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Book Review
Reviewed by: Gretchen Rhinehart
Julie of the Wolves
Author: Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: John Schoenherr
Published by Scholastic Inc.
 | Winner of the Newberry Medal |
| Available in paperback |
| Age level: 4-6 grade |
| An Eskimo girl, Miyax (aka Julie Edwards) runs away from
a bad home situation and gets lost on the Alaskan tundra. A pack of wolves
adopts her and she must re-evaluate the importance of Eskimo traditions. She
struggles with where she belongs: in the wild with her pack, in a town with
her people, or in San Francisco with her friend. |
| This would be a good read for slow readers, as the story
moves along at a good pace, and as there are frequent breaks, though no
chapters, per se. Julie of the Wolves would also be a good read-aloud
book, though some of the Eskimo words would take practice to make sound
right. This book covers many relevant areas of life, such as the need for
tradition, love, family, courage, and loyalty, as well as the sanctity of
life. There is one objectionable scene where 12-year-old Miyax’s husband
attempts to sexually assault her. This is a rather inexplicit scene, though
it does convey the girl’s terror. All considered, this is a good book, and
extremely well-written. |
| Available from Barnes
and Noble |
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