Wolf Brother

Paver, Michelle. (2004). New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 978-0-06-072827-4

PLOT SUMMARY

Six thousand years ago, a young boy is orphaned when is father is killed by a bear. His father's last request was that he find the Mountain of the World Spirit. The fate of the world depends upon his success/failure of this mission, but luckily he has the companionship of a wolf cub to help him on his dangerous journey.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author does a good job of creating characters with whom the readers can sympathize. The writing goes back and forth from the point of view of Torak the boy to the wolf. It is done seamlessly so that the reader is not confused when the perspectives shift. Coming of age story shows growth in the boy who discovers who he is through his father's teachings. He is strong of heart and will, and is someone that readers will enjoy rooting for.

The author also does a great job conjuring up this fantastic world where evil is in the form of a possessed bear and their only hope for a future lies in a prophecy.

READER'S ANNOTATION

Torak is a boy of legend. During a time when people lived in fear of an evil that killed and devastated anything in its way, Torak was given a mission by his dying father--killed by the same evil that lurked in the forests. He must find the Mountain of the World Spirit, or die trying. What he was supposed to do once he got there, he does not know, but he understands the urgency and that it has something to do with the evil that is around them.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Paver was born in Malawi and moved with her family to England in 1963. She started her career as a lawyer, thinking it would give her a chance to make some money while struggling with her writing. She discovered that it just wasn't what she wanted so after a year-long sabbatical, she sent a copy of her first book to a publisher, resigned her job, and was offered a publishing contract a couple months later. She has written several novels for adults and Wolf Brother is her first one for kids.

GENRE

Fantasy/adventure

CURRICULUM TIES

Social studies/Science

Discuss the ways of life of people before written history. How do we know of their existence? What did they do to survive without modern conveniences? What evidence is their of structure in their societies?

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

Have you ever wanted to know how to talk to a wolf? What if you discovered you could? How would you feel if the fate of the world rested on your young shoulders?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

10 and over

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Violence, graphic depictions of fighting and animal killing.

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

Understand library policies on acquisition. Know the book and why it was acquired.

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

Great story that appeals to boy and girl tweens. Friendship and bonding between boy and wolf if touching. Great main character that exhibits traits--kindness, strength, discipline--that we should all admire.