My Side of the Mountain

Sam Gribley trades New York City for a hollowed-out tree, teaches himself to find food and stay warm, and raises a falcon named Frightful. It’s part survival story, part love letter to being alone in the woods and figuring things out.

Why we picked it

Perfect for a Utah summer. It’s the most hands-on book on our list — kids come away wanting to build a fire, identify a plant, or make something with their hands. It’s a quiet celebration of self-reliance without ever feeling like a lecture.

Questions to chew on

• Sam plans carefully before he leaves. Which of his preparations surprised you?
• He chooses to be alone, but he still gets lonely. How does he handle it?
• What’s one thing Sam does that you’d actually want to try?

Try this: pair the reading with one real outdoor skill this month — a fire, a knot, a plant you can name. That’s the whole spirit of the book.