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Julie of the Wolves #3
Julie's Wolf Pack
From the author of the Newbery Medal–winning Julie of the Wolves and its sequel, Julie, comes a third exciting adventure about the wolf pack that saved the life of a young girl when she was lost on the tundra. Julie has returned to her family, but her wolf pack has a story all its own. Fearless but inexperienced Kapu is now the new leader of the pack. He must protect his wolves from the threats of famine and disease and, at the same time, defend himself from bitter rivals, both inside and outside the pack, who are waiting for their chance to overthrow him. The strength of Kapu's leadership will determine not just the well-being of the pack but its very survival. Jean Craighead George's research and first-hand observation form this engrossing, epic tale that's sure to draw readers into the fascinating world of wolves.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
39 people are currently reading
2939 people want to read
About the author
Jean Craighead George
204 books1,513 followersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
August 19, 2016
I loved getting the story from the wolf's perspective. Very excellent strategy, and much more satisfying, I have to say, than the second book in the series. Of course, that might just be because I love the wolves the best. Excellent messages about the balance of an ecosystem, and how humans and wolves can live together in peace.
January 30, 2025
This was an interesting end to the trilogy. I liked the different POV on this one involving more of the interaction of the wolves... among the wolves. Julie is there, but she's not as big as the other books. The involvement of added a new element and tension.
That being said, I felt like the ending of this one was a bit of a let-down.
That being said, I felt like the ending of this one was a bit of a let-down.
May 11, 2022
This was a unique read! The final book in the trilogy, written in 1997, is a complete switch in point of view. This time we see things from the point of view of the Avalik River wolf pack. I loved learning about the hierarchy and wolf behaviour. At times I missed the tension and suspense of the previous two books; however, the emotional side more than made up for it. I was devastated by Kapu’s demise - no, he doesn’t die. I’m not giving anything away.
I found myself trying to summon the patience to cope with the generations of wolves and their names, to cope with Julie’s decision to keep the wolves longer than usual and its repercussions. Not the ending I was expecting, but a good read, nevertheless. Quite a bit of the focus was on environmental concerns, ecosystems and the plausibility of the natives and the wolves maintaining a symbiotic relationship.
I found myself trying to summon the patience to cope with the generations of wolves and their names, to cope with Julie’s decision to keep the wolves longer than usual and its repercussions. Not the ending I was expecting, but a good read, nevertheless. Quite a bit of the focus was on environmental concerns, ecosystems and the plausibility of the natives and the wolves maintaining a symbiotic relationship.
August 25, 2021
Once again, I hate to downgrade an old favorite, but this book is simply not up to par with the others. Part of this is not the fault of the author, or any author that relied on the familiar alpha-beta-omega structure before science caught up with what wild pack systems are really like.
However, the dragging nature of the story, partly incurred by whatever the wolf equivalent of a Gary Stu/Mary Sue is called (Hairy Chew?), is definitely a fault against this book. Nearly a third of it is spent following the wolves around doing wolf things while Raw Bones repeatedly and continuously (and I mean constantly, to the point of being comical) attempts to gain power, until the second part seems to realize it needs at least something resembling a conflict and introduces us to Ice Blink.
Of course, any and all conflict in this book is summarily resolved because Kapu and Sweet Fur Amy are perfect beings, which doesn't help with feeling like the plot is dragging.
Another note is that while Uqaq's difficulties adapting to life in the wild make for a high point in the book, Nutik's story fails for me simply because we humans have proven time and again that we are incapable of separating fantasy from reality. In other words, I find it irresponsible to write about an adopted wolf comfortably adapting to life with humans, to the point of bonding with a small child. While it's possible, there is a reason wolves have not been domesticated en masse like dogs have, with more gruesome outcomes far more likely.
First review
Lovely! It was a little jarring, at first, to jump into the next book without Julie's perspective, and it could also be difficult to keep up with all the generations of wolves and their names. On the other hand, it was a beautiful peek into wolf life and culture, and though it peeved me a great deal when Julie kept the wolf pups too long and they turned too dependent on humans, I appreciated the point that was being made.
However, the dragging nature of the story, partly incurred by whatever the wolf equivalent of a Gary Stu/Mary Sue is called (Hairy Chew?), is definitely a fault against this book. Nearly a third of it is spent following the wolves around doing wolf things while Raw Bones repeatedly and continuously (and I mean constantly, to the point of being comical) attempts to gain power, until the second part seems to realize it needs at least something resembling a conflict and introduces us to Ice Blink.
Of course, any and all conflict in this book is summarily resolved because Kapu and Sweet Fur Amy are perfect beings, which doesn't help with feeling like the plot is dragging.
Another note is that while Uqaq's difficulties adapting to life in the wild make for a high point in the book, Nutik's story fails for me simply because we humans have proven time and again that we are incapable of separating fantasy from reality. In other words, I find it irresponsible to write about an adopted wolf comfortably adapting to life with humans, to the point of bonding with a small child. While it's possible, there is a reason wolves have not been domesticated en masse like dogs have, with more gruesome outcomes far more likely.
First review
Lovely! It was a little jarring, at first, to jump into the next book without Julie's perspective, and it could also be difficult to keep up with all the generations of wolves and their names. On the other hand, it was a beautiful peek into wolf life and culture, and though it peeved me a great deal when Julie kept the wolf pups too long and they turned too dependent on humans, I appreciated the point that was being made.
August 14, 2021
The Julie series is one of my favorite depictions of wolf behavior....yes that's what I enjoy most about it. Such imaginative perspective on the author's part!!
October 3, 2018
Lovely! It was a little jarring, at first, to jump into the next book without Julie's perspective, and it could also be difficult to keep up with all the generations of wolves and their names. On the other hand, it was a beautiful peek into wolf life and culture, and though it peeved me a great deal when Julie kept the wolf pups too long and they turned too dependent on humans, I appreciated the point that was being made.
August 21, 2017
I'm not sure what reminded me this book, but I'm not sure how I forgot it. I read this book years ago, and I'm just guessing on the time. I absolutely adored this book! I am very tempted to read it again. I had no clue that it was part of a series! So it is definitely a stand-alone type book, regardless of its series status. I do believe I'm going to add the other books in the series to my to-read list.
What is very unique about this book is that it follows the wolves, not the humans. But it's not the typical book that follows animals. Usually books humanize the animals to help the reader relate. This book keeps all of the raw animal characteristics of the wolves and in a way is even educational. If you're an animal lover, you will fall in love with this book!
What is very unique about this book is that it follows the wolves, not the humans. But it's not the typical book that follows animals. Usually books humanize the animals to help the reader relate. This book keeps all of the raw animal characteristics of the wolves and in a way is even educational. If you're an animal lover, you will fall in love with this book!
February 2, 2020
Man, I so wish I would have known this book existed when I was a kid. I would have LOVED it. This was my favorite kind of book and kind of hard to fine - one where the story is told from the animals' POV, but they carefully ride the line between natural behavior and anthropomorphism.
As an adult, it was weird little book, but I like how we got to sum up the story of Julie and her wolves. I think just a story about Julie growing up and making college plans would have been a little boring. Getting to see her happy ending this way was really satisfying.
The rabies plot line was also pretty interesting. And the shifting members of the pack, with all their different names and positions. I'm pretty sure this Alpha/Beta/Omega wolf pack theory has been pretty well debunked, so it's not a very accurate picture of wolf behavior, but it was still a fun read.
As an adult, it was weird little book, but I like how we got to sum up the story of Julie and her wolves. I think just a story about Julie growing up and making college plans would have been a little boring. Getting to see her happy ending this way was really satisfying.
The rabies plot line was also pretty interesting. And the shifting members of the pack, with all their different names and positions. I'm pretty sure this Alpha/Beta/Omega wolf pack theory has been pretty well debunked, so it's not a very accurate picture of wolf behavior, but it was still a fun read.
March 22, 2024
genre: Middle-grade fiction
Unlike the previous 2 book which followed Miyax (Julie), the young Inuit girl who was adopted and saved by wolves, this book follows the lives of the wolf pack lead by Kapu.
It was okay. I think 10-year-old me would have liked it better than I actually did.
It's wolves. They do wolf things. The big threats are other wolves and rabies, and even man (but only a little). The science was out-dated, depending on some debunked theories. The stakes seem high, but the drama always fell a bit flat and in the end nothing seemed all that threatening.
Warning: some wolves die. But don't worry, you won't have really bonded with them.
Unlike the previous 2 book which followed Miyax (Julie), the young Inuit girl who was adopted and saved by wolves, this book follows the lives of the wolf pack lead by Kapu.
It was okay. I think 10-year-old me would have liked it better than I actually did.
It's wolves. They do wolf things. The big threats are other wolves and rabies, and even man (but only a little). The science was out-dated, depending on some debunked theories. The stakes seem high, but the drama always fell a bit flat and in the end nothing seemed all that threatening.
Warning: some wolves die. But don't worry, you won't have really bonded with them.
January 20, 2021
I remember reading this when I was a teenager. I had no idea this was actually book 3... I thought was the 2nd book! I'm in my 30s now and I find myself thinking of the 2 books I read in this series again and again.
February 20, 2022
Interesting and fabulous conclusion to the series.
September 10, 2017
It was really good and you get to know a bit more about wolves and their lives.
May 31, 2012
The last book in the Julie trigology had a White Fang feel to it. This book is completely from the wolves' point of view, which I liked a lot. I love how George did a diffrent style in each of the three books. I think it ended the sequel with satisfaction. However, I think George moved through too much time in too few pages in this book.
November 21, 2008
wolves are cute SOMETIMES!
Currently reading
April 24, 2010This book is awesome I love how u can almost understand how wolves live in the wild and how amazing it is!!
September 11, 2014
I love it and how it based on animals and how they live and life for them and it is so interesting I read it for my book report it was good
September 24, 2011
loved this book as a kid. LOVED LOVED LOVED.
September 17, 2017
Not as good as Julie of the Wolves (but then, what is?) but much better than Julie. It follows the exploits of the wolves in the years after Julie leaves them, and the caribou come back.
It's very interesting if for no other reason than the the POV is almost the collective consciousness of the entire wolf pack and their exploits following Miyax's departure. Time moves more quickly and fluidly for them; they think more abstractly, but smells, tastes, and touch factoring into their thinking process. They think like wolves, with wolf wants and needs and agendas factoring into their decisions. They also think with a wolf's understanding of the world (for example, they're spooked by and are vaguely aware of a sickness passing around that causes the infecting to become slobbering, aggressive, and water-aversive; but don't know it as "rabies" the way humans do).
Once again, the ending has sort of a Deu Ex Machina for Julie, with things magically working out for her to ensure her happiness through luck or chance rather than her own hard work or sacrifice, but after how scarring the ending to Julie of the Wolf was, I guess I can't blame Jean Craighead George for wanting to steer clear of another soul-crushing ending for her.
If you want to read a book about the rough, collective POV of a wolf pack as they struggle to survive group dynamics, famine, and disease over the years, it's a good solid read.
It's very interesting if for no other reason than the the POV is almost the collective consciousness of the entire wolf pack and their exploits following Miyax's departure. Time moves more quickly and fluidly for them; they think more abstractly, but smells, tastes, and touch factoring into their thinking process. They think like wolves, with wolf wants and needs and agendas factoring into their decisions. They also think with a wolf's understanding of the world (for example, they're spooked by and are vaguely aware of a sickness passing around that causes the infecting to become slobbering, aggressive, and water-aversive; but don't know it as "rabies" the way humans do).
Once again, the ending has sort of a Deu Ex Machina for Julie, with things magically working out for her to ensure her happiness through luck or chance rather than her own hard work or sacrifice, but after how scarring the ending to Julie of the Wolf was, I guess I can't blame Jean Craighead George for wanting to steer clear of another soul-crushing ending for her.
If you want to read a book about the rough, collective POV of a wolf pack as they struggle to survive group dynamics, famine, and disease over the years, it's a good solid read.
September 5, 2020
This was really enjoyable! The last of the Julie of the Wolves series is primarily told from the perspective of Kapu, the leader of the wolf pack that adopted Julie when she was lost on the tundra in the first book in series. It starts just before the final events in Julie and continues through several seasons with the pack. Julie and her boyfriend and family make appearances and provide human perspective periodically on events, but it is really the story of the wolf pack. You learn much about wolves and pack life and death, the social and governance structure, how packs merge and break apart. You also learn of the dangers to a pack such as rabies. And of course the human threat, even from those studying not hunting. The ending is poetic and right.
I listened to the audio read by Christine Mason and it was good, far better than her reading of Julie. It came with a marvelous bonus: an hour long conversation with the author! What a fascinating woman!
I listened to the audio read by Christine Mason and it was good, far better than her reading of Julie. It came with a marvelous bonus: an hour long conversation with the author! What a fascinating woman!
July 7, 2018
I liked Julie's Wold Pack because of how it described a wolf's life. It told the story in a third person point of view but it described how the wolves felt. How Sweet Fur Amy was babysat by Willow Pup Julie and how she soon became Alpha. It told of the different wolf packs, it told the story of the wolves in their perspective. Kind of like Erin Hunter's Survivors except a bit more realistic. It told of the wolves nature, how they hunted caribou but played with muskoxen, how there were boundaries between the wolf packs and the no man's land in between. It described the life of wolves in a realistic but fictional way, describing things that could happen in real life but also factors that probably wouldn't happen. The book itself was a good read, it was fun and had good characters, a good setting, a good plot, a bunch of things that made a good book. I really liked the ending, how Kapu met with Aaka and they went to the mountains. It was quite sweet but it was't as humane as him just dying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
In the first book, Julie escaped an arranged abusive marriage and found herself lost on the Arctic Tundra where a pack of wolves, led by Amarog, saved her life. She lived with them for 8 months and learned their ways including speaking their language. She also ends up finding her father married to a white woman, and to her dismay, has taken on many of the white people's way of life.
In the second novel, Julie is trying to figure out how to live with the new White Man ways, while also wanting to live with the old Eskimo (Inuit) ways, but also trying to keep her wolves safe from being harm.
In this novel, the story is told not by Julie, but from the point of view of the wolves. Which was really interesting, but also confusing at times, because there are so many different wolves. Julie is the secondary character and shows up periodically. We read and learn about the every day lives of wolves and the different packs, their struggles through famine, disease, new life and death.
It was a nice way to end the series.
In the second novel, Julie is trying to figure out how to live with the new White Man ways, while also wanting to live with the old Eskimo (Inuit) ways, but also trying to keep her wolves safe from being harm.
In this novel, the story is told not by Julie, but from the point of view of the wolves. Which was really interesting, but also confusing at times, because there are so many different wolves. Julie is the secondary character and shows up periodically. We read and learn about the every day lives of wolves and the different packs, their struggles through famine, disease, new life and death.
It was a nice way to end the series.
June 7, 2018
Ugh. This book. There was so much to love about it, but I found it incredibly depressing. Gorgeous writing here, and seeing everything from the perspective of the wolves was fascinating, but I started to get that same feeling I had when reading "Angela's Ashes"...that if ONE MORE BABY DIES, I'M CLOSING THIS BOOK! The Arctic is harsh. I get it. But, apparently, I bond too easily with everyone, because I don't do well with things like this. Again, this is why I don't usually read books with dogs or wolves on the cover. I just know it won't end well. (Shout out to "Because of Winn Dixie" for bucking the trend.)
Still, I'm not sorry I read it, as this book did nicely conclude the series. I'm okay with putting it back on the shelf, though, and I doubt I'd ever read any of them again.
Content Advisory: Lots of animal death (by illness, accident, and violence), laboratory testing of animals (non-graphic)
Still, I'm not sorry I read it, as this book did nicely conclude the series. I'm okay with putting it back on the shelf, though, and I doubt I'd ever read any of them again.
Content Advisory: Lots of animal death (by illness, accident, and violence), laboratory testing of animals (non-graphic)
January 10, 2021
I really liked the third installment of this series. The first two books were from the POV of the human Julie and when she was in human settlements we didn't know what was happening with the wolf pack.
Since this books is from the POV of the wolves, we get to see the interactions of the pack and Julies story continues when she interacts with the pack.
As a wildlife biologist I really appreciated the obvious research that when into how wolf packs behave, their different gestures, the cyclic way they breed, the interactions between packs and the wolves with the prey items.
I cried when pack members died, when puppies were born, when the alpha was removed for scientific research... but this is all how these things really happen. the authenticity is so apparent. I highly recommend this series for young readers as it deals with many serious topics in relatable ways, is entertaining while being educational and is well researched.
Since this books is from the POV of the wolves, we get to see the interactions of the pack and Julies story continues when she interacts with the pack.
As a wildlife biologist I really appreciated the obvious research that when into how wolf packs behave, their different gestures, the cyclic way they breed, the interactions between packs and the wolves with the prey items.
I cried when pack members died, when puppies were born, when the alpha was removed for scientific research... but this is all how these things really happen. the authenticity is so apparent. I highly recommend this series for young readers as it deals with many serious topics in relatable ways, is entertaining while being educational and is well researched.
November 17, 2022
I was recently at a library book sale where I came across this book again. One of the many, many books I read in my childhood and never really catalogued. Its contents slipped my memory to the point where all I really remembered about it was "followed a family of wolves". Googling the author, I know that I read it as a child because it was authored by the same author who did My Side of the Mountain which is one of my favorite YA series. I didn't know then that it was Book 3 in a series, Book 1 of which details the story of some Eskimo running away from an arranged marriage. Something I one hundred percent give no fucks about. The great thing about this book is that it's so disentangled from that series that it can be read as a standalone. The dynamics of the wolf pack are a bit dated, but it's serviceable. Between this and the My Side of the Mountain series however, you'd be wiser to choose the latter.
November 17, 2025
In volume three, the wolf pack is the focus of the story. Julie makes her appearances on occasion, but the wolves are telling the story from their perspective. The story line is a bit slow at the start but that is okay because if you read the first two books, then the reader can relate to what is going on you are not lost. The wolves are shown relating to other packs in the area and how they interact with each other. A rabies outbreak threatens all of the packs and Julie gets to direct how to save them without simply slaughtering them. Julie gets married and is accepted into the professional community because of her unique abilities. A warm story line ending makes the reader feel like it has all been worthwhile. Again, this is an easy read for all ages.
October 10, 2019
A few years in the life of an evolving wolf pack in Alaska. Part documentary, part family drama, part soap opera. I read Julie of the Wolves many years ago, but I have not read Julie. I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the second book.
March 26, 2025
I just finished …and what a great series! This third in the series is told mostly from the wolves point of view. The author’s description places us on the tundra with the pack. We run with them on hunts; we welcome new lif and share tragic death; we become an integral part of the pact, each member having a position/a job to do. I have read/listened to all three books and will read more! Jean Craig head George died in 2012 at age 92.; she is credited with writing over 100 books. At the end of this audio is a very nice interview of George where she talks a great deal of her life and inspiration.
August 1, 2019
I'm really enjoying this series. I like that it stars an Alaskan Native girl, I like that it's an adventure story, and I like that you learn something about Native culture in Alaska and the animals that live there. The descriptions of the wolves are particularly fun to read.
In this book, the star is actually the wolves. I loved the descriptions of all the wolves, their relationships, their behaviors, etc. It was really fun to read and I learned a lot about this. This was a satisfying end to a great series. I would definitely recommend all 3 books!
In this book, the star is actually the wolves. I loved the descriptions of all the wolves, their relationships, their behaviors, etc. It was really fun to read and I learned a lot about this. This was a satisfying end to a great series. I would definitely recommend all 3 books!
December 10, 2020
The final heartfelt volume in the Julie of the Wolves trilogy. I love how the author marries the biological needs of the wolf pack with a poetic description of the Arctic. One example: "The Avaliks sang to the wind that would pack the snow as hard as cement and set them free to run on top of it" (p. 103). This is the language throughout the book and I love how it pulls me in to nature's ebbs and flows. I don't claim to be an expert on wolf behavior or Inupiat customs, but Julie and her wolves will stay with me for a long time.
May 6, 2018
I remember this one being my favorite out of the three book series started with Julie.
I want to reread this again. Although maybe I should leave it in the past where it belongs, and just think on it fondly. I'm terrified of rereading a book from my childhood and discovering it was actually terrible.
I want to reread this again. Although maybe I should leave it in the past where it belongs, and just think on it fondly. I'm terrified of rereading a book from my childhood and discovering it was actually terrible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews