A Wolf Called Wander

by Rosanne Parry

Other authorsMonica Armino (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2019

Status

Checked out

Call number

PARRY

Genres

Children's Books

Fiction

Publication

Greenwillow Books (2019), Edition: 1st Edition, 256 pages

Description

Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. HTML: A New York Times bestseller! "Don't miss this dazzling tour de force."�Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winning author of The One and Only Ivan This gripping novel about survival and family is based on the real story of one wolf's incredible journey to find a safe place to call home. Illustrated throughout, this irresistible tale by award-winning author Rosanne Parry is for fans of Sara Pennypacker's Pax and Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan. Swift, a young wolf cub, lives with his pack in the mountains learning to hunt, competing with his brothers and sisters for hierarchy, and watching over a new litter of cubs. Then a rival pack attacks, and Swift and his family scatter. Alone and scared, Swift must flee and find a new home. His journey takes him a remarkable one thousand miles across the Pacific Northwest. The trip is full of peril, and Swift encounters forest fires, hunters, highways, and hunger before he finds his new home. Inspired by the extraordinary true story of a wolf named OR-7 (or Journey), this irresistible tale of survival invites readers to experience and imagine what it would be like to be one of the most misunderstood animals on earth. This gripping and appealing novel about family, courage, loyalty, and the natural world is for fans of Fred Gipson's Old Yeller and Katherine Applegate's Endling. Includes black-and-white illustrations throughout and a map as well as information about the real wolf who inspired the novel. Plus don't miss Rosanne Parry's stand-alone companion novel, A Whale of the Wild..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Born into the darkness of his den, the wolf pup Swift first understands the world through smell. One of five cubs, he is named for his eagerness to explore, and the swiftness of his development and movement. Soon initiated into the life of the pack, he comes to love everything about his home in the

mountains. But when his family is attacked and scattered by a rival pack of wolves intent on securing the mountain for their own, Swift finds himself embarking on an epic journey, and struggling to survive as he moves from place to place in search of a new home and a new family. But will this wandering wolf ever find what he seeks...?

Beautifully written, with moments of both humor and pathos, A Wolf Called Wander was inspired by the story of a real wolf - OR-7 - who lived in Oregon's Wallowa Mountains and was tagged by biologists. In 2011 they tracked his 1000-mile journey to find a new pack. This was my first book from Rosanne Parry, an author living in Oregon, and I really enjoyed her writing. The exchanges between Swift and his father were quite humorous, and the relationship between Swift and Warm charming. Warm's death midway through the book was absolutely heartbreaking. I appreciated the fact that Parry didn't sugarcoat what life in the wild is like - as Swift learns, everything either eats or is eaten, at some point - but that she also captured the beauty of nature and the occasional possibilities of coexistence and help, between species. This latter was evident in Swift's relationship with his raven, and in the moment when he warns a horse herd of an imminent cougar attack. I enjoy animal fiction that manages to convince me it is from the animal's own realistic perspective, and this definitely fit the bill. It also had lovely artwork from Mónica Armiño. A delightful book, engaging and poignant, this is one I would recommend to young animal lovers, with the proviso that they be aware that there are some disturbing scenes.

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LibraryThing member bookwren

I purchased this book because I love the author and wolves. Parry writes well through the eyes of the wolf, which isn't easy. A great story for calling attention to the mistreatment of wolves and habitat, and to show how family-oriented they are. Lots of factual back matter: The Real Wolf Behind

the Story; a map of OR-7's Journey; About Wolves; The Habitats of the Pacific Northwest; Author's Note; Resources for Young Readers; General Resources.

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LibraryThing member juju2cat

Beautiful and moving. Filled with the love from the warmth of the pack and torn from it tragically. We don't know what strengths we have until we are thrust into the unknown. I hope my granddaughters fall in love with this book as I did.

LibraryThing member CaitZ

I generally don't like books with animal narrators so I picked one that is aimed at middle graders and it was excellent. It's based on a real wolf who lost his pack and traveled 1000 miles through Oregon and finally found a mate. It delivers a whole range of emotions from joy to sadness, but

ultimately it's a story of perseverance

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LibraryThing member skstiles612

This book is based on an actual wolf somehow separated from his pack. Anyone who loves stories that tug at your emotions will love this book. Swift wants only to be the head of a pack. His life is not an easy one. He faces many challenges in his life. His will to survive is strong. What I loved

most about this book is that both kids and adults will enjoy this book. There is information in the back that will reach out to that person who loves reading nonfiction information. The story carries you along to a satisfying end. As a teacher I enjoy reading books that I can recommend to my students. This is one that I know they will really enjoy.

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