Adventure stories are dominated by action, danger, risk, and excitement. They often involve fast-paced events set in exotic or distant places that are more remarkable than everyday life. The protagonist is traditionally male but that is changing. In the best stories, adventures change the hero and take place in magic realms unconstrained by reality. Examples provided span 1856 to present day and include classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Lord of the Rings, and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

1. The Adventure Genre

2. • Adventure stories are
•
•
•
dominated by action
They involve danger,
risk, and excitement
The action is often
fast-paced
They are sometimes
set in exotic or distant
places

3. • Events in these
•
•
stories are more
remarkable and
extraordinary than in
everyday life
The protagonist in
adventure stories has
been traditionally
male, but that is
changing
In the best
stories, adventures
change the hero

4. • Magic Adventure
*Takes place in a magic realm
* Story is not limited to reality

5. Examples of Adventure
• 1856 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by
Mark Twain
• The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
• Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• My Side of the Mountain by Jean
Craighead George

6. Examples of Adventure cont.
• Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
• White Water by P.J. Peterson
• Call of the Wild by Jack London
• The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
• The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by
J.R.R. Tolkien

7. Would you like to go on an
adventure today?