Double Challenge

by Jim Kjelgaard

THE JOLTWhen Ted Harkness reached the summit of Hawkbill, he hurried. He grinned a little smugly as he did so, for his had been a non-stop climb and most people who wanted to reach Hawkbill, the highest point in the Mahela and the only one that wasn't forested, had to rest at least twice. Some, starting out with firm determination to climb to the top, wavered en route and never did get there.The gorgeous, tricolored collie that had been pacing beside Ted ran a short ways, snuffled into some brush and disappeared. Presently he came wagging back, to fall in beside his master, and Ted let a hand rest on the dog's silken head. A little farther on, the collie pricked up its ears and Ted stopped in his tracks.Just ahead, a fallen tree lay at an angle down the slope. Either rooted in soft earth or shallowly rooted, it had toppled when its upper structure became too heavy for its root system to support, and it had fallen so recently that its leaves had not even started to shrivel. Sitting nervously on its trunk, suspecting danger was near but lacking the faintest idea as to where it was, were seven young bobtailed grouse.An imp of mischief danced in Ted's eyes. Ruffed grouse were one of the sportiest and one of the wisest of birds, but they weren't born wise and experienced. Like everything else, they had to learn and certainly these grouse weren't old enough to have learned much of anything. Ted said softly, "Get one, Tammie."Very slowly, knowing his game and stalking it as a cat would have stalked, Tammie slunk forward. Ted watched with great interest. Rarely could any dog catch a mature ruffed grouse unless it was injured, and it was questionable as to whether Tammie could take one of these comparative babies. But he might.Tammie neared the log, sprang, and six of the seven young grouse took fluttering wing. The seventh, clamped in Tammie's slender jaws, fluttered a moment and was still. Eyes proud, plumed tail waving, Tammie trotted back to Ted and placed the prize in his master's hand. Ted complimented him....

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

an American author of young adult literature.

Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.

Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -

Reviews

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It's a story about a boy living near a small backwoods town somewhere in America. It had a decent story that combined a love of the outdoors with a love and respect for hunting as well as respect for the wildlife around them. It doesn't go to the extreme of "never harm those poor animals!" but it also doesn't condone reckless and irresponsible management. Responsibly managing the resources we have been given is not the main theme of the book, but it is strongly interwoven into it.

It shows some examples of reckless and irresponsible hunters (and poachers) as well as examples of those who are real sportsmen who respect the area and leave it in as good shape as they found it.

The story is basically about a boy who wants to start a hunter's resort. His father is a trapper and people like to come to the area to hunt. His father and he buy some land and build a cabin. His father is (falsely) accused of trying to kill a man and goes into hiding. The boy corresponds with and lodges some hunters, including one elderly gentleman who wants to get one of the most wily and biggest bucks in the area. In the meantime, he clears his father of the crime and finds out what has been really going on. Fun story.

[Michael McCue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Kjelgaard wrote young adult fiction, mostly directed for boys, until his death in 1960. As a boy he was one of my favorite authors. He wrote about nature and outdoor activities and captivated boys like me. Double Challenge was new to me though it was published in 1957, the year I was eight. It follows that same pattern of most of Kjelbaard's books, a young man with a dog overcome obstacles in the woods. In this one it reads as a mystery where Ted, the main character, tries to find who committed the attempted murder his father has been accused of. I am not a boy anymore but I still love Kjelgaard's books.

[Michael Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing brings me back to the familiarity of my teenage years more than when I re-read a Jim Kjelgaard book. The author who knows the outdoors like the back of his hand, but also knows about the relationship that humans have with their dogs. And can write about them better than anyone.

All of his books were written in the 1950's and before and I love how he didn't dumb down his writing even though it was going to be read by middle school and high school kids. I remember having a dictionary by my side to look up the words I wasn't familiar with.

If you love dogs and the outdoors and you haven't read one of his books, you need to pick up one soon and rectify that situation in your life!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great plot line.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, believable story. Definitely need to find myself a copy.