'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe

One of the first novelists in English language, Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe is an inspirational adventure fiction for young adults. The protagonist Robinson Crusoe, rejecting the peace of a quiet middle-class life, decides to answer the call of the sea by becoming a sailor. However, fate had other plans for him as his ship wrecks and he ends up in an island, appropriately named island of despair. Crusoe had to survive for two decades in a harsh environment. How his inner strength, resourcefulness, religious and moral viewpoint allowed him to live through the unbearable solitude in that island is the subject of this novel. Another major character of this novel is Friday, Crusoe’s faithful servant, whom Crusoe rescued from man-eaters of the island. Robinson Crusoe builds a life based on agriculture and animal husbandry, educates Friday and finally escapes the island and returns to mainland. A story of survival, persistence and virtue -Robinson Crusoe will inspire any reader.

Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe, London : Vintage, 2008.

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'Call of the Wild' by Jack London

American author Jack London’s mythical novel Call of the Wild was published in 1903. The story is based on 19th century life in the Canadian territory of Yukon, during the gold rush when sled dogs were used for mining. The main character of this novel is a powerful St. Bernard-Scotch Collie dog named Buck. Buck was originally domesticated, but later sold to the brutal life of a sled dog. He faces cruel treatment from humans and other dogs, fights the harsh climate and cold winter nights using his survival instincts and eventually becomes a leader dog. He develops extraordinary friendship with his new master Thornton, who realises that Buck is a special dog and takes care of him. In turn of few tragic events. Buck finds himself all alone again. Call of the Wild is an extraordinary story of adventure, survival and friendship - which would suit readers of any age, particularly dog-lovers.

London, Jack. Call of the Wild, London : Puffin, 2010.

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