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Journey: The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History
A finalist for the 2017 Green Earth Book Award!
Winner of a Silver Medal in the 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for Non-Fiction Chapter Book.
Join the adventures of the famous wolf OR-7, also known as Journey, as he trots across the landscape of the Pacific Northwest into territories that have not seen his kind for nearly a century. Follow this remarkable animal as he searches for, and finally finds, what he was seeking during his three-year, 4,000-mile trek. Along the way, you'll discover fascinating facts about wolves and meet the humans that had a role in Journey's quest. Enjoy the many photographs, maps, and sketches that help tell the tale of this courageous wolf. The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History was created for middle-grade readers but will be appreciated by everyone with an interest in wolves and a desire to better understand these complex and essential canines.
Winner of a Silver Medal in the 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for Non-Fiction Chapter Book.
Join the adventures of the famous wolf OR-7, also known as Journey, as he trots across the landscape of the Pacific Northwest into territories that have not seen his kind for nearly a century. Follow this remarkable animal as he searches for, and finally finds, what he was seeking during his three-year, 4,000-mile trek. Along the way, you'll discover fascinating facts about wolves and meet the humans that had a role in Journey's quest. Enjoy the many photographs, maps, and sketches that help tell the tale of this courageous wolf. The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History was created for middle-grade readers but will be appreciated by everyone with an interest in wolves and a desire to better understand these complex and essential canines.
- GenresNatureNonfiction
120 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2016
1 person is currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Beckie Elgin
1 book14 followersI was raised in Iowa and now live in the lovely Rogue Valley of southern Oregon. My father was a zoo director so I was surrounded by animals while growing up. Since then I've raised three wonderful children, become an RN, and write in my free time. I love to read both fiction and nonfiction. As I spend a lot of time in my car I've become a big fan of audio books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 24, 2017
As soon as I took it out of the mailer, I knew I was going to love this book. It is square and a good size to hold. The illustrations, maps, and photographs are great, but it is the text I most enjoy. Elgin tells the story of one wolf as a frame for providing detailed information about wolves in general. Her text shifts from narrative told from the perspective of wolves—a tricky business that!—straight forward exposition from the viewpoint of observers and more scientific information, plus occasional sidebars that add specific details.
From the wolf: Writers often get animal perspectives wrong. Elgin nailed this challenging point of view. She is not sentimental and seems to have a clear understanding of the way wolves perceive the world. The book must have been a labor of love, but it is a labor she pursued with scientific accuracy.
It is a highly entertaining read for people of any age. I look forward to sharing this book with family and friends.
I do not often like YA books, which this seems to be. But I do love wolves, and this book is wonderful! Recommended for lovers of wilderness and all wild things.
Disclosure: This book was a no-strings-attached gift. I am grateful.
A final note & a spoiler: I dislike collaring wild animals, even in service of understanding them better, thus I am glad all attempts to re-collar Journey and to collar members of his pack have failed.
From the wolf: Writers often get animal perspectives wrong. Elgin nailed this challenging point of view. She is not sentimental and seems to have a clear understanding of the way wolves perceive the world. The book must have been a labor of love, but it is a labor she pursued with scientific accuracy.
It is a highly entertaining read for people of any age. I look forward to sharing this book with family and friends.
I do not often like YA books, which this seems to be. But I do love wolves, and this book is wonderful! Recommended for lovers of wilderness and all wild things.
Disclosure: This book was a no-strings-attached gift. I am grateful.
A final note & a spoiler: I dislike collaring wild animals, even in service of understanding them better, thus I am glad all attempts to re-collar Journey and to collar members of his pack have failed.
May 24, 2017
In writing Journey, The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History, Beckie Elgin accomplished something spectacular. She created the best record I have ever read of this important wolf’s life, journey, and impact. OR-7 could not have a better biographer or advocate.
Beckie had the good fortune of growing up with wolves. Her knowledge about and love for these essential predators graces every page. I especially like that she wrote this story using two voices. One is that of an accomplished nature writer who knows her subject intimately. The other voice is that of OR-7. We can enjoy the journey from his point of view, because of what Beckie calls her well-informed imagination. And then she added artwork—colorful photos, drawings, and maps—that enhances the story even further. Beckie created a book that pleases the eye, the mind, and the heart.
Beckie wrote Journey, The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History for young people. But after reveling in this book, I’m convinced it should be in the library of every person—young or old—who cares about wolves and their precarious place on this planet.
Rick Lamplugh, author of In the Temple of Wolves: A Winter’s Immersion in Wild Yellowstone and the forthcoming Deep into Yellowstone: A Year’s Immersion in Grandeur and Controversy
Beckie had the good fortune of growing up with wolves. Her knowledge about and love for these essential predators graces every page. I especially like that she wrote this story using two voices. One is that of an accomplished nature writer who knows her subject intimately. The other voice is that of OR-7. We can enjoy the journey from his point of view, because of what Beckie calls her well-informed imagination. And then she added artwork—colorful photos, drawings, and maps—that enhances the story even further. Beckie created a book that pleases the eye, the mind, and the heart.
Beckie wrote Journey, The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History for young people. But after reveling in this book, I’m convinced it should be in the library of every person—young or old—who cares about wolves and their precarious place on this planet.
Rick Lamplugh, author of In the Temple of Wolves: A Winter’s Immersion in Wild Yellowstone and the forthcoming Deep into Yellowstone: A Year’s Immersion in Grandeur and Controversy
July 7, 2017
This book was well researched and quite informative, but I had a few issues with it. The first issue I had was the target audience. I couldn't tell who the author was writing for. There is a lot of text on the page and the vocabulary didn't hold back, but there were many pictures and at times the author took on the persona of the wolf. It seemed a bit strange and I found myself distracted by who should be reading this. The second issue I saw coming. Many books these days come with an opinion, even if they classify themselves as nonfiction, and this book was no different. While I don't disagree with the author's choice to advocate for the wolfs, I wish that she would have spent a bit more time exploring the tangled relationship between the wildlife, farmer/rancher, and the government. From the little I know, it's a complicated story and deserved a bit more coverage that it received in this book. All in all I would recommend this book to wildlife lovers and those interested in Western wolves.
December 28, 2017
This is a book about Journey or OR-7, the Oregon wolf that mad history. It is about his life, travels, and the impact he has made in the re-introduction of wolves into Oregon.
This book is well researched and very informative. The author intersperses scientific facts with the imagined thoughts of Journey as he traveled. This enhances your understanding of the subject matter. She writes with both the perspective of the wolf itself and of the observer. The illustrations, maps, and photos are great and help your experience with the book even more meaningful.
All said, although this book was written for a young audience, "Journey" is quite interesting for all ages, encouraging a love of wolves and nature. Good read!
This book is well researched and very informative. The author intersperses scientific facts with the imagined thoughts of Journey as he traveled. This enhances your understanding of the subject matter. She writes with both the perspective of the wolf itself and of the observer. The illustrations, maps, and photos are great and help your experience with the book even more meaningful.
All said, although this book was written for a young audience, "Journey" is quite interesting for all ages, encouraging a love of wolves and nature. Good read!
March 29, 2020
Fun look at OR7’s exploration aimed at a younger audience (which I didn’t realize). It tells a story written from the wolf’s POV, a little fiction thrown in with the nonfiction. It’s got some fun pictures of the trail cam shots and the territory traveled. However, over half the book is references, which was disappointing.
Overall it’s a neat glimpse at an awesome wolf.
Overall it’s a neat glimpse at an awesome wolf.
June 5, 2020
A great narrative nonfiction choice for middle school students, especially those who normally do not enjoy nonfiction.
March 31, 2017
An informative and engaging narrative complemented with illustrations, maps, and photographs. An abundance of useful end matter.
April 26, 2017
Wonderful read especially if you love wolves. Well written and enjoyable
April 29, 2017
The entrancing cover showing a lone wolf in a forest of tall trees invites the reader in. This book is for everyone--not just middle grade readers. The story of OR-7, the tagged Oregon wolf who left northeast Oregon to find a mate and became the first wild wolf to enter California in 87 years is an amazing true-life adventure. Photographs, illustrations, and maps showing wolves, their territories and environments add specific details to the story.
As the author skillfully tells the story of OR-7 (named Journey by two schoolgirls in an Oregon Wild naming contest), she adds background information about the lifestyles of wolves, their history with humans, methods used by scientists to study wolves. Concepts such as tranquilizers, trail cameras, trophic cascades, GPS, non-lethal protections for livestock, DNA, Endangered Species Act, and more, are well-explained, in addition to the glossary at the back of the book. The author also presents some dilemmas, such as science "intruding" into the lives of wolves with collaring and tracking vs. gaining information to learn about wolves and how to protect and live harmoniously with them. Extensive information continues at the end of the book with source notes, the glossary, and an extensive list of references for further reading.
In the end, the author encourages young (and old) readers to love Nature and take action to benefit animals and our environment. Possible careers to assist wildlife are suggested, and in closing, the authors writes, ". . . know that in any job you do, there are many ways to help make this a better world for animals, for the environment, and for other people."
A portion of proceeds from the book go to support Oregon Wild in their efforts to protect wolves.
As the author skillfully tells the story of OR-7 (named Journey by two schoolgirls in an Oregon Wild naming contest), she adds background information about the lifestyles of wolves, their history with humans, methods used by scientists to study wolves. Concepts such as tranquilizers, trail cameras, trophic cascades, GPS, non-lethal protections for livestock, DNA, Endangered Species Act, and more, are well-explained, in addition to the glossary at the back of the book. The author also presents some dilemmas, such as science "intruding" into the lives of wolves with collaring and tracking vs. gaining information to learn about wolves and how to protect and live harmoniously with them. Extensive information continues at the end of the book with source notes, the glossary, and an extensive list of references for further reading.
In the end, the author encourages young (and old) readers to love Nature and take action to benefit animals and our environment. Possible careers to assist wildlife are suggested, and in closing, the authors writes, ". . . know that in any job you do, there are many ways to help make this a better world for animals, for the environment, and for other people."
A portion of proceeds from the book go to support Oregon Wild in their efforts to protect wolves.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews