin Nissa was killed when she was taken under the water by a wave, but she ends up surviving. In Shark Bait, Sam is captured by parrot smugglers who later shoot at him as he escapes, and one of the smugglers is even killed by a cassowary. In each of these books, Sam deals with life-threatening circumstances ranging from natural disasters to bad guys being bad guys. These books touch on the thought of loss of life and stay true to the expected natural feelings a young person would experience when faced with life and death circumstances but ultimately end with perseverance and survival. Also, there is a bit of misinformation about some of the animals in the books (only in the context of adding dramatic flair). Still, these are otherwise a very energetic read. These would be great for a student who needs to work on chapter book skills: exciting and quick starting. Approx. 140 softcover pages each.

Feb 17-25, Crocodile Attack #1
A robber has kidnapped Sam Fox and his cousin Nissa during a tropical Cyclone. When the getaway car crashes into the raging Crocodile River, Sam and Nissa must face one ordeal after another to survive against incredible odds.

March 3-11, Bushfire Rescue #2
It’s the holidays, and Sam Fox has gone to the high country to stay with his grandparents. While trying to stop cattle rustlers from stealing a stud bull, an injured Sam is isolated in the mountains during a horrific bushfire. To survive, he must rely on his courage, ingenuity, and the help of Chainsaw--a mad old rodeo bull!

March 17-25, Shark Bait #3
When Sam and his friend are swept off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, Sam must fight to keep them alive. As night falls over the ocean, the underwater predators start moving in.

March 31- April 8, Scorpion Sting #4
Sam Fox is on a caving expedition in the desert when the roof collapses, trapping his brother Nathan beneath tons of rubble. Nathan is in bad shape, and Sam is his only hope. But when he reaches the cave exit, Sam discovers a sea of huge, angry scorpions! And that's just the first deadly obstacle he will have to face if he's to get his brother out alive…

April 14-22, Spider Bite #5
When Sam Fox's twin brothers, Harry and Jordan, are carried off in a runaway hot air balloon, Sam tries to save them only to end up trapped himself! What starts as a joy ride turns into a life-or-death struggle when Jordan is bitten by a Sydney funnel-web spider. Will Sam be able to land the balloon in time to save his brother?

April 28- May 6, Man Eater #6
Sam Fox is at a youth conference in Africa when the bus takes off without him, leaving him stranded. Within minutes, he's attacked by an angry elephant and half-blinded by a spitting cobra. A young Masai tells Sam he needs medical attention fast! However, the only way to the hospital is through Chui Hills. The same hills are being terrorized by a ferocious, man-eating leopard.

May 12-20, Killer Whale #7
After an emergency landing in Antarctica, Sam Fox and his younger brother are stranded on a wobbly ice floe. Just when it seems things couldn't get any worse, a massive creature emerges from the deep. A creature with huge jaws and rows and rows of teeth, and then you can't forget about the pirates.

May 26- Jun 3, Grizzly Trap #8
Assistant Cub Scout leader Sam Fox is on a trip to North America with his pack when their bus crashes. With some people seriously injured, Sam and two cubs must set off to find help. They are thousands of miles from home, in the middle of the wilderness, and it is full of howling wolves and a massive, unpredictable grizzly bear.