Author: Rosanne Parry
Genre: Animal Fiction
This is a fictional story based on a real wolf which was tracked over several years by biologists.
Swift, a wild wolf cub, lives with his brothers and sister in a pack in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. As Swift and his littermates expand their world from the close security of the den to hunting with the pack, they learn more about their world and the hierarchy of a wolf pack. Then a rival pack attacks, and Swift and his family are scattered. Swift is left alone and scared as he flees from the attackers. His journey takes him one thousand miles across the Oregon wilderness and is full of peril – forest fire, hunters, injury, hunger, and highways full of speeding “noisemakers” before he finds his new home and a new pack mate.
Animal lovers will find Swift’s trek thrilling, with its dangers and comforts and unexpected allies, and the natural struggle for survival in the wilderness. At the end of the book Swift changes his name to Wander as he reflects on his journey. The book includes an epilogue of factual details about the real wolf behind the story, wolves in general, and geographic facts about the Pacific Northwest.
This story is written in the first person narrative, and at times could have the reader a bit squeamish as the prey is eaten in graphic details e.g.: “I take the whole liver and all the heart, feeling stronger with every bite. I strip skin and gulp muscle. Red runs down my chin.” P.121 It is fitting in the context of a wolf’s struggle to survive hunger, injury, a forest fire, and hunters. Swift also comes across a herd of wild horses and observes a mother horse giving birth with a thought of eating the baby (although he decides not to). May be slightly too graphic for younger readers.
Is the book well written? Does the story draw the reader in and make you want to keep reading? Yes, told from the wolf’s perspective, the story is engaging. The author navigates the animal conscious without crossing the boundary of making animals the same as or equal to humans. I also enjoyed the illustrated pages scattered throughout the book with black and white pencil style drawings.
Is the language appropriate and wholesome? Yes, no language concerns. Some graphic details as noted above.
Does this book illustrate any Biblical truths? While it is not a “Christian” book, it does illustrate the wonder of God’s creation and how He has made all of the pieces work together. As a read aloud, this gives wonderful opportunities for discussions.
Does this book promote any lifestyle or belief system contrary to the teachings of Scripture? No, there is no inclusion of New Age, nature worship or pantheism etc. Mention is made of following the “wolf star” but in context this is more about the traditions of the wolf pack than any sort of worship.
Reading Level: 10-14 years old as a read alone.
I am a participant in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn me a commission
Purchase A Wolf Called Wander at Amazon.com
