Jean Craighead George's Newbery acceptance speech In Mount McKinley National Park we found Gordon Haber cutting wood beside his cabin at Sanctuary River. Jays sang around him, and ground squirrels watched him, for Gordon was part of the ecology. He had spent three summers with the wolves and was preparing for his second winter. When I explained that I was in Alaska to write about wolves, he took Luke and me to watch a pack at their summer den. For ten days we lay on our bellies, peering through a spotting scope and binoculars at these remarkable beasts. We saw the black alpha awaken, saw his pack nuzzle him under the chin ceremoniously, heard him open the hunt song with a solo. When all were alert, he would swing through the willows, his huntsmen at his heels, to test their crop of moose and caribou for harvesting. We never witnessed a kill, but we saw the ravens hover over kills and the hunters return home as fat as barrels to regurgitate food for their pups. We watched the puppies play bone ball, tug o’war, 'jump on the babysitter'; and we became wholly involved in wolves. Luke, who had come to Alaska to fish, never strung up his rod again. One dawn we joined Haber on a trip to the deserted nursery den of his pack. We hiked through bog, sphagnum moss, and over the tundra to a remote valley. Pushing our way through tangled willows, we climbed to a bluff high above the river. There in a layer of white sand was the birthing den, a generous tunnel dug into the earth. It was topped with flowers and set beneath a small garden of twisted spruce. The entire home expressed family love. A play yard was worn in front of the den. Around it were the large saucer-like beds of adults. I could envision them watching the tumbling pups, grins on their faces. Most heartwarming, however, was a shaft that led straight down to the nursery chamber. It was a sort of telephone. During the first few weeks after birthing when the female remains in the den with the pups, the other adults stand over this hole and listen to the sounds from the den below: whimpers, sucking sounds, the contented grunts of happy puppies. When an adult wags his tail, he says, “all is well”; and the other wolves wag their tails, too. Just before leaving the den site, I sat down beside the entrance and scanned the wide valley. I wanted to see the rocks and mountains as the wolf sees them. I looked down, and my blood turned to ice. There below was an enormous grizzly, head down, fur swinging as he came down our trail. Instinct warned me to stand still, but reason told Gordon to act. He wanted us ahead of the bear so that we would not meet him face to face when he turned around to go home. “Run!” Haber said. Luke shot off like a prong-horn antelope; Gordon like a deer. I ran as if I were weighted down with lead, but I must have been zooming. As I leaped down a frost heave, I passed a jay in flight. When we were safely ahead of the bear, we heard a wild sound as if an orchestra were tuning up. I looked back. On the top of the hill stood the female wolf and her nine fat puppies, who bounded forward to greet us. One yip from their mother, and all the pups vanished. If there was any doubt in my mind that wolves speak to each other, it was banished in that moment.
✔ Author(s): Jean Craighead George,John Schoenherr
✔ Title: Julie of the Wolves (HarperClassics)
✔ Rating : 4.7 out of 5 base on (1174 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0064400581
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Evie Ferguson
Travel back in time with a historical epic that vividly recreates a bygone era. The author's meticulous research and engaging prose transport you to another world. Complex characters and intricate plots keep you enthralled from beginning to end. Each chapter reveals new insights into the period's culture and society. It's a captivating blend of history and fiction. Ideal for history buffs and lovers of epic sagas.
Dayne Holt
Experience the inspiring journey of an individual overcoming incredible odds in this powerful memoir. The author's candid and heartfelt writing brings their story to life. Each chapter reveals the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The narrative is both informative and deeply moving, offering valuable life lessons. It's a story that motivates and inspires, making it a must-read. Perfect for those seeking inspiration and personal growth.
Sara Price
Immerse yourself in a richly detailed fantasy world where heroes and villains clash in epic battles. The author's intricate plotting and dynamic characters create a compelling narrative. Each twist and turn in the story keeps you hooked from start to finish. The vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building transport you to another realm. It's a thrilling adventure that captures the essence of epic fantasy. Perfect for fans of high-stakes adventures.
