The Fort
Book Trailers
About the Author
GORDON KORMAN is a prolific, multi-genre author of books for young people. Scholastic published his first book when he was a high school freshman in 1978, and he hasn't slowed down since. The Fort is his 100th novel! His books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide. Korman has a BFA from New York University with a major in Dramatic Writing and a minor in Film and TV. The Canadian native now resides in Long Island, New York with his wife and family.
About the Book
The morning after Hurricane Leo rips through their town, Evan, Jason, Mitchell, and CJ find a total mess outside, with downed branches and uprooted trees everywhere. They know they should stay indoors--but they want to go exploring, even if it means having a new kid, Ricky, tag along.
Ricky's the first one to discover a strange trapdoor in the middle of the woods--the door to an old bomb shelter, unearthed by the hurricane. Inside, the boys find a completely intact underground lair, complete with electricity, food, and even a TV. The boys vow to keep the place a secret. It's theirs now.
But some secrets are hard to keep... especially when adults and older kids are closing in. And what started as a fun place to escape soon becomes a serious refuge for one of the boys who is trying to avoid his abusive stepfather. The Fort has become the safest place they have--will they be able to protect it?
Praise for The Fort:
Georgia Jr. Tome It List, 2023-2024, for Grades 6-8
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2025, for Grades 4-8
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2023-2024--Grades 6-8
Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award, 2-23-2024, Grades 6-8
Utah Beehive Award, 2024, Young Adult, Grades 7-12
Resources/Teaching Ideas
General Study Guide
Activity Guide from Teachingbooks.net (This link contains comprehensive info about Korman, activities on characterization, discussion questions, and more!)
Author Interviews
Transcript of interview with Korman on the "power of humor" when discussing tough subjects and 4 min. of Korman reading The Fort
Interview from The Hornbook about The Fort
National Writing Project Interview with Korman (video- 40+ minutes)
Historical Context: Videos on The Cold War & Bunkers
Tour of Cold War Bunker (news broadcast tours historic bunker in Texas)
Extension Activities
Compare & Contrast: Use the bunker's description from The Fort to the bunker in the 1999 movie Blast from the Past. (Note: The movie is PG-13, so be selective in choosing your clip!)
Critical Thinking Activity: Nuclear Bunker (Team-building: What would you put in a shelter?)
Science Activity: Fallout Shelter Activity
Additional Resources
Domestic Abuse
National Child Abuse 24/7 Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
National Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Centers for Disease Control: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children
International OCD Foundation: OCD at School
Social Media