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April 2010
Jean Craighead George
Brief Biography
Jean Craighead George was born into a family of naturalists. As a child she spent her weekends camping in the woods outside of Washington D.C. and her first pet was a turkey vulture. She has written over 100 books. In 1960, she was given a Newbery Honor for My Side of the Mountain and in 1973, she won the Newbery for her novel Julie of the Wolves. You can read more about Jean Craighead George at her official website: www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com.
My Side of the Mountain
Lots of kids think about running away from home, Sam Gribley does it. Running from his family's crowded New York City apartment all the way to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Living in a hollowed out tree with a hawk and a weasel, Sam uses his ingenuity to live off the land and face blizzards, hunters, loneliness and fear. Illustrated with George's sketches, this classic novel of survival in the wilderness and the desire for freedom is perhaps even more relevant in our crowded world of today than it was when it was published in 1959.
On the Far Side of the Mountain
Sam's adventures continue in this second novel of the Frightful trilogy. When a conservation officer confiscates his hawk, Frightful, Sam is so distraught that he doesn't realize that his sister Alice has left. His search for Alice and his attempt to reclaim Frightful take him to the far side of the mountain and forces him to make some of the most difficult decisions of his life.
Frightful's Mountain
The final book in the Frightful trilogy is told from Frightful's perspective as she tries to survive on her own.
Pocket Guide to the Outdoors
Written with her daughter, Twig C. George, this guide is based on the novel My Side of the Mountain. Full of illustrations, activities, and practical wilderness tips, this guide is an inspiration to naturalists of all ages. Learn how to build a shelter, start a fire, catch a fish, find water, track animals, navigate the stars, and much more.
The Cats of Roxville Station
Illustrated by Tom Pohrt
(One of The Children's Bookstore Staff's Favorite Novels of 2009)
This story of an abandoned cat joining a feral cat colony is a fascinating journey into the world of feral cats and the human-cat relationship. George manages to give the cats thoughts and language without anthropomorphizing them, so that readers can understand why cats do what they do. Tom Pohrt’s lovely black and white illustrations add an extra dimension to this text.
The Tarantula in My Purse and 172 Other Wild Pets
This collection of autobiographical stories is one of The Children's Bookstore Staff's all-time favorite books. From the humorous tale of a crow who stashed his stolen lunch money at the bank to the heartbreaking story of having to send away a vindictive one, this collection of true stories offers everyone a chance to experience the joys and sorrows of working and living with wild animals.
The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo: An Eco Mystery
Liza and her mother live in a tent in the Florida Everglades. Some people might find it strange to live outdoors but Liza loves the natural paradise with its tropical birds, exotic plants, and the majestic alligator Dajun. Her peaceful life is interrupted when a state official arrives with orders that Dajun must be killed because he frightens nearby people. Before the orders can be carried out, Dajun disappears and Liza is desperate to find him and save him before it's too late. Full of natural detail and fascinating characters the story is also an exciting mystery.
Julie of the Wolves
She is known as Miyax to her small Eskimo village and Julie to her friend in San Francisco. When her village becomes unsafe to her, Miyax runs away. She soon finds herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness without even food. Slowly she is accepted by a wolf pack and comes to love them as family. With their help and her father's teachings, she struggles to survive, but she can't remain in the wilderness forever. When she leaves the wolf pack, she must decide who she will be Miyax of the Eskimos or Julie of the Wolves.
Julie's story continues in Julie and Julie's Wolf Pack.
How To Talk to Your Cat, Illustrated by Paul Meisel
How to Talk to Your Dog, Illustrated by Sue Truesdell
In these two books, Jean Craighead George explains how cats and dogs communicate with each other, teaches you how to communicate with them in sound and body language and helps you to understand what dogs and cats are trying to tell you.
Some Other Books By Jean Craighead George
Picture Books
Novels
Non-Fiction
