September Reading Challenge: Against All Odds

September marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year. Now, if we were cynical (which we are not!), we might say that September is the beginning of a trek toward spring and the end of the school year.  

We will say that no matter what the season, a good survival story can be awfully inspiring.  

That’s why our September Reading Challenge theme is Against All Odds. This month, we’re highlighting gripping tales of courage and resilience—fiction and nonfiction about survival or beating the odds. 

For this challenge, we’ve curated a Hoopla collection of some of our favorite reads around the topic of Against All Odds. Here are some highlights, all available for free and with no waiting on Hoopla.

Featured Survival Stories on Hoopla

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 

In Panem’s 50th annual Hunger Games, fear spreads as the Quarter Quell demands twice as many tributes. In District 12, Haymitch Abernathy faces the crushing reality of being chosen, leaving behind the girl he loves and the life he knows. Forced into the Capitol with three unlikely companions, he discovers the Games are rigged against him—but his will to fight sparks something even greater than survival.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton 

From the author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle comes a high-concept murder mystery where solving the crime is the only way to save humanity. On an isolated island protected from a deadly fog, a scientist’s brutal murder threatens to lower the barriers that keep everyone alive. With just 107 hours to uncover the killer—and their memories erased—every villager is a suspect, and time is running out. 

Wool by Hugh Howey 

Wool, the first book in the New York Times bestselling Silo series, tells of humanity’s struggle to survive in an underground silo while the toxic outside world remains forbidden. When Juliette, a mechanic from the lower levels, is unexpectedly promoted to sheriff, she begins to question the rules meant to keep order. Her search for truth reveals a dangerous conspiracy—one that could either save humanity or destroy it completely. 

Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali by Cassidy Randall 

In 1970, a fearless team of women set out to make the first all-female ascent of Denali, North America’s tallest and most treacherous peak. Drawing on archival research and interviews, Cassidy Randall recounts their daring journey, the sexism they defied, and the dangers they faced on the icy climb. When disaster struck, the climbers had to rely on skill, grit, and courage to survive—and prove the doubters wrong.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah 

In 1974, the Allbright family moves to the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska, hoping for a fresh start but finding only greater challenges. Thirteen-year-old Leni navigates her parents’ turbulent relationship while adapting to the harsh realities of off-grid living. As winter closes in and darkness deepens, survival becomes not just about enduring the elements but confronting the growing dangers within their own home.

Join the Challenge 

This month, immerse yourself in thrilling survivor stories that celebrate perseverance and the will to beat the odds. Borrow these titles and more on Hoopla and discover the power of courage in the face of adversity. 

Happy reading!