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The Trap
Seventeen-year-old Johnny Least-Weasel knows that his grandfather Albert is a stubborn old man and won't stop checking his own traplines even though other men his age stopped doing so years ago. But Albert Least-Weasel has been running traplines in the Alaskan wilderness alone for the past sixty years. Nothing has ever gone wrong on the trail he knows so well. When Albert doesn't come back from checking his traps, with the temperature steadily plummeting, Johnny must decide quickly whether to trust his grandfather or his own instincts. Written in alternating chapters that relate the parallel stories of Johnny and his grandfather, this novel poignantly addresses the hardships of life in the far north, suggesting that the most dangerous traps need not be made of steel.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2006
24 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
John E. Smelcer
32 books33 followersJohn E. Smelcer is the poetry editor of Rosebud magazine and the author of more than forty books. He is an Alaskan Native of the Ahtna tribe, and is now the last tribal member who reads and writes in Ahtna.
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
April 8, 2009
"The Trap" is about seventeen year old Johnny Least-Weasel and his pursuit to save his grandfather from "the trap" itself. It switches narrative from Johnny to Albert (his grandfther) and tells a story of fast-paced action and the survival skills neccesary to survive in below freezing temperatures.
I would NOT reccomend this book to younger children, although the length of the book might make it seem that it is meant for that age group. Some parts of the book were pretty gruesome, escpecially towards the end. I have to give "The Trap" credit though, usually I find it difficult to enjoy books relating to Native American culture, but it was easy and almost addictive to finish this book as fast as I could. The author clearly knows the subject, Indians, very well because he describes the culture and ideas flawlessly. Out of the two perspectives that were given to the reader I enjoyed Albert's slightly more than Johnnys. Albert's point of view was always lively, full of action, kept me flipping the pages, while Johnny's, escpecially at the beggining, lost my attention a few times. However, I do give this book a well deserved 4/5 stars.
I would NOT reccomend this book to younger children, although the length of the book might make it seem that it is meant for that age group. Some parts of the book were pretty gruesome, escpecially towards the end. I have to give "The Trap" credit though, usually I find it difficult to enjoy books relating to Native American culture, but it was easy and almost addictive to finish this book as fast as I could. The author clearly knows the subject, Indians, very well because he describes the culture and ideas flawlessly. Out of the two perspectives that were given to the reader I enjoyed Albert's slightly more than Johnnys. Albert's point of view was always lively, full of action, kept me flipping the pages, while Johnny's, escpecially at the beggining, lost my attention a few times. However, I do give this book a well deserved 4/5 stars.
January 28, 2015
I was looking for a quick read in between other books. Normally I would not have picked up this book. But I'm glad that I did. Grab yourself a blanket because just the words can make you feel cold! It was a really good book with very interesting facts about a life I would never normally question.
January 19, 2016
This book takes place in two perspectives, one is the 17-year-old Johnny Least-Weasel; the other, his grandfather, Albert. Johnny knows that his grandfather, Albert, is stubborn and will go check his traps until he dies. One day Albert is checking his traps, nothing out of the ordinary is happening. Then... Snap he look down and saw that his foot is caught in a bear trap. At first he's laughing, then he realizes that he can't get out of it, and he is just barely out of reach of all his stuff he needs to survive. At least, he is wearing enough clothes that the trap isn't hurting him. He makes a bed out of branches and will try to stay alive for his grandson and wife. Johnny, on the other hand, is helping out his grandmother doing chores around the house. He knows that his grandfather will be back any day. The next day Johnny saw that it was -40º he decides to go looking for his grandfather. Will he make it to him before the wolves do?
March 19, 2011
Wasn't terribly impressed by this one. The characters, with the exception of the grandpa, were a little flat. The author's writing was also odd at times, referring to the main character, Johnny, as "the young indian" when "Johnny" would have sufficed. Obviously, race plays a part in this book, but I have yet to see a white author say, "the young white boy" in reference to his characters. I won't select this for my teen book club. It was a mediocre read with a few interesting parts. Going to try Bruchac's Code Talker instead.
January 15, 2019
Name: Jacob Doede
Book title: The Trap
Personal Response
The Trap was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It's written through the eyes of a boy, Johnny Least Weasel, and his grandfather, Albert Least Weasel. When I read it, I didn’t want to put it down.
Plot Summary
Albert Least Weasel goes out one day to check his trapline to see if he caught anything. He is at one of the trees setting up moose meat he shot earlier in the day. He got it all strung up and needed to get something from his snowmobile. He steps back into a bear trap. He doesn’t worry at first but the true test is yet to come. Johnny Least Weasel just goes on with his days because he knows it will be some time before his grandfather gets back. A couple days go by and Johnny really starts to worry about his grandfather. He tells his uncle that his grandfather should not be gone this long. Johnny's uncle tells him not to worry that he has been doing this for a long time and knows what he is doing. Albert has to find a way to make fire to keep himself warm. He breaks all the limbs off the tree he is trapped too. He doesn’t make a huge fire just a little one to keep him warm. That night wolves come down from the hills and find the meat and Albert under the tree. He gives the wolves the meat then scares them away. A cold front is coming in and he knows he has to get out of the trap soon or he will die chained to the tree. Johnny disobeys his uncle and goes out to look for his grandfather. He knows the trapline and which ways to follow but he comes to a fork and has to choose left or right. He chooses the left way which is a very bad mistake because Albert is on the right trail. It takes Johnny four hours to get to the end of the trail and back to the fork. Albert is experiencing hypothermia in his toes and finger. He knows he just has to stay alive for a few more hours because he heard Johnny's snowmobile turn left in the fork. Once Johnny got to the end of the trail he realized he made a terrible decision of going left. He turns around immediately and starts heading back to the other trail. He gets to the other trail just as darkness falls. Albert is just two miles up the trail. He sees the wolves coming down the hill back towards him and here's Johnny's snowmobile heading towards him. He knows he has to get up and fight the wolves. He takes a stick and starts hitting them with it. Johnny gets there and scares the wolves off with his gun. Albert is badly hurt and needs to get medical attention right away, but the two sit under the tree for a while calming themselves. Albert starts to sing softly then stops. Johnny looks over and his grandfather is dead. He brings him back to the village to have a proper burial.
Characterization
Johnny: Johnny stays to himself a lot. He doesn’t like being in big groups where it’s loud and obnoxious. He helps people out whenever he has time.
Albert: Albert knows a lot of things because he has been around a long time. He likes to be by himself or with his wife. He handles situations very calm and organized.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to outdoorsy type of people. If you like a little bit of a challenge when you are reading this is a perfect book for you. I would recommend The Trap for ages 15 and up because it is a harder read but a very good one.
Book title: The Trap
Personal Response
The Trap was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It's written through the eyes of a boy, Johnny Least Weasel, and his grandfather, Albert Least Weasel. When I read it, I didn’t want to put it down.
Plot Summary
Albert Least Weasel goes out one day to check his trapline to see if he caught anything. He is at one of the trees setting up moose meat he shot earlier in the day. He got it all strung up and needed to get something from his snowmobile. He steps back into a bear trap. He doesn’t worry at first but the true test is yet to come. Johnny Least Weasel just goes on with his days because he knows it will be some time before his grandfather gets back. A couple days go by and Johnny really starts to worry about his grandfather. He tells his uncle that his grandfather should not be gone this long. Johnny's uncle tells him not to worry that he has been doing this for a long time and knows what he is doing. Albert has to find a way to make fire to keep himself warm. He breaks all the limbs off the tree he is trapped too. He doesn’t make a huge fire just a little one to keep him warm. That night wolves come down from the hills and find the meat and Albert under the tree. He gives the wolves the meat then scares them away. A cold front is coming in and he knows he has to get out of the trap soon or he will die chained to the tree. Johnny disobeys his uncle and goes out to look for his grandfather. He knows the trapline and which ways to follow but he comes to a fork and has to choose left or right. He chooses the left way which is a very bad mistake because Albert is on the right trail. It takes Johnny four hours to get to the end of the trail and back to the fork. Albert is experiencing hypothermia in his toes and finger. He knows he just has to stay alive for a few more hours because he heard Johnny's snowmobile turn left in the fork. Once Johnny got to the end of the trail he realized he made a terrible decision of going left. He turns around immediately and starts heading back to the other trail. He gets to the other trail just as darkness falls. Albert is just two miles up the trail. He sees the wolves coming down the hill back towards him and here's Johnny's snowmobile heading towards him. He knows he has to get up and fight the wolves. He takes a stick and starts hitting them with it. Johnny gets there and scares the wolves off with his gun. Albert is badly hurt and needs to get medical attention right away, but the two sit under the tree for a while calming themselves. Albert starts to sing softly then stops. Johnny looks over and his grandfather is dead. He brings him back to the village to have a proper burial.
Characterization
Johnny: Johnny stays to himself a lot. He doesn’t like being in big groups where it’s loud and obnoxious. He helps people out whenever he has time.
Albert: Albert knows a lot of things because he has been around a long time. He likes to be by himself or with his wife. He handles situations very calm and organized.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to outdoorsy type of people. If you like a little bit of a challenge when you are reading this is a perfect book for you. I would recommend The Trap for ages 15 and up because it is a harder read but a very good one.
April 15, 2024
This book would have received a 5 star rating if the grandson's perspective was a little more interesting. The grandfather's story was very engaging, and the ending was anger-inducing (in a good way).
Read
April 10, 2019very good book
February 28, 2016
Have you ever read a book that got you so interesting and made you want to keep reading especially if you like the outdoors?This book might be one. "The Trap" shows you different kinds of snow and different survival skills for the wilderness. This book was really good. The point of view is first person, but switches characters for example Johnny tells a part of the story then his Grandfather continues telling what happened. I would say the conflict is person vs. nature because of Johnny's grandfather having to fight the cold winter while its -40 degrees out and decreasing. The setting takes place in the woods in Alaska.
In "The Trap" a young boy and his grandfather always go out to check the traps they have, and usually have no problem with them. Even though men stopped checking the traps a long time ago he is still stubborn to go and check. As soon as grandfather goes to check, his foot gets trapped. He laughed about it thinking it wasn't at all serious but then he noticed he wasn't able to get out of it. However, he knew he had to find help out there because of the freezing weather. On the other hand, his grandson is out worried for him because he knows there's wolves out there, so he goes out to try to find him, but would it be too late? This book is mostly for people who like the outdoors and the cold but also the ones who have no idea about the different kinds of snow and how you can possibly die in the coldness. The title and setting would relate to the story because "The Trap" is basically a hint of what happened in the story. And the setting is where Johnny's grandpa got trapped. I would rate this I would rate this a 4 out of 5 because I think it would've been better to add more to the story and some parts do get kind of boring. Out of the two point of views I would prefer Albert's (the grandfathers) side better because he shows much more detail and action while on the other hand Johnny doesn't really catch your attention.Although the author does point out humanity of his characters while he reveals the strengths of their ancestors, because basically the book is relating to the past. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy out doors. Although some parts do get horrid.
In "The Trap" a young boy and his grandfather always go out to check the traps they have, and usually have no problem with them. Even though men stopped checking the traps a long time ago he is still stubborn to go and check. As soon as grandfather goes to check, his foot gets trapped. He laughed about it thinking it wasn't at all serious but then he noticed he wasn't able to get out of it. However, he knew he had to find help out there because of the freezing weather. On the other hand, his grandson is out worried for him because he knows there's wolves out there, so he goes out to try to find him, but would it be too late? This book is mostly for people who like the outdoors and the cold but also the ones who have no idea about the different kinds of snow and how you can possibly die in the coldness. The title and setting would relate to the story because "The Trap" is basically a hint of what happened in the story. And the setting is where Johnny's grandpa got trapped. I would rate this I would rate this a 4 out of 5 because I think it would've been better to add more to the story and some parts do get kind of boring. Out of the two point of views I would prefer Albert's (the grandfathers) side better because he shows much more detail and action while on the other hand Johnny doesn't really catch your attention.Although the author does point out humanity of his characters while he reveals the strengths of their ancestors, because basically the book is relating to the past. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy out doors. Although some parts do get horrid.
December 28, 2009
A very powerful book that makes you think about life. The imagery was so powerful I had to mark sections to re-read. I went to the authors website and found out more about him. I'll bet my brother-in-law knows him or of him. Our paths may have crossed since he went to UAF. He has done so much with his life and has really lived his life. He has also helped many people preserve their culture. I also found that he writes from personal experience of his own or of his relatives
In brief: A grandfather is caught in one of his own traps on his trap line. He is wise and their is no way out without outside help. He must try to survive as the temperatures plummet.
His grandson, whom he is close to, takes many days to go looking for him. In part from relatives from his village saying he's ok, his own doubt about his being late while it it growing colder, and elders saying go look for him.
Many other tales are woven into this fine story that help you to understand the village way of life and modern culture encroaching upon traditional life. It tells of love, respect, and a close community that is getting close to extinction.
In one of the stories of moose hunting the author put into words how I feel about rivers. "From year to year, the great river was never the same.. It's as if such rivers age, grow new lines and wrinkles, sloughs that dead-end, ......into the water to be piled up in dangerouos log jams downriver."(pg.85)
The northern lights: "the northern lights were shimmering and dancing, pulsing across the sky in long shifting ribbbons. The shimmmering waves of green and red light were beautiful. Words were useless. The borealis must be experienced firsthand to be understood by the heart." (pg. 94)
Death: "The irritated squirrel had already met its end. So, too, had the moose he had killed up the trail. The end came to everything that lived. .....And it would come to Albert Least-Weasel too." (pg. 156)
A beautifully written and inspiring book.
In brief: A grandfather is caught in one of his own traps on his trap line. He is wise and their is no way out without outside help. He must try to survive as the temperatures plummet.
His grandson, whom he is close to, takes many days to go looking for him. In part from relatives from his village saying he's ok, his own doubt about his being late while it it growing colder, and elders saying go look for him.
Many other tales are woven into this fine story that help you to understand the village way of life and modern culture encroaching upon traditional life. It tells of love, respect, and a close community that is getting close to extinction.
In one of the stories of moose hunting the author put into words how I feel about rivers. "From year to year, the great river was never the same.. It's as if such rivers age, grow new lines and wrinkles, sloughs that dead-end, ......into the water to be piled up in dangerouos log jams downriver."(pg.85)
The northern lights: "the northern lights were shimmering and dancing, pulsing across the sky in long shifting ribbbons. The shimmmering waves of green and red light were beautiful. Words were useless. The borealis must be experienced firsthand to be understood by the heart." (pg. 94)
Death: "The irritated squirrel had already met its end. So, too, had the moose he had killed up the trail. The end came to everything that lived. .....And it would come to Albert Least-Weasel too." (pg. 156)
A beautifully written and inspiring book.
October 27, 2016
I really liked the book "The Trap". I could relate to this book book very well because his dog died and I lost two recently. The book is a good and quick read. When i would start to read it i did not want to put it down.
In the book a boy named Albert Least Weasel who lives in an Indian village is struggling with a choice he has to make. The choice is that he can either go find and help his grandfather who has been in the the harsh Alaskan winter or he can just for him to return. Albert who is only 16 years old has to make this hard decision fast before time runs out. He makes the decision to go out and find his grandfather. Albert gears up his snowmobile and takes off in search of his grandfather. He comes to a fork in the trail he is on and takes the left thinking it is the right trail but it is not. In the meantime of all of this happening the book is telling you about what his grandfather is feeling and going through. His grandfather was setting bear traps when he accidentally stepped back into one. He is then stuck in the woods with a trap around his ankle and cannot move. He has no way of getting out and cannot get any food or water on his sled. At the end of the book the grandfather is getting attacked by wolves when his grandson comes to save him she shoots his gun to scare them away. He saves his grandfather but he is to cold and beaten up to survive so he dies.
Albert Least Weasel is a strong indian boy who is 16 years old and works at the local store for his job. He is making this really hard decision so he asks his grandma for some help.
The grandfather is one of the strongest person that the boy knows and is also one of the best trappers he has ever seen.
I would recommend this book to middle to his school boys because it is more like about the wilderness and may get kind of hard to read at times for girls. 5 out of 5 star rating.
In the book a boy named Albert Least Weasel who lives in an Indian village is struggling with a choice he has to make. The choice is that he can either go find and help his grandfather who has been in the the harsh Alaskan winter or he can just for him to return. Albert who is only 16 years old has to make this hard decision fast before time runs out. He makes the decision to go out and find his grandfather. Albert gears up his snowmobile and takes off in search of his grandfather. He comes to a fork in the trail he is on and takes the left thinking it is the right trail but it is not. In the meantime of all of this happening the book is telling you about what his grandfather is feeling and going through. His grandfather was setting bear traps when he accidentally stepped back into one. He is then stuck in the woods with a trap around his ankle and cannot move. He has no way of getting out and cannot get any food or water on his sled. At the end of the book the grandfather is getting attacked by wolves when his grandson comes to save him she shoots his gun to scare them away. He saves his grandfather but he is to cold and beaten up to survive so he dies.
Albert Least Weasel is a strong indian boy who is 16 years old and works at the local store for his job. He is making this really hard decision so he asks his grandma for some help.
The grandfather is one of the strongest person that the boy knows and is also one of the best trappers he has ever seen.
I would recommend this book to middle to his school boys because it is more like about the wilderness and may get kind of hard to read at times for girls. 5 out of 5 star rating.
December 16, 2011
A quick 3 hour read. I hate unhappy endings.....I know, I am a sucker....but I want to know that everything ends happily ever after. Still, you need to read this. I am sure Smelcer did not do his research....we do not call snowmobiles snowmobiles...every time he referenced this I cringed (which is a lot)...sorry...I can't give it more than a 2.5 at most. Nevermind that I hate unhappy endings. Dang it! I did picture my friends in the village of Hughes...a river that is a lifeline, remote from everything, united as a group, the elders I met and loved immediately. I guess I am supposed to take away that this is the way of the land...the way it is supposed to be,. Whether I like it or not.
Johnny works so hard to get his grandfather back. But grandfather doesn't really want to exist. I hate books with a depressing ending....but forces the reader to read the next book...CHEAP TRICK!
Johnny works so hard to get his grandfather back. But grandfather doesn't really want to exist. I hate books with a depressing ending....but forces the reader to read the next book...CHEAP TRICK!
August 13, 2009
Spare, lyrical writing (a discussion group described it as "man pretty"). An old Indian man is trapped in his own bear trap in winter in a harsh northern land, and his 19-year-old grandson eventually searches for him. I liked it, and some teens might enjoy it, but I don't think it's truly a teen novel (whatever that is). Chalk another one up to publishers trying to cash in on the only growing segment of the industry.
December 7, 2010
Short, wonderfully haunting and descriptive book that really conveys the stark and barren subject matter of the Alaskan north well. While the book itself is short, it's not light reading in the least (IMO), but is a fantastically written book that will really stick with you. I'm glad I picked this up.
March 3, 2008
Don't read this book if you are cold already. This is definitely NOT light reading. Think The Old Man and the Sea.
November 23, 2011
This book was a good book because you didn't know what was going to happen.And it didn't leave you hanging .
Read
April 1, 2020Personal Response
The Trap is a very good book. I enjoy reading this book and hope others will also find this book thrilling. The plot is very bland, staying in the cold lands of Alaska throughout the entire book. The author keeps the same setting throughout the entire book. I love the culture the book gives off and it taught me a lot about Indian culture that I never knew.
Plot
The plot of The Trap is very exciting yet boring at the same time. It focuses all around this community of Indians. They live out in the Alaskan tundra far from anywhere. Johnny Least Weasel Sr. is the main character of the book and finds himself in a very serious situation when he gets his foot stuck in his game trap. His grandson’s name is also Johnny. After Johnny Sr. goes missing. Johnny Jr. sets out on his adventure to find his beloved grandfather. It is a race against time against the cold, animals, and starvation with Johnny Sr. Johnny has to endure his friends backing down and his peers giving no hope for his grandfather to be alive. Johnny goes off alone in the end to find his grandfather. He goes through a long journey through the tundra to save Johnny Sr.
Characterization
Johnny
Johnny Jr. is a mid-age teenage Indian. He and his grandparents live in an old Indian village that spreads out in the middle of Alaska near the tundra. Johnny Jr. lives in his cabin, always visiting his grandparents to help them out and just to have company. Johnny Jr. is raised by his grandparents as his parents are not around much when we were younger. He is a very talented hunter and tracker. Johnny Sr. takes him out on his trapline to hunt. He is not like the rest of the Indian villagers. He does not drink and is very determined to leave the village to find a better life outside trapping.
Johnny Sr.
Johnny Sr. is a grandfather to Johnny Jr. He is in his mid 80’s but is still very active and hunts his milelong trapline every week. He and his wife live together in a cabin close to Johnny. He is a very quiet guy and does not drink. Johnny Sr. is the main hunter in the village but his old age is slowly starting to keep him from doing it in the future. He is one of the last chief elders who knows how to speak the old Indian tongue. He is one of the most respected people in the village.
Setting
The Trap is set in the frozen lands of Alaska in the tundra. There is a main Indian village that is far away from anything that all the characters live in. The time is around the late 1990s. It stays within the village for the first part of the book then takes off with Johnny into the Alaskan tundra as he goes and looks for his grandfather. Overall the setting is all squished in this little village in Alaska.
Thematic Connection
The main theme that I got out of this book is that trusting your instincts and believing in your capabilities and skills can determine your survival. As shown John’s grandfather uses multiple tactics to survive while being pinned down in his trap. Using branches make a fire and fighting off wolves with a hand made spear. Johnny Sr used his survival knowledge and instincts to trust that someone will eventually come and find him. That is how he survived so long out in the cold. Also using the love for his wife drove him to keep going and not to give up hope.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to mostly everyone. It is a very exciting yet sad book, but it builds the entire time so it will leave you in suspense every time you close it. There are a lot of lessons in the book as well about culture, relationships, and the dangers of the wilderness that I believe would be a good asset to people’s mindsets.
The Trap is a very good book. I enjoy reading this book and hope others will also find this book thrilling. The plot is very bland, staying in the cold lands of Alaska throughout the entire book. The author keeps the same setting throughout the entire book. I love the culture the book gives off and it taught me a lot about Indian culture that I never knew.
Plot
The plot of The Trap is very exciting yet boring at the same time. It focuses all around this community of Indians. They live out in the Alaskan tundra far from anywhere. Johnny Least Weasel Sr. is the main character of the book and finds himself in a very serious situation when he gets his foot stuck in his game trap. His grandson’s name is also Johnny. After Johnny Sr. goes missing. Johnny Jr. sets out on his adventure to find his beloved grandfather. It is a race against time against the cold, animals, and starvation with Johnny Sr. Johnny has to endure his friends backing down and his peers giving no hope for his grandfather to be alive. Johnny goes off alone in the end to find his grandfather. He goes through a long journey through the tundra to save Johnny Sr.
Characterization
Johnny
Johnny Jr. is a mid-age teenage Indian. He and his grandparents live in an old Indian village that spreads out in the middle of Alaska near the tundra. Johnny Jr. lives in his cabin, always visiting his grandparents to help them out and just to have company. Johnny Jr. is raised by his grandparents as his parents are not around much when we were younger. He is a very talented hunter and tracker. Johnny Sr. takes him out on his trapline to hunt. He is not like the rest of the Indian villagers. He does not drink and is very determined to leave the village to find a better life outside trapping.
Johnny Sr.
Johnny Sr. is a grandfather to Johnny Jr. He is in his mid 80’s but is still very active and hunts his milelong trapline every week. He and his wife live together in a cabin close to Johnny. He is a very quiet guy and does not drink. Johnny Sr. is the main hunter in the village but his old age is slowly starting to keep him from doing it in the future. He is one of the last chief elders who knows how to speak the old Indian tongue. He is one of the most respected people in the village.
Setting
The Trap is set in the frozen lands of Alaska in the tundra. There is a main Indian village that is far away from anything that all the characters live in. The time is around the late 1990s. It stays within the village for the first part of the book then takes off with Johnny into the Alaskan tundra as he goes and looks for his grandfather. Overall the setting is all squished in this little village in Alaska.
Thematic Connection
The main theme that I got out of this book is that trusting your instincts and believing in your capabilities and skills can determine your survival. As shown John’s grandfather uses multiple tactics to survive while being pinned down in his trap. Using branches make a fire and fighting off wolves with a hand made spear. Johnny Sr used his survival knowledge and instincts to trust that someone will eventually come and find him. That is how he survived so long out in the cold. Also using the love for his wife drove him to keep going and not to give up hope.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to mostly everyone. It is a very exciting yet sad book, but it builds the entire time so it will leave you in suspense every time you close it. There are a lot of lessons in the book as well about culture, relationships, and the dangers of the wilderness that I believe would be a good asset to people’s mindsets.
December 1, 2017
The Trap
Brad Featherston
12/03/17
English 12-1
Author’s Background- The author of The Trap is John Smelcer. Smelcer was the son of an Alaskan Native from the Ahtna tribe. All his life his father taught him the ways of the indians. His father especially taught him how to hunt and fish and how to live off the land.
Literary Time Period- The Trap in written in current times.
Setting- The Trap takes place in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.
Characters- Albert Least-Weasel is an elderly man and very stubborn. He still checks his traps even though many of the men his age stopped running trap lines years ago. Johnny Least-Weasel is a 17 year old indian boy. He worries about his grandfather running his trap lines. One night when he doesn't return home, Johnny has a big decision to make.
Theme- The theme of The Trap is Man vs. Nature. In the book Albert is battling the weather and animals to try to survive.
Plot Summary- Johnny Least-Weasel worries about his grandfather Albert Least-Weasel checking his trap lines because most men his age don’t any more. One day Albert runs his trap lines but never comes home that night. When Albert was checking his traps, he accidentally shut in a bear trap that closed on his leg. He tried to pry it open, but he couldn’t muster enough strength to get his leg out. The weather started to get worse and worse, and the temperature kept dropping. He tried to chisel the stake out of the tree that was holding the trap in place, but he broke his pocket knife trying. The tree was too hard and cold. Later, he built a fire and some wolves came. He gathered all the wood that he could reach. While Albert is missing, Johnny is debating if he should go look for him or trust that he can take care of himself. Johnny decided to go look for him a few days later and found him dead.
Literary Devices- This book shows symbolism by using the trap as a symbol. Things that get caught in the trap will surely die. Those that eat what is caught in the trap will live.
Memorable Quotes- “There was a soft click as the teeth of steel closed on his leg.” The significance of this quote is how he traps all of his animals, and they don’t get away from him. So it was a parallel for him not getting away. “The ever-hungry wolves came back down from the hills again.” This quote is significant because this time, he is actually the prey.
Brad Featherston
12/03/17
English 12-1
Author’s Background- The author of The Trap is John Smelcer. Smelcer was the son of an Alaskan Native from the Ahtna tribe. All his life his father taught him the ways of the indians. His father especially taught him how to hunt and fish and how to live off the land.
Literary Time Period- The Trap in written in current times.
Setting- The Trap takes place in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.
Characters- Albert Least-Weasel is an elderly man and very stubborn. He still checks his traps even though many of the men his age stopped running trap lines years ago. Johnny Least-Weasel is a 17 year old indian boy. He worries about his grandfather running his trap lines. One night when he doesn't return home, Johnny has a big decision to make.
Theme- The theme of The Trap is Man vs. Nature. In the book Albert is battling the weather and animals to try to survive.
Plot Summary- Johnny Least-Weasel worries about his grandfather Albert Least-Weasel checking his trap lines because most men his age don’t any more. One day Albert runs his trap lines but never comes home that night. When Albert was checking his traps, he accidentally shut in a bear trap that closed on his leg. He tried to pry it open, but he couldn’t muster enough strength to get his leg out. The weather started to get worse and worse, and the temperature kept dropping. He tried to chisel the stake out of the tree that was holding the trap in place, but he broke his pocket knife trying. The tree was too hard and cold. Later, he built a fire and some wolves came. He gathered all the wood that he could reach. While Albert is missing, Johnny is debating if he should go look for him or trust that he can take care of himself. Johnny decided to go look for him a few days later and found him dead.
Literary Devices- This book shows symbolism by using the trap as a symbol. Things that get caught in the trap will surely die. Those that eat what is caught in the trap will live.
Memorable Quotes- “There was a soft click as the teeth of steel closed on his leg.” The significance of this quote is how he traps all of his animals, and they don’t get away from him. So it was a parallel for him not getting away. “The ever-hungry wolves came back down from the hills again.” This quote is significant because this time, he is actually the prey.
October 26, 2017
I am currently about three quarters way through the book The Trap. Let me start off by saying this has not been my favorite read. But having read a good chunk of the book I can lead you to whether you may like it or not. This book is great for anyone who is interested in the outdoors but not for anyone who has a passion for the outdoors.
This is not a good book if you are an outdoorsman looking for a more realistic conflict. This book revolves around an older man named albert that is out on his trapline checking traps and he just so happens to step in one of his own traps, it doesn’t hurt him but it holds him there and he can't get out. If you know anything about the trap that he stepped in you would know that he would be able to get out of it very easily. This is the main reason as to why i have not enjoyed reading this book. I have had a hard time getting around this unrealistic conflict. This book would be enjoyed by someone who likes there to be one main topic but not by anyone that enjoys a lot of action or a more realistic conflict. As an outdoorsman, I love to be outside it drives me crazy to be stuck inside all day. If I’m going to have to read something I need it to keep my attention with more action and conflict or a more realistic story line that makes me feel like i am actually outside myself. I don’t enjoy reading about things that can not happen. This is another reason why I did not like this book. It did not keep my attention do to its lack of action/realistic conflict.
This is not a good book if you are an outdoorsman looking for a more realistic conflict. This book revolves around an older man named albert that is out on his trapline checking traps and he just so happens to step in one of his own traps, it doesn’t hurt him but it holds him there and he can't get out. If you know anything about the trap that he stepped in you would know that he would be able to get out of it very easily. This is the main reason as to why i have not enjoyed reading this book. I have had a hard time getting around this unrealistic conflict. This book would be enjoyed by someone who likes there to be one main topic but not by anyone that enjoys a lot of action or a more realistic conflict. As an outdoorsman, I love to be outside it drives me crazy to be stuck inside all day. If I’m going to have to read something I need it to keep my attention with more action and conflict or a more realistic story line that makes me feel like i am actually outside myself. I don’t enjoy reading about things that can not happen. This is another reason why I did not like this book. It did not keep my attention do to its lack of action/realistic conflict.
September 28, 2018
I thought this book was amazing. I love the details the author puts into this book. I knew, as soon as I saw this book, that I would love this book all the way through. One thing I love about this book is the title. I am a major trapper fan, and I love to trap when it is in season. So by the title of this book, I knew it was going to be a good book. One thing that caught me by surprise is the author. The author is an Indian and he is the very few that knows and remembers his ancestors and the way they talked. Another thing about the author is how descriptive his words are. You can almost feel yourself in the grandpas situation and the suspense that happens with Johnny trying to find his grandpa.
One of my favorite character is Johnny. I think he sets a very good role model of a boy taking care of his grandmother and concerned for this grandfather. When Johnny started to get worried for his grandfather, he would tell people, but no one will listen. Or they might say that “your grandfather has done this for many many years. He will be fine and will come back soon.” Like Johnny, we should trust our instinct, and when something bad happens, Johnny doesn’t let others tell him what he should or shouldn’t do. I highly recommend this book for everyone, because it is inspirational. This is one of the best books I have read so far, and I hope everyone can get a chance to read this book at least once. It definitely worth-wild.
One of my favorite character is Johnny. I think he sets a very good role model of a boy taking care of his grandmother and concerned for this grandfather. When Johnny started to get worried for his grandfather, he would tell people, but no one will listen. Or they might say that “your grandfather has done this for many many years. He will be fine and will come back soon.” Like Johnny, we should trust our instinct, and when something bad happens, Johnny doesn’t let others tell him what he should or shouldn’t do. I highly recommend this book for everyone, because it is inspirational. This is one of the best books I have read so far, and I hope everyone can get a chance to read this book at least once. It definitely worth-wild.
May 29, 2019
Ryan Tremblay
Mrs. Cevoli
CP English 9
May 28th, 2019
“He closed his eyes again and tried to sleep, tried to dream about home and his warm bed in his cabin with its smell of wood smoke and fish head soup. He tried to dream about his old wife nestled against him in their small, warm bed.”
Johnny least- weasel is bringing up that he dreams of being in his cabin and with his wife instead of worrying about his grandpa in the woods and sleeping out their.Jonny set out and went into the wild after his grandpa went into the Alaskan wilderness to check his traps and didn't come back.His grandpa had been checking traps for over sixty years and nothing had ever gone wrong. Johnny gets worried for his grandpa and sets out to find him. The temperatures were dropping dramatically as night began to fall. His grandpa was in the Alaskian night all alone and nobody had known what happend to him. Grandpa got stuck in his own trap line and all his survival gear was in his snowmible which was to far for him to reach with nobody for miles to help him and all he can think about is his family and just being home safe. When johnny goes out to find his grandpa he doesnt know exactly where to look because of a lot of trap lines he has.
Mrs. Cevoli
CP English 9
May 28th, 2019
“He closed his eyes again and tried to sleep, tried to dream about home and his warm bed in his cabin with its smell of wood smoke and fish head soup. He tried to dream about his old wife nestled against him in their small, warm bed.”
Johnny least- weasel is bringing up that he dreams of being in his cabin and with his wife instead of worrying about his grandpa in the woods and sleeping out their.Jonny set out and went into the wild after his grandpa went into the Alaskan wilderness to check his traps and didn't come back.His grandpa had been checking traps for over sixty years and nothing had ever gone wrong. Johnny gets worried for his grandpa and sets out to find him. The temperatures were dropping dramatically as night began to fall. His grandpa was in the Alaskian night all alone and nobody had known what happend to him. Grandpa got stuck in his own trap line and all his survival gear was in his snowmible which was to far for him to reach with nobody for miles to help him and all he can think about is his family and just being home safe. When johnny goes out to find his grandpa he doesnt know exactly where to look because of a lot of trap lines he has.
July 22, 2017
Johnny is worried about his grandfather, who should have back from checking his trap lines. One of the traps has snared something big: Johnny's grandfather. The story alternates between the two--the grandfather struggling to stay warm and fight off predators in the dark Alaskan cold; his grandson worried about him but listening to elders telling him that his grandfather will be back very soon.
The story was engrossing and I kept turning pages to find out what would happen, but I never got the palpable sense of cold I wanted from this. Facts about Indian life this far north are dropped in smoothly enough--they're well-integrated in the narrative--but they still stand out as the author showing that he did his homework and knows the area.
I'd definitely pass this along to boys looking for more outdoor survival stories, though.
The story was engrossing and I kept turning pages to find out what would happen, but I never got the palpable sense of cold I wanted from this. Facts about Indian life this far north are dropped in smoothly enough--they're well-integrated in the narrative--but they still stand out as the author showing that he did his homework and knows the area.
I'd definitely pass this along to boys looking for more outdoor survival stories, though.
October 18, 2018
The story “The Trap”, written by John E. Smelcer is about a 17 year old boy, named Johnny, whose grandpa will not give up trapping animal. In the story, there are other guys Johnny’s age, though they had stopped trapping animals years ago. Albert, Johnny’s grandfather, has been doing this for sixty years alone, in the Alaskan wilderness. Albert knows the trails very well. At one point in the story Albert was being hootted by an out across the field, though Albert had attempted to ignore the bird, it just did not work, so he yelled at the owl to scare it off. While Albert was out during a harsh weathered day and the temperature dropping, Johnny has to make the choice to wait and see if his grandfather will return, or to go out and look for him. This book also addresses living in Alaska, such as getting food and dealing with wild animals and several more.
May 22, 2019
The Trap is a mysterious book by John Smelcer and takes place in Alaska and I liked the book. My favorite line in The Trap was, “Frost-sharpened stars filled the sky; a full moon lit the landscape so bright that he could see across the wide valley; and on the horizon above the far white mountains, the northern lights were shimmering and dancing, pulsing across the sky in long shifting ribbons” (Smelcer 94). This line gave me a relaxing feeling and it described what the setting was like. This book was entertaining because of how it shows the relationship with the indians and the old man. This book would be good for anybody who doesn’t want a complex book because its a understandable book and teaches people life skills. People who get emotional should avoid this book but I think anybody could read this book.
January 4, 2021
A quick jaunt off the beaten path - this slim book of only 170 pages allows you to “clear the palette” between the book you just finished and the next one on your list. Good for hi/lo readers looking for something bite sized but packs a good punch.
A story told over four days, it serves as one man’s reminder that Indians call themselves simply as such, and the wilderness its own personhood. Beautiful descriptions of Indian life, nature, stories and loyalty to others.
Right off the bat - page #4 begins descriptions of “a 100
Names for snow.” Smelcer shows you immediately he is an artist and this book is worth a settling in for. Highly recommended reading during downpours and snowstorms.
#itcalledtobepulledofftheshelf
#booksfindtheirwaytous
A story told over four days, it serves as one man’s reminder that Indians call themselves simply as such, and the wilderness its own personhood. Beautiful descriptions of Indian life, nature, stories and loyalty to others.
Right off the bat - page #4 begins descriptions of “a 100
Names for snow.” Smelcer shows you immediately he is an artist and this book is worth a settling in for. Highly recommended reading during downpours and snowstorms.
#itcalledtobepulledofftheshelf
#booksfindtheirwaytous
December 25, 2017
What a beautifully written and compelling read. Set in an Athabaskan community located in the harsh Alaskan wilderness, The Trap alternates chapters between Johnny Least-Weasel and his grandfather, Albert. When Albert doesn’t return from checking his traplines, Johnny must decide if he should go searching for his stubborn grandfather. I normally wouldn’t have picked up a book like this, but Ray Bradbury’s praise on the front cover caught my eye. I love, not only the parallel stories of Johnny and his grandfather, but also a glimpse of the traditions and culture of the Athabaskan people. It was the perfect read for a cold Christmas morning.
February 23, 2018
A quick, COLD read that will make you shiver and reach back for more. It doesn't read like most YA books, but I certainly wouldn't call it adult. It's an adult matter wrapped up in YA language. Either way, I, as an adult, adored the story and could get over the less than eloquent writing at times for the overall stellar plot and characters. It's definitely worth a read.
December 7, 2018
I was not impressed by this book. I knew I had picked up the wrong book when the first six pages were descriptions of snow. Six pages! It had random flash backs that didn't do much for the story and I couldn't tell when they ended. I see this book got decent ratings that's why I picked it up. I don't know, it just wasn't the book for me.
May 17, 2023
I liked this book and how quick it was to read. The author did a great job at painting a picture of the setting and the characters personalities and experiences. But I did believe that the story was a bit weaker than I would have hoped it to be. However I read this for a class so that may have affected my enjoyment of it a bit.
September 21, 2017
I gave it three stars because it wasn't about what I thought it was about. I liked it because it was kind of about hunting. It was not about my kind of hunting. I like hunting and fishing. I would tell you to read it if you like hunting and survial books
March 4, 2022
I read this novella after reading Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick. I have to say I enjoyed Revolver more but I think this book would be a better read for a younger audience. I love books that make you FEEL the setting and both books accomplish that very well! Good short read nothing terribly graphic.
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