Julie of the Wolves

Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George
Reviewed by Annika

Julie of The Wolves is a beautiful novel by Jean Craighead George. The main character, Miyax, or Julie (her english name), is an eskimo who found the situation she was in to be unacceptable. The book is funny, yet serious, simple, yet complex. If you enjoy books about survival or animals, this may be the right book for you!

 Miyax is an Eskimo, and her life was pretty good. That is, until her father disappears and her new protector decides she’s ready to marry. Miyax is excited, until she sees her new husband. Eventually, she decides enough is enough, and runs away to live with her pen pal in San Francisco. Great idea, until she finds herself lost on the North slope of Alaska. Alone and running out of food, Miyax must find a way to survive, and that way happens to be living with a pack of wolves. Eventually, the wolves come to love her as she does them, but Miyax has a decision to make. Will she stay as Miyax with the wolves? Or will she choose to continue on her way, (Somehow!) to San Francisco as Julie?

George’s storytelling is on point, somehow making her story Intriguing and amusing, without having any more main characters than one human and a few wolves. Oh, and eventually an adorable baby bird! Out of 10, I would rate this book a 7.5-8. It is heartbreaking, but heartmending, and is very deep. In some ways, it is a bit confusing, but I would recommend it, as maybe a 7-8th grade reading level.

All in all, I like this story, and I believe it is educational, and that all middle school- Jr. high schoolers should read it. Happy reading!