The Great Death by John Smelcer

What would you do if everyone you knew and loved died? What would you do if the only other living person was your little sister? What would you do if the two of you were all alone in the middle of Alaska in the heart of winter when temperatures drop below zero for days on end? What would you do if the only signs of life you saw were wild animals competing for the same food as you? What would you do if you witnessed your two beloved dogs being killed while trying to protect you? What would you do if all this happened to you and you were only 12? Join Millie and her younger sister Maura as they search for signs of life after "the white man's disease" wipes out their village in the early 1900's.

Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen

This is a quick read that will leave you cheering for 14-year-old Finn as he comes to realize his life and world are better when he lets people in. The summer starts out with him wanting to "turtle up for a while" until he meets his new neighbor, Johanna. Once he discovers she is battling breast cancer, he decides he will take her advice about people. In the process, he learns more about himself than he ever wanted to know. Together with his best friends Matthew and Dylan, they vow to help Johanna in every way they can.