Reviewed by Theresa L. Stowell for TeensReadToo.com
Paul Brown tells the story of Wolf, an Alpha male, and the pack he joins after the death of his mate and their pups. The narrative follows the pack on their journey across the Canadian wilderness during a harsh winter season.
The pack's interaction with other wildlife, particularly the caribou upon which they feed, produces a realistic tone and balances the pursuit of the wolves themselves by human hunters. Not all human contact is negative though, as Brown shows the curiosity about each other from both wolf and human points of view. Wolf's tale is a powerful one, and Brown doesn't even attempt to hide the merciless facets of a wolf's life.
Though the narrative itself is educational, the fact that it is interspersed with non-fiction facts about wolves and other wildlife is an additional bonus. Together with pen-and-ink illustrations by Robert Kakegamic, Brown's poetic vision crosses genre boundaries while it introduces an epic journey in a way that young readers will find fascinating.
Teachers doing a poetry unit would find Brown's easy style and free verse a great selection for classroom use.
Paul Brown tells the story of Wolf, an Alpha male, and the pack he joins after the death of his mate and their pups. The narrative follows the pack on their journey across the Canadian wilderness during a harsh winter season.
The pack's interaction with other wildlife, particularly the caribou upon which they feed, produces a realistic tone and balances the pursuit of the wolves themselves by human hunters. Not all human contact is negative though, as Brown shows the curiosity about each other from both wolf and human points of view. Wolf's tale is a powerful one, and Brown doesn't even attempt to hide the merciless facets of a wolf's life.
Though the narrative itself is educational, the fact that it is interspersed with non-fiction facts about wolves and other wildlife is an additional bonus. Together with pen-and-ink illustrations by Robert Kakegamic, Brown's poetic vision crosses genre boundaries while it introduces an epic journey in a way that young readers will find fascinating.
Teachers doing a poetry unit would find Brown's easy style and free verse a great selection for classroom use.
