Books like Curse of the Ruins by Gary Paulsen
Katie, Sam, and their cousin Shala arrive in San Marcos, New Mexico, eager to meet their grandfather, Dr. Crockett, an anthropologist researching the ancient cliff dwellers of El Debajo. When he is missing, the children wonder whether he has been kidnapped by enemies or if a real curse lingers over the ruins. Their journey into the mystery of El Debajo tests their family bonds and curiosity about the ancient culture that once thrived on those cliff dwellings.
First publish date: February 9, 1998
Genre: Adventure Fiction/Exploration Adventure
Authors: Gary Paulsen
★
★
★
★
★
2.0 (1 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for Curse of the Ruins by Gary Paulsen are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to Curse of the Ruins (23 similar books)
After a Cessna crash leaves teenage Brian Robinson alone in the Canadian wilderness, he must learn to survive, uncovering self-reliance and resilience amid a harsh, beautiful landscape.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A solitary Chumash girl is left on San Nicolas Island and must learn to survive alone, mastering skills traditionally reserved for men while facing danger, hunger and loneliness.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A young boy spends a year alone in the Catskill Mountains, learning wilderness survival, relying on nature and animal friends, and ultimately discovering that he cannot thrive without human companionship.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Brian Robeson faces an unforgiving winter after being stranded in the Canadian wilderness, testing his survival skills in a gripping, self-reliant adventure.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
An adventurous quest to Japan unfolds when a curious 7‑year‑old and his friend hunt a legendary samurai scroll, battling ninjas and saving the day in a whimsical tale of mystery and history.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Gerónimo Stilton, the well‑meaning editor of "El Eco de los Roedores," and his family are taken hostage by a gang of rogue pirate cats, sparking a humorous adventure filled with suspense and lively illustrations.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In the peaceful, deserted world of Veelox, 15‑year‑old Bobby Pendragon battles its dream‑world technology and the lingering threat of Saint Dane, testing whether the lure of virtual escape will derail his mission.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A 15‑year‑old boy, transformed by a 54‑day solo wilderness survival, volunteers for another solo trek to help scientists study the psychology of endurance and self‑reliance.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Geronimo Stilton and his family visit the spooky Vrekkenstein Castle, where mystery and adventure await.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Fourteen‑year‑old Bobby Pendragon becomes a Traveler with his uncle, racing across interdimensional worlds to avert catastrophe—this time on the water‑covered realm of Cloral, where he must defend floating cities and hunt the mysterious lost city of Faar to prevent a war and save the planet.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Young Samuel, 13, lives in a remote frontier colony and must trek into enemy-held New York City to rescue his kidnapped parents during the early American Revolution.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
During the eighteenth century in Maine, a young boy is left alone to guard his family's wilderness home and must learn survival skills from local Indians before anyone else arrives.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
An engaging nonfiction look at contemporary archaeologists, following their travels from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and Machu Picchu as they uncover stories of slaves, Ice Age hunters, soldiers, children of the first century, Chinese warrior women, sunken fleets, and mummies.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Geronimo Stilton leads a daring mission to foil a gang of pirate cats intent on stealing the Statue of Liberty from New Mouse City.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A thirteen-year-old girl is assigned to be a code-cracker for a secret agency to bust bad guys, while she must keep her mouth shut and stay cool.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
15‑year‑old Callum Ormond becomes a fugitive on a quest to uncover the truth behind a family tragedy, blending adventure, mystery, and suspense across a year‑long journey.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Four children survive a plane crash in the Amazon, discovering a ruined city and a hidden secret as they navigate its dangers.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A boy and his dog set out on an adventurous hunt to recover the park’s stolen hot dogs.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
15‑year‑old Callum Ormond becomes a fugitive while hunting truth behind a family member’s death.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Teen detective Callum Ormond becomes a fugitive while hunting the truth behind a family member’s death in Gabrielle Lord’s high‑stakes adventure series, *April* (Conspiracy 365 #4).
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In "Fugitive", a young hero spends two weeks in New York with his uncle Harry. What starts as a pleasant visit quickly turns into a thrilling adventure filled with mystery and danger.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Fourteen‑year‑old Nathan McAllister follows mysterious footprints and a hidden ghost canoe along Washington’s storm‑tossed coast, teaming with Makah fisherman George to uncover buried treasure, ancient secrets and a chilling betrayal.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
At Finniston Farm, the Famous Five race to uncover a hidden dungeon in a ruined castle and claim its secrets before a rival suspect.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
Hatchet #2: The Journey by Gary PaulsenHave a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!