Many have read Robinson Crusoe, but not as many have read or heard of the sequel. Like the first book, it is full of life lessons and just as thrilling. The reader follows Robinson Crusoe’s travels back to the island and across the world by sea and land, ultimately through China and Russia.

Early in the book, the most striking part is the starving ship. (The effects of starvation are described in detail.) Then, toward the middle, Crusoe is told about the cannibal wars that took place while he was gone and how the inhabitants found wives.

The reader is made to see the difference between the industrious islanders and those who were lazy and treacherous.

After leaving the island, Crusoe has several adventures. The reader witnesses his courage before, during, and after a massacre in Madagascar and during his treacherous journey through Tartar and Russian land.

In the book’s final part, he learns a valuable lesson during a conversation with an exiled Russian prince about contentment.

I read this print-on-demand version. (There is a lot of text on each page, so a Kindle version might be more readable for middle school kids.)