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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This was one of those books that has been on my list for forever. I first encountered this book when I was in fifth or sixth grade, in a reading competition called Battle of the Books. Yes, it was the best competition ever. You read extra books and then they asked you reading comprehension questions about them. I read some of my most favorite books because of Battle of the Books, books I still use to this day in my classroom. Julie of the Wolves was one of the books on the list that I didn't read. You see, you were on teams in Battle of the Books and so you split up the reading duties. Yeah, sure, I still read most of the books on the list, but there were a couple I missed. Hatchet, for example. (Okay, I started it and it grossed me out so I didn't finish, happy?) Anyway, I've been seeing this book everywhere since then (it is a Newbery Medal winner, after all, and appears on literally all the lists). I've started it several times and hadn't gotten around to finishing it. Finally, finally, I finished it.
It was good! I loved the survival parts of the book. I love learning about how other cultures adapt and learn to survive in their native environments, and this was no exception. I kept finding myself going, "Oh, that makes sense," or "Cool, I'd never think to do that!" I loved the message that the old ways were good ways -- the Eskimo people had figured out how to adapt to nature rather than to man-made tools to try and fix nature. But the ending really upset me. It seemed to negate the whole book and I didn't like it at all.
Maybe I'll have to read the next one to see what happens, since that ending was terribly unsatisfying. Sigh. Good thing I love to read!
It was good! I loved the survival parts of the book. I love learning about how other cultures adapt and learn to survive in their native environments, and this was no exception. I kept finding myself going, "Oh, that makes sense," or "Cool, I'd never think to do that!" I loved the message that the old ways were good ways -- the Eskimo people had figured out how to adapt to nature rather than to man-made tools to try and fix nature. But the ending really upset me. It seemed to negate the whole book and I didn't like it at all.
Maybe I'll have to read the next one to see what happens, since that ending was terribly unsatisfying. Sigh. Good thing I love to read!
A riveting story showing the transformation of a thirteen year old Eskimo girl Miyax from lost girl to confident young woman. In the beginning of the book, Miyax is lost in the Alaska tundra. She is saved by Amaroq, a wolf and the leader of a wolf pack.
Through Miyax observing the wolf’s behavior towards each other, she learns the language of the wolves and is able to communicate with them on their own terms. Eventually, Miyax is accepted as a member of the wolf pack and members of the pack embrace her by bringing her food and even protecting her from a bear attack.
In the next part of the story, the reader learns Miyax’s English name Julie as well as the sad story of her mother’s death, her father’s despair and Miyax’s removal from her father’s home and living with an aunt since it’s mandatory for her to attend school. Before she leaves her father, he tells her that when she is of age (thirteen,) she will marry the son of his friend as a way to preserve Eskimo traditions.
Although Miyax does well in English school, she finds herself missing the old Eskimo ways. After coming home from school one day, Miyax is told that her father is death which greatly saddens Miyax. As is is dealing with the death of her father, her father’s friend comes to claim her to marry his son Daniel. When Miyax sees Daniel for the first time, she is surprised that he is slow witted and wonders if her father was aware of this fact. Regardless, Miyax and Daniel get married and Daniel spends little to no time with Miyax. Miyax’s life as a married is one filled with helping her mother-in-law with cooking as well as sewing clothing for visiting American tourists. During this time, Miyax meets an American man who asks her to be his daughter’s pen pal. Miyax enjoys being a pen pal and soon begins to imagine a life away from Alaska and a life where her pen pal lives which is in San Francisco.
One night, Daniel comes home and expresses his anger at Miyax because his friends are laughing at him since he has yet to have sex with Miyax. After he yells at her, he rips her dress and tries to force her to have sex with him however, he is unsuccessful. Miyax is afraid of what Daniel will try next and runs away to America and San Francisco.
Although Miyax attempts to run away, she instead gets lost in the Alaska tundra and the majority of the book focuses on her experiences learning to live off the land as well as learning about and how to trust the wolf pack she encounters. Miyax grows a lot as a person during her time in the tundra and has reinvented herself as a self sufficient Eskimo woman not needing to depend on anyone. Just as Miyax has made peace with separating from the wolf pack and successfully building an home made of snow, she meets a family who give her life changing news regarding her father.
This book is entertaining, exciting as well as sad and heartbreaking at times because of Miyax’s feelings of despair and loss. The story presented in this book is one of resolve, hope, and determination which is as timely today as when it was originally written in 1972.
Through Miyax observing the wolf’s behavior towards each other, she learns the language of the wolves and is able to communicate with them on their own terms. Eventually, Miyax is accepted as a member of the wolf pack and members of the pack embrace her by bringing her food and even protecting her from a bear attack.
In the next part of the story, the reader learns Miyax’s English name Julie as well as the sad story of her mother’s death, her father’s despair and Miyax’s removal from her father’s home and living with an aunt since it’s mandatory for her to attend school. Before she leaves her father, he tells her that when she is of age (thirteen,) she will marry the son of his friend as a way to preserve Eskimo traditions.
Although Miyax does well in English school, she finds herself missing the old Eskimo ways. After coming home from school one day, Miyax is told that her father is death which greatly saddens Miyax. As is is dealing with the death of her father, her father’s friend comes to claim her to marry his son Daniel. When Miyax sees Daniel for the first time, she is surprised that he is slow witted and wonders if her father was aware of this fact. Regardless, Miyax and Daniel get married and Daniel spends little to no time with Miyax. Miyax’s life as a married is one filled with helping her mother-in-law with cooking as well as sewing clothing for visiting American tourists. During this time, Miyax meets an American man who asks her to be his daughter’s pen pal. Miyax enjoys being a pen pal and soon begins to imagine a life away from Alaska and a life where her pen pal lives which is in San Francisco.
One night, Daniel comes home and expresses his anger at Miyax because his friends are laughing at him since he has yet to have sex with Miyax. After he yells at her, he rips her dress and tries to force her to have sex with him however, he is unsuccessful. Miyax is afraid of what Daniel will try next and runs away to America and San Francisco.
Although Miyax attempts to run away, she instead gets lost in the Alaska tundra and the majority of the book focuses on her experiences learning to live off the land as well as learning about and how to trust the wolf pack she encounters. Miyax grows a lot as a person during her time in the tundra and has reinvented herself as a self sufficient Eskimo woman not needing to depend on anyone. Just as Miyax has made peace with separating from the wolf pack and successfully building an home made of snow, she meets a family who give her life changing news regarding her father.
This book is entertaining, exciting as well as sad and heartbreaking at times because of Miyax’s feelings of despair and loss. The story presented in this book is one of resolve, hope, and determination which is as timely today as when it was originally written in 1972.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thirteen-year-old Yupik girl Miyax (Julie Edwards Miyax Kapugen) is orphaned and extremely alone, both in life and in the Alaskan wilderness. At the beginning of the story, we encounter Miyax somewhere outside of Barrow, Alaska, having left her husband and life there. As she befriends a wolf pack, we learn more about her past and dreams for the future, with Miyax caught between Alaska's past and its future.
I read this when I was little (I think we listened to the book on CD in the car), and it was really nice to come back to it again.
I read this when I was little (I think we listened to the book on CD in the car), and it was really nice to come back to it again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is still one of my favorite books from my childhood. There are some interesting insights on the Eskimo culture. I would, however, recommend this for older children because there are some parts that younger children would not necessarily understand.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief
This was really slow moving for me. But the end really picked up. Felt like a basic book.
I was really mad when I found out this book was written by some white lady in the 70s. I assumed it was written by an Inuit person but pretty quickly realized as I read that something was up...quick google confirmed my worst suspicions. I finished it with the lens of understanding the kind of shit we shouldn’t be writing and publishing anymore. The story was good and I always love me a good human-animal magical realist connection, BUT THE OVERLAYING/UNDERLAYING PATRONIZING FETISHIZIMG INUIT MYSTICISM CAN NOT BE OVERLOOKED. I will find something better to read than this. Revoke its Newbery. Actually you know what I don’t give a fuck about Newberys.
This didn't hold my attention or was as interesting as I thought it would be.
Absolutely loved this book!! Julie of the Wolves is about an Eskimo girl (struggling in her life between the "old ways" and the "Americanism" creeping into her culture) who is lost in the Alaskan Tundra.
Julie remembers her father telling her that wolves will feed you if you are hungry. But you have to learn their language. Through observation Julie learns how to communicate with the wolves.
I love survival books! (As in The Hatchet is one of the best books ever!!! sort of love.) If you don't like survival-type books this book might only be so-so for you.
LOVE IT! Totally can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Julie remembers her father telling her that wolves will feed you if you are hungry. But you have to learn their language. Through observation Julie learns how to communicate with the wolves.
I love survival books! (As in The Hatchet is one of the best books ever!!! sort of love.) If you don't like survival-type books this book might only be so-so for you.
LOVE IT! Totally can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.