by John Smelcer
“More psychological depth than Robinson Crusoe.”
—Frank McCourt
Chosen for the 2014 Battle of the Books by the
Alaska Association of School Libraries
An American Booksellers Association
ABC Best Books for Children title
Lone Wolves
John Smelcer
Deneena Yazzie isn’t like other 16-year-old girls in her village. Her love of the woods and trail come from her grandfather, who teaches her the all-but-vanished Native Alaskan language and customs. While her peers lose hope, trapped between the old and the modern cultures, Denny and her mysterious lead dog, a blue-eyed wolf, train for the Great Race—a thousand-mile test of courage and endurance through the vast Alaskan wilderness. Denny learns the value of intergenerational friendships, of maintaining connections to her heritage, and of being true to herself, and in her strength she gives her village a new pride and hope.
“A beautiful and moving story of courage and love.”
—Ray Bradbury
“With this inspiring young adult novel, Smelcer promises to further solidify his status as ‘Alaska’s modern-day Jack London.’”
—Mushing magazine, Suzanne Steinert
“Powerful, eloquent, and fascinating, showcasing a vanishing way of life in rich detail.”
—Kirkus
“An engaging tale of survival, love, and courage.”
—School Library Journal
Amelia Bloomer List of recommended feminist literature
(American Library Association)
Savage Mountain
John Smelcer
In the summer of 1980, brothers Sebastian and James Savage decide to climb one of the highest mountains in Alaska to prove themselves to their father, a tough and unloving man who has always belittled them. The brothers, always at odds, develop different ways of coping with this rejection, but each yearns to finally have his respect. Inspired by true events, this story is not about father-son reconciliation. Some relationships can never be mended. Instead, it’s a touching story of two brothers who test their limits and realize, finally, that their worth is not dictated by their father, and that no matter how different they might be, the strongest bond of all is brotherhood.
“Set in the interior of Alaska, this novel balances family dynamics, brother-bonding, and high-stakes adventure. . . . The mountaineering and Alaskan drama is both realistic and exotic, suspenseful, and exciting. . . . Extreme adventure sequences and the strong brotherly relationship make this a solid general purchase.”
—School Library Journal
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