The Fort By: Gordon Korman

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

"The Fort" is a Red Maple 2024 nominee and is Gordon Korman's 100th book.  This book tells the story of a group of friends who live in a small town.  When the town gets hit by a hurricane, they venture off into the forest to see if their fort survived.  Unfortunately, it did not, but the new kid discovers something better.  The hurricane has unearthed the opening to a bunker.  The boys quickly settle into a routine of spending time together in the bunker.  This book gives the reader the perspective of each boy and the challenges each one faces, including an abusive stepfather and divorce.  It is a story of friendship and family.  I highly recommend this book to fans of  Gordon Korman or realistic fiction.