Book Review: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

 Books Review: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

by: Luke Fahnestock


    What would happen if I left behind my family to live in the wilderness? Could I survive with nothing but my wits? These are the questions that Sam Gribley had been contemplating most of his life. Sam lived in a tiny New York apartment with his parents and eight siblings. He was never satisfied with this crowded city life, and longed to run away to the forest. His dad dismissed the idea, telling Sam that he too attempted to run away from home when he was a boy, but gave up almost immediately. These rebuking comments did not dissuade Sam. He intended to be the first to commit to the escape from traditional life. He planned on heading for abandoned land in the Catskills that was previously owned by his great-grandfather. The land is still marked with the Gribley name, and is waiting to be reclaimed. Sam sets out from home with nothing but a penknife, a ball of chord, an ax, $40, and flint and steel. He hitchhikes to the base of the Catskills and sets off to create his new life.

    My Side of the Mountain is a fascinating wilderness survival story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in wilderness survival or nature. The book is structured from Sam’s journal entries and narrations. The story follows him as he navigates the challenges of his new home in the Catskill forests. Sam discovers creative ways to provide for himself in the harsh environment. The book contains tons of engaging stories about Sam’s day-to-day life. Readers get to observe the fascinating strategies that Sam uses to hollow out a tree to use as a house. They get to read about how he forages for food, creates animal traps, and composes his own recipes. They follow him through the process of obtaining and training a wild hunting falcon. Aside from the survival techniques, the book has many heartwarming stories. Sam makes friends with the local animals and has many funny interactions with them. He also makes unlikely friendships with people who happen to stumble upon his hidden residence.

    In conclusion, My Side of the Mountain is a great book that I would highly recommend. It is a quick read, but very well written. While not a particularly suspenseful book, it will definitely grab your attention and make you want to read on. With central ideas of longing for a different life, and the appreciation of nature, this book is relatable to many people. After reading My Side of the Mountain, I guarantee that you will want to head down to the nearest mountain range and find your own tree to live in.



Comments

  1. LeorOctober 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM

    Great book review Luke. I liked how you explained the messages that the book has, for example looking for change in life. I think that you summarized the book very well, without giving away the whole plot and spoiling the book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ross KimmeNovember 14, 2021 at 5:31 PM

    Great book review. I read this book a while ago and this book review did a really good job of helping me remember it. I think it is a really good book. I agree with your point that it is not a particularly suspenseful but still is interesting.

    ReplyDelete

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