Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

This book is based on a true story.  Karana is twelve years old and her people are being moved from their island home to a new one.  Everyone boards the ships but she cannot find her little brother anywhere.  As the ship leaves she sees her brother standing on the beach.  She jumps overboard and goes to him.  This begins their life of living alone on the island.  It is a story of survival and loneliness, perseverance and determination.  Karana builds weapons, clothing, even a house for her survival.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Nobody “Bod” Owens is the sole survivor of the attack that killed both of his parents- but the knife was meant for him!  As a baby he crawled out of his crib and escaped the murderer by crawling to the graveyard.  Mr. and Mrs. Owens, who happen to be ghosts, take pity on him and raise him.  But how is  a living child raised in a graveyard?  And will the relentless killer ever find his true target?  Read The Graveyard Book to find out.