This classic adventure tale is a dream come true for anyone who's ever fantasized about running away to live in the wild. Sam Gribley, a young boy from the city, heads to the Catskill Mountains to live off the land - with only his wits, a few tools, and a love for nature. The book is packed with survival tips, inventive problem-solving, and a profound appreciation for the outdoors. Its vivid descriptions and Sam’s resourcefulness inspire independence and curiosity. Perfect for middle-grade readers, outdoorsy kids, fans of survival fiction like "Hatchet," and nostalgic adults revisiting childhood favorites.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers may find Sam's solo survival story a bit far-fetched or overly idealized, especially if they prefer realism or detailed character development. Adults might notice the improbability of a city kid thriving solo in the wilderness and find the plot a bit simplistic. The pace can feel slower at times due to its focus on daily survival routines, and the ending may come off as abrupt or unsatisfying for those invested in Sam’s journey. Readers who aren’t into nature, survival stories, or journal-like narratives might not connect with the book.

A timeless, imaginative ode to self-reliance and nature, My Side of the Mountain is a must-read for young adventurers - and anyone who’s ever wanted to escape to the wild, at least for an afternoon.

About:

"My Side of the Mountain" is a classic novel by Jean Craighead George that tells the story of Sam Gribley, a young boy who runs away from his crowded city life to live in the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains. Sam learns to survive on his own, befriends a falcon named Frightful, and explores the challenges and rewards of living off the land. The book captures Sam's journey of self-sufficiency, connection with nature, and the importance of human companionship, all while showcasing themes of survival, independence, and adventure.

The plot unfolds as Sam navigates the harsh winter, builds a home in a tree, and learns valuable skills for survival, such as hunting for food and making tools. The writing style of the book is engaging and thought-provoking, with vivid descriptions of Sam's experiences in the wilderness, his interactions with animals, and his personal growth throughout the story. Readers are taken on a captivating journey alongside Sam as he discovers the beauty and challenges of living in harmony with nature.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Sam embodying the adventurous spirit and his animal companions providing support and connection.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and vivid, making it engaging for young readers while providing informative insights about nature.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a boy who escapes to the wilderness, learns to survive using his skills, and ultimately discovers the value of community.

Setting:

The setting is pivotal to the story, serving as a vast wilderness backdrop for Sam's journey and personal growth.

Pacing:

The pacing manages to balance between survival details and engaging moments, maintaining reader interest throughout.

I had been working since May, learning how to make a fire with flint and steel, finding what plants I could eat, how to trap animals and catch fish—all this so that when the curtain of blizzard struck...

Notes:

The book was published in 1959 and is regarded as a classic of children's literature.

It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Sam Gribley who runs away from his crowded New York City home to live in the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains.

Sam learns wilderness survival skills by reading books, particularly about falconry, which becomes a significant part of his story.

He initially struggles to survive alone and meets a man named Bill who teaches him how to make a fire.

Sam captures a falcon chick from a nest and names it Frightful, training it to help him hunt.

The novel begins in winter with Sam comfortably living in a hollow tree during a blizzard, giving a sense of his successful adaptation to the wild.

Throughout the year, Sam learns to make clothing, store foods, and build a smokehouse for preservation, demonstrating his growth and resourcefulness.

The story explores themes of independence, self-sufficiency, and the balance between solitude and human connection.

Sam's experiences illustrate a young person's desire for freedom contrasted with the challenges of survival and the importance of companionship.

The book has won numerous accolades, including a Newbery Honor and remains popular for its educational content about nature and survival.

From The Publisher:

Fifteen-year-old Sam Gribley has decided to run away from his crowded apartment home, but unlike most kids who rarely get beyond their block, Sam goes from New York City all the way to the ruined farm of Great-grandfather Gribley in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There are no buildings or people on the old Gribley farm, so Sam sets up residence by hollowing out the trunk of an ancient Hemlock tree. He has brought only a few tools of survival with him: a penknife, a ball of cord, an ax, 40 dollars, and some flint and steel to help him make fire. Using these simple tools and his wits, Sam learns to live off the land, and in the course of a year, discovers just how much he values freedom, independence, and adventure when faced with the challenges of blizzards, loneliness and fear.

Jean Craighead George is particularly adept in her use of animal characters, whose actions and habits communicate as much as if they were imbued with the unrealistic ability to speak. Sam's pet falcon, Frightful, for example, is a lively and complex companion, as is The Baron, a humorous weasel who lives nearby.

This Newberry Honor Book combines recipes, drawings, diary entries and narration to create an enthralling portrait of a boy's self-sufficiency. Outdoor lovers will find lots of information about survival skills, and all readers will identify with Sam's ups and downs as he lives out every child's secret dream. For those who would enjoy reading more about Sam and Frightful, George has penned a sequel, On the Far Side of the Mountain, as well as the final book in the trilogy, told from the falcon's point of view, Frightful's Mountain.

1959

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357 pages

Ratings (65)

Incredible (14)
Loved It (26)
Liked It (18)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (4)

Reader Stats (152):

Read It (70)
Want To Read (32)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (49)

1 comment(s)

jortup295

Loved It

1 year

A quaint story from a bygone era. I did not remember or anticipate that ending.

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My Side of the Mountain

Jean Craighead George

Book 1 in the series:Mountain

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