The Journey of Natty Gann

by Ann Matthews

Separated from her father by the harsh conditions of the Great Depression, Natty makes a daring cross-country journey in the company of a wolf.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Animals, Short Stories

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I were in Mogo last summer on vacation and I spotted this wonderful little memory at a sidewalk booth near the beach. Most adults will remember the fabulous little Disney film — from a time when Disney made some wholesome young adult fare — this book is based on. It is difficult to believe, however, that it was over thirty years ago!

Tackling it once we got back home, I found it to be a sentimental little gem perfect for a broad range of children. It’s fast flowing, and like the film, quietly wonderful. Usually these adaptations based on screenplays aren’t anything special, but this one from Ann Matthews sticks to the story and is fairly well-written. Aimed most likely at Grades 4-8 it has just enough atmosphere and depth for that age range, while being an easy enough read for the lower end of the age range.

Natty’s journey to find her father during the Great Depression after a mix-up is filled with just enough realistic touches to keep it interesting. The wolf who befriends young Natty might be the most unrealistic of the touches, but it makes for a heartwarming adventure, just as it does in the film, and also teaches children about letting go. If you can track one of these down, your child in the aforementioned age range might thank you.

[Brooklyne E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book!

This might be the only book that I have found the movie to be just as good as reading the book! Watching the movie was almost exactly how I imagined the book!

I love Natty's wolf/dog, obviously! I always like it when the characters have animal best friends! *winks*

Most of the book was following Natty in her search for her father. That is another thing that I'm drawn to in books... I admired that Natty was brave and she was a tomboy. :) I also like the whole hobo aspect of the story.

I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a short, sweet, and exciting adventure!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at a thrift store because I LOVED the movie as a child. Its just a short novelization of the film, and should probably only be given 2 stars at most, but I gave it an extra star for pure nostalgia. 😊

[Aldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this movie wildly as a kid and it's still entirely enjoyable now (interesting setting! scrappy, charming tomboy has gritty adventures, kicks douchebag asses everywhere! Baby John Cusack! Jed the wolfdog! What's not to love?), so when I discovered there was a book, I read it as a lark. It's about what you can expect from a novelisation of an 80s Disney movie, lol. It's teensy-tinsy (140 pages in large font) and more or less a really basic scene-by-scene retelling of the movie. I was amused to find out Natty was supposed to be 13 and Harry 16ish - definitely not how it looked in the movie (Meredith Salenger was 15 and John Cusack 21; presumably that wouldn't fly as a viable ship/casting choice these days).

[Heroine Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely tale set during the Great Depression. Natty has a very long cross country trek to find her father and encounters danger, joy, makes friends and finds she is strong and resourceful. Some of the book is unsurprising and feels too modern for the setting, yet I enjoyed it and give it a good rating.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still reading the book of . I have been attracted by this book. I really like this type of book. Not only because it will teach me a lot of things but also it help me to figure out the truth of life. (Page: 1-78)

Question No.2:

Natty in this story reminds me a movie named . Aaron in that movie has something similar with Natty. Both of them helped wolves and became friend with wolves. They support each other and trust each other. Also, Aaron and Natty are children but they are learning to grow up.

Of course they have something different. Aaron’s parents were dead but Aaron at least has his uncle and aunt to protect him. Natty’s mother dead, she only has her father. When her father left, she would have nothing. Also, Aaron is little weak and not good at communication with others. Natty is a girl but she is more courageous. She was wandering alone in order to find her father. She is independent and staunch.

Question No.12:

I am very confused of her father's departure. As far as I am concerned, her father can not left until he found Natty. I am clear that Natty’s father can’t lose his job in the Great Depression. However, his wife was dead, he only has Natty. He can’t lose Natty. Compared to work, his daughter is more important. Maybe her father will lose Natty forever because his work! Although they only have tow dollars and fifty cents, he has opportunity to find a job and can not have a daughter again.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fast-faced novel! If you have a hesitate reader who likes adventure, this is the book for them. Poor Natty, if it wasn't for her determination, this girl would be living on the streets in 1935 instead, she is hopping trains, meeting hobos, and traveling halfway across the country trying to hook back up with her father who left her in search of a job. While on her mission, Natty teams up with a wolf and with this new companion, a young girl traveling alone has some hope and some protection. The troubles that she encounters and the way she pushes forward is amazing considering her age and the era that she is living in. Being only 121 pages long, this small paperback YA book was not very descriptive in nature and could have been better for me had it indulged in adding more details, thus adding more adventure and excitement. Good book for someone who likes adventure but doesn't like to read much (not too wordy).

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story to read as a young girl. It shows the courage and independence of a girl searching for her father. In a way, we are all searching for something....I will be reading this to my daughter someday soon....

[Marisela · Rating 3 out of 5]

More pre-adolescent reading. I read this book around the time the movie came out. What a great adventure story for young girls and Natty is a headstrong, brave girl.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have a special connection to this movie, since it came out before I was born. I had actually never even heard of it until it was mentioned on one of my favorite YouTube channels, Pop Culture Detective (1980s Movies That Shaped Our Humanity). I did end up largely enjoying the movie (minus the scene with an adult kissing a child - I don't care if Harry is supposed to be 16 or 17 according to the book, John Cusack is very much an adult here lol) However, the movie's story seems strangely rushed, to the point where I became convinced that there must be a Natty Gann novel out there that Disney turned into a movie as they did with others like Swiss Family Robinson and The Incredible Journey. Nope, this book is just your classic novelization. Extremely spare, lacking details. Way more telling than showing. It almost seems strange to review this as a book; it's the script slightly altered to make it a bit more book-like. It's a good movie, and maybe an ok book for a very early reader or a child resistant to reading. No hate to Ann Matthews, I'm sure she was just doing her job.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one day when I was home sick from school in the 7th grade. Oddly enough, I remember being really bummed that I was missing school. Not only was it my birthday, it was the day that my group in music class was going to be filmed lip syncing a video to "Walk Like an Egyptian" that I choreographed. The book helped to keep my mind off the fact that I was missing this golden opportunity to be on stage.

Ah, well...it was a good escape and I was pretty proud of the fact that I read the book in one day. I don't think I've done that since....

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first english book I got as a present at christmas from my grandma. It was the book that taught me that I could read English on my own if I just put my mind to it. Also the fact that my grandma, who knew I was a fervent reader, took the risc of giving me an english book, meant that she really wanted to give me something I would really like: a book. It showed me that she knew me better than I thought.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited, I just rediscovered this book after having it unidentified for years. All I could remember was that the girl's name started with an N (Nelly? Netty? So close!) and that her father was injured, and there was a train and some wolves. No wonder I could picture some of the scenes so vividly, it is because I have also seen the movie.

[ruelas l. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book one of the very fiew i like
i saw the movie it was really good but i liked the book better it was so much more discriptive when i saw the movie the people mached the discription of the people in the book i thought it was simpally amazing!!!!!!!! i so recamend it to ANY ONE

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this movie as a young girl and i recently stumbled across the book and read it for the memories. It only takes a couple hours to read, it is a young adult fiction, but it sure brought me back to the joy i felt watching it in the theater.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick and easy read. I've never read a book that was adapted so perfectly to a movie. I actually had a hard time seeing anything in my head other than the movie while reading because they were so word for word the same.

[Jennifer Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a kid. I wished I still had a copy to share with my daughter and told her so! She got me a copy for Christmas. So very thoughtful. It was a great story which made me want to be just like her. Strength and courage and determination are what made Natty Gann so admirable.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one is for you Tommy!

[Kymberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorites of all time!

[Aleesha Back · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was a teenager, before the movie came out. I loved it, still do.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book 500 times and seen the movie and have the movie. I know it by heart too!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I've read it over a thousand times since I was 11.

[Heidi Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

**One of the books that has made a personal impact on me at one point (childhood, adolescence, adulthood) in my life.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heart touching story as a young woman takes an incredible journey, searching for answers and growing up in a different time in history..

[Jennifer Kurburski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really good. Like other people should totally read it.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[JEAN SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE the Disney movie too, starry Wolf Hybrid "Jesse"!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B-. fiction, YA, historical fiction, Depression era, cross-country, wolf

[Jude Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thi is the best ever it so good to read I really reccomend this book

[Colombe Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a sweet little book.