11 YA Survival Stories Worth Obsessing Over

by Dena McMurdie

Background credit: one AND only/Shutterstock

YA survival stories show the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Whether it’s a girl battling the elements in the wild or a group of teens fighting for survival in deep space, survival stories always manage to captivate me. These books center on teen characters who rise above their challenges, adapt to their environments, and do whatever it takes to live another day.

Here are ten must-read young adult survival stories worth obsessing over.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2021.