Wolf!

by Geoffrey Malone

In the desperate search for food during a desolate winter, Marak leads his pack of wolves into the cattle country of Wyoming. Lying in wait for them near the town of Elliot Lake is a hunter, hired by a local rancher, Daniels. The Viccary family is new to Elliot Lake, and 13-year-old Ed Viccary is having difficulty adjusting to small-town life—not least because of his conservationist views. When Marak is critically injured by the hunter, it is Ed's father who finds him bleeding in the snow. The local people insist that they turn the wolf over to Daniels, and the Viccarys reluctantly concede. But Ed is appalled, and in the dead of night he frees Marak, who escapes into the wilderness. Marak is on his own, with every wolf pack trying to drive him away. Eventually, he meets a solitary female, and they begin to carve out their own territory. But Daniels and his hunters are closing in.

Genres: Wolves, Animals

199 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[WolfLover · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book predictable and boring. It’s one of those children’s stories that involves a human child trying to save a wild animal, with the point of view alternating between human and animal. Whilst I can see how some children might enjoy this, it’s never been something that appealed to me – when I read an animal story, I want to read about the animal, not about people. In this particular case, the parts from the wolf’s point of view are spoiled by the bland narrative and the fact that there’s no dialogue between the characters. You’re just told “wolf does this, wolf does that” with no thought or emotion behind the actions. There are some factual errors, too.

[Alex T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too predictable and simplistic for its own good.

This is basically every "child character saves the maligned wild animal from poachers" story you have ever read. It checks all the boxes and does practically nothing subversive until the end.

The story and characters are also ridiculously black and white, which fails to highlight the nuance of situations like this. While I do obviously side with the pro-wolf stance here, this book doesn't feel like it'll change any anti-wolf people's minds because it just depicts such people as cartoon-y over-the-top villains.

Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...

[Jess Munnery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can remember reading this when I was younger, takes a good book to stay in my memory like this.