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Frightful's Daughter
Frightful's Daughter
Fans of Sam Gribley and his falcon friend, Frightful, will thrill to Jean Craighead George's new book about these beloved characters. Now living in the wild, Frightful and her mate hatch three babies. The female, Oksi, "does things her own way" and, like her mother, is destined for greatness. Readers will follow her singular path from the time she breaks out of her rosy shell to her young adulthood, when Sam saves her life and they bond.
Jean George's themes--the interdependence of human and animal, respect for the wild, and the importance of nature--shine through in her storytelling. In the latest book in her best-selling wilderness series, she introduces a younger group of readers to that one mountain among thousands and the one boy, Sam, who lives there. With majestic, sweeping artwork of the sky and forest near Sam's mountain, Daniel San Souci adds his vision to the story of these noble, remarkable raptors and their human friends.
Jean George's themes--the interdependence of human and animal, respect for the wild, and the importance of nature--shine through in her storytelling. In the latest book in her best-selling wilderness series, she introduces a younger group of readers to that one mountain among thousands and the one boy, Sam, who lives there. With majestic, sweeping artwork of the sky and forest near Sam's mountain, Daniel San Souci adds his vision to the story of these noble, remarkable raptors and their human friends.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
About the author
Jean Craighead George
200 books1,569 followersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 22, 2023
Quick read! Enjoyed it.
Read 2023, in conjunction with Frightful’s mountain. This is a short story that gives a small glimpse into one of Frightful’s daughters and the drama at the bridge. Enjoyed reading this one in context of the other stories.
Read 2023, in conjunction with Frightful’s mountain. This is a short story that gives a small glimpse into one of Frightful’s daughters and the drama at the bridge. Enjoyed reading this one in context of the other stories.
June 20, 2020
This is a lovely picture book companion to the "My Side of the Mountain" trilogy.
July 21, 2021
I guess this book wasn't really what I was expecting. I saw the lovely cover illustration and thought it would be a story about a falcon growing up in the wild, which it is, but only partly.
Falconry (using trained birds of prey to hunt small animals) is a major part of this story. Poachers who take birds from the wild for sale on the illegal market are disapprovingly highlighted, however, there are also references to licensed falconers who also take birds from the wild--while the standard of care may be better for the latter, it's doubtful the wild birds experiencing the capture process care much either way. (We also see how this occupation works when a licensed falconer uses a live pigeon as bait to attempt to lure a falcon into a trap.)
While the illustrations are lovely and we do see acts of compassion by a young boy who cares for a lost and hungry young falcon, I think readers' enjoyment of this one will be based upon their own expectations and feelings about falconry and hunting.
Falconry (using trained birds of prey to hunt small animals) is a major part of this story. Poachers who take birds from the wild for sale on the illegal market are disapprovingly highlighted, however, there are also references to licensed falconers who also take birds from the wild--while the standard of care may be better for the latter, it's doubtful the wild birds experiencing the capture process care much either way. (We also see how this occupation works when a licensed falconer uses a live pigeon as bait to attempt to lure a falcon into a trap.)
While the illustrations are lovely and we do see acts of compassion by a young boy who cares for a lost and hungry young falcon, I think readers' enjoyment of this one will be based upon their own expectations and feelings about falconry and hunting.
February 26, 2015
Frightful's Daughter is about 30 pages with one to a few small paragraphs per page. This book is part of a series of books about Frightful the falcon in the Catskill Mountains. In this one, it focuses on the development and life of Frightful's daughter, Oksi. Oksi's two brothers are stolen when they are all just newly born, but Oksi survives. Frightful doesn't know this so she unknowingly abandons her, and Oksi gets picked but by a little boy named Sam. He takes her back and puts her on a perch in is yard, where Frightful finds her and helps take care of her, along with Sam. It quickly becomes apparent that Oksi is very independent like her mother and she "does things her one way" many times throughout the book. Eventually it comes time for Oksi to go south for the season and leave Sam. She eventually returns with a male mate, creating a full circle of the story. The illustrations in this book are mostly double page with the text in a word box on the edge. The rich watercolors emphasize the various environments and seasons the story is in, helping students learn and understand what the habitat of a Falcon is. The story has a great message about the interdependence of human and animal, respect for the wild, and the importance of nature. It does not throw this message at your face but the point comes across as you read it. Sam the young boy is kind a helpful to the falcons, showing good behavior, and the comparison of industrialized world at the beginning to the natural environment later shows the importance of any animals natural habitat.
This book would be an excellent book for a unit or section of animal habitat and human interaction. I could see this book getting used around Earth Day as well. Maybe if a student saw an interesting bird outside at recess or in their backyard, this would do well at covering the topic of the situation. Also the illustrations are beautiful and interesting to look at with their various large and small strokes of rich color, so it would do well at drawing in the attention of students.
This book would be an excellent book for a unit or section of animal habitat and human interaction. I could see this book getting used around Earth Day as well. Maybe if a student saw an interesting bird outside at recess or in their backyard, this would do well at covering the topic of the situation. Also the illustrations are beautiful and interesting to look at with their various large and small strokes of rich color, so it would do well at drawing in the attention of students.
January 6, 2011
Frightful’s Daughter
By Jean C. George
Reviewed By Justin
Imagine if you were a newborn falcon left alone in your nest. Would you be scared or happy? What would you do? According to Jean Craighead George, the baby falcon is afraid, and too frightened to move.
The story begins with three falcons being born. One of the baby chicks, called Oksi, was different, from her brothers and sisters. She did what she wanted to do. Suddenly, a poacher steals two of the chicks. The mother falcon (Frightful) chases the poacher, leaving the remaining baby chick, Oksi, alone.
Oksi calls and calls, but Frightful doesn’t return. A boy named Sam hears Oksi and decides to take him back to his house to help feed her. Later that day Frightful comes back. In this amazing story Sam and Frightful help Oksi learn how to hunt and survive by giving her food until she can catch a prey.
My favorite part is when Frightful wasn’t there and Sam brings Oksi to his house in the woods. I like this part because this shows kindness and friendship. This also reminds me of the time when I hurt my knee and my friends brought me to the nurse’s office.
In some ways this book can be about showing kindness by helping others and your friends. In your life you will find friends that will support you and help you when you have problems. Life would be really different without a friend.
I think this book is interesting because a boy living in the wild feeds and helps a falcon.
I like stories that have people interacting with animals.
I recommend this book to people who are age 8 and above and also people who love to work with nature and animals. If you enjoyed this book you ought to consider reading My Side of the Mountain also by Jean Craighead George.
By Jean C. George
Reviewed By Justin
Imagine if you were a newborn falcon left alone in your nest. Would you be scared or happy? What would you do? According to Jean Craighead George, the baby falcon is afraid, and too frightened to move.
The story begins with three falcons being born. One of the baby chicks, called Oksi, was different, from her brothers and sisters. She did what she wanted to do. Suddenly, a poacher steals two of the chicks. The mother falcon (Frightful) chases the poacher, leaving the remaining baby chick, Oksi, alone.
Oksi calls and calls, but Frightful doesn’t return. A boy named Sam hears Oksi and decides to take him back to his house to help feed her. Later that day Frightful comes back. In this amazing story Sam and Frightful help Oksi learn how to hunt and survive by giving her food until she can catch a prey.
My favorite part is when Frightful wasn’t there and Sam brings Oksi to his house in the woods. I like this part because this shows kindness and friendship. This also reminds me of the time when I hurt my knee and my friends brought me to the nurse’s office.
In some ways this book can be about showing kindness by helping others and your friends. In your life you will find friends that will support you and help you when you have problems. Life would be really different without a friend.
I think this book is interesting because a boy living in the wild feeds and helps a falcon.
I like stories that have people interacting with animals.
I recommend this book to people who are age 8 and above and also people who love to work with nature and animals. If you enjoyed this book you ought to consider reading My Side of the Mountain also by Jean Craighead George.
July 14, 2023
I thought this was going to be a full novel, like the first three "My Side of the Mountain" books. I got it on audible and expected to listen to it on a road trip, when the book ended after just a short time. I had no idea it was going to be a short story. Not only that, but apparently it is a picture book! So now I need to get my hands on a physical copy of the book. I think that'll make much more sense to me. I'm knocking off a star for the sad surprise. But I'm sure I would love it, knowing what it is from the beginning.
June 9, 2017
This beautifully illustrated children's book partially re-tells the story of Oksi which was originally told from Frightful's perspective, but also continues on after Oksi's return from migrating. It was always an unlikely story, but it's a neat way to teach children about nature, conservation, and protection of wildlife. Geared for younger children, but the illustrations are beautiful and it has interesting information about Peregrine falcons.
July 21, 2015
"Frightful's Daughter" by author Jean Craighead George tells the fun tale about Frightful's daughter in this short story. Frightful is Sam's falcon from Jean's series "My Side of the Mountain". Frightful's daughter is named Oksi, and she likes to do things her way. A fun story with a good ending.
2015-Summer-Reading-Review
2015-Summer-Reading-Review
February 12, 2023
Nice book. The story is interesting and told pretty well. There are falcon facts scattered throughout the book and I definitely learned a thing or two by the end. I believe there are other books about Frightful that might have added depth to this story, if I had read them first. The illustrations are great too.
July 13, 2011
This is a short picture book with a story basically....a follow-up to the chapter books: "My Side of the Mountain," "The Far Side of the Mountain" and "Frightful's Mountain." A must read if you've read those. Cute....nothing spectacular.
September 6, 2012
This series continuation should have granted more than a picture-book.
December 17, 2014
Great Book. Got to read it if you like birds.
September 29, 2013
touching story with superb illustrations...
May 28, 2015
A good story about peregrine falcons. I enjoyed the story. It is sad to me that people will harvest birds and sell them on the black market. Birds of prey are my favorite. Nice book good pictures!
July 30, 2015
Jacob really likes the way Jean Craighead George writes.
December 16, 2020
We enjoyed it, but the original trilogy is better. This book is a retelling of the 3rd book, but the details weren't consistent with the third book.
May 8, 2023
very good. Great illustrations
June 30, 2025
What?!! That was it? Really???
Okay, first this book is only about a 20 minute audiobook…nothing like the rest of the chapter books in the series. Second, it was basically a short retelling of events in the previous book from Oakley’s perspective. In short—“Oakley always had to do things her own way.” This was reiterated over and over and over again over the few short and uneventful pages.
Okay, first this book is only about a 20 minute audiobook…nothing like the rest of the chapter books in the series. Second, it was basically a short retelling of events in the previous book from Oakley’s perspective. In short—“Oakley always had to do things her own way.” This was reiterated over and over and over again over the few short and uneventful pages.
January 10, 2019
I did not know this was a 32 page picture book when I started. I don’t know if telling kids that doing things their own way is a useful lesson though.
January 7, 2025
A beautiful picture book to introduce younger kids to the My Side of the Mountain series.
March 26, 2026
A continuation of the 'My Side of the Mountain' series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews