Paul Brown (18) (1942–)

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 show more 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. show less

Well-written, realistic animal story. Unsentimental, vivid depictions of "survival of the fittest" encounters. I imagine Gary Paulsen fans appreciating this one.

life in the northern reaches of Ontario through the eyes and voice of the wolf - the language might prove a stretch for some and the repetition of daily activities may lose a few more. Somewhat similar in context to Wild Animals I Have Known (and other books) by Ernest Thomas Seton that I would prefer over this.