Julie of the Wolves

A moving book - for 6th grade and up

This is an example of where age-appropriateness does not necessarily correspond to reading level. In 4th grade, I was able to read the words of this book, but essentially left part 2 out of my book report because I did not understand it. My teacher recommended that I read it again in two years - and she was right! I was really touched by this book, and still remember Myax' ending poem to her adopted wolf father. This book is an antidote to hundreds of years of "big bad wolf" stories.

I would recommend Farley Mowat's Never Cry Wolf over Jean Craighead George's Julie of the Wolves. They have very similar in their messages.
I read this with some arctic indigenous students and it was a slow read for us. I found the rape scene rather awkward and unnecessary in a book meant for youth. The ending was wishy-washy and not enjoyed by the class or myself. It kind of let us down.
Not a bad book, but not as good as others on the same subject.

The best

I loved this book as a young girl. The lead's love of nature and her adoptive wolf family is an enchanting novel. Some adult elements such as her marriage and the relationship between her and her husband might confuse young reader. The harsh reality of nature and survival might also upset sensitive readers. This is a beautiful novel dealing with the return to nature. Julie finds her freedom in the cruelest of enviroment the courage of the heroine make this an unforgetable tale.