BY DAVID GLENN

Fellowship & Fairydust staff member David Glenn shares his reviews of young adult novels, many nominated for or awarded the Thomas Newberry Award. In this first post in the series, Glenn reviews novels featuring animals.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (Island of the Blue Dolphins #2)

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1960. Hardcover, 177 pages.

Karana lives peacefully with her people when a group of people called the Aleuts come to their home, the Island of the Blue Dolphins. They seek to hunt the local otters for their skins, and offer payment. Sadly, tragedy strikes when the deal fails to fall through. When the opportunity to leave the island comes, the people have to take it. However, Karana abandons ship when she realizes her brother was left behind. Despite her efforts, she ends up all alone and ends up having to work to stay alive on the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

I was surprised to learn this was based off a true story. It was interesting to read about a struggle for survival that was based off fact instead of fantasy. The island sounds like a nice place to visit, but the author shows why living alone there is easier said than done. The story does get a little dry in places, but nobody said staying alive was exciting. It was encouraging to see her learn to make tools and shelter to keep herself going, and learning to find compassion and mercy in her heart instead of anger. If you want a story in the spirit of Robinson Crusoe, this is the book for you.

I will warn that if you don’t like seeing people get abandoned or killed, then this book has that. However, it’s not graphic. There are also moments when wild animals threaten the main character, but that’s nature’s way. What is important is how she reacts to it, and learns to stay alive.

Parents and teachers can use this book to help emphasize how being self-reliant can help us survive hard times, and how forgiving others can lead to beautiful friendships.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (Julie #1)

Harper, 1972. Hardcover, 170 pages.

The lands of Alaska are not an easy place to live, but for Miyak it’s a way of life. The daughter of a proud Eskimo, she was taught various skills her ancestors used to live in the northern wilderness. Miyak also goes by Julie as influences from the south creep into her people’s lives. Eventually disaster strikes and she goes into an arranged marriage that she later flees from. However, Miyak quickly realizes she must gain the help of a pack of wolves or perish in this unforgiving environment.

As someone who lived in Alaska for several years this hit home for me. I loved reading about the adventures of an Inuit, which makes this story stand out in my opinion. It also gave a view on the changing world as more influences came from the USA, and we were left with a bittersweet ending. Seeing the events out of order was a little strange, but the story is well written and worth the read.
A word of warning, nudity is briefly mentioned a couple of times, but it’s nothing to worry about. Just a sentence or two, and no detail. However, wives are beaten as a way to show the bad nature of some characters, and possibly to emphasize the harshness of the environment. Animals are hunted and killed, but that’s how people had to survive during this time period.

One lesson I got from this story is we should try to honor our ancestors. This story also serves as a reminder that time causes life to change, and that will require us to adapt to what is thrown our way.

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

Candlewick Press, 2001. Hardcover, 144 pages.

Rob Horton is living a life of pain and misery that he actually enjoys. From being bullied and beaten to, at, and from school, to being ostracized and ignored by teachers, and yet he insists he’s happy. However, one day Rob finds something in the woods behind the motel he and his father live at: a tiger. Seeing the majestic beast, along with an unexpected new friend, helps set Rob on the path to heal the wounds he’s been carrying for years.

This book was really short and fast paced which is nice for people who need time to finish books. I admit it was a nice change of pace from the book lengths I normally read. It was also hard to believe someone would allow so much pain to happen to themselves, but it could be meant to symbolize how trapped he is. The story is a simple one that I believe tackles complex issues, but I’d recommend teachers and parents reading it first and then deciding if kids should read it.

As always there are things to be aware of. The words “hell” and “damn” appear at least once, as does the s-word. The names of certain deities are invoked at least 4 times. As mentioned before the main character is beaten, and another gets into a fight. Later their knuckles are described as bloody.

The version of the book I read included discussion questions, but this book also clearly demonstrates the importance of communication. We need to be honest with each other and ourselves. This story can also be used to illustrate why it is bad to bury our emotions and problems instead of facing them.

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Shiloh Quartet #1)

Atheneum Press, 1991. Hardcover, 144 pages.

Marty Preston is living a normal life in West Virginia with his family. However, the day he comes across a lost beagle his life changes. Naming the dog Shiloh, Marty is heartbroken when he learns his new friend belongs to Judd Travers, a mean neighbor who Marty believes bad things about, and is taken back to him. When Shiloh runs away again Marty finds the strength and courage to do what needs to be done to save the beagle from a life of pain and abuse, and give him a home of love.

It was nice to reread this book after having read it in class years ago, and it’s easy to see why this story won the Newbery. Most people can relate to Marty’s predicament with Shiloh, knowing that something is wrong but feeling unable to do anything about it. The love that grows between him and the beagle can be felt as the words convey those emotions to the reader. I’m the end I found myself wanting to return to the story and reread their time together.

There are some points that parents and teachers might want to know before reading this book. Marty believes Judd abuses his dogs, and the latter does boast about kicking his animals though it’s not shown in the story. Some mild profanities pop up, but they do invoke the name of Jesus several times. However, I think this is to show they had a religious upbringing without telling, and it doesn’t come across as profanity. There is a tense moment where someone gets hurt by another dog, and the wounds are depicted as serious. There is a moment where Marty recalls seeing a dead dog that had been shot, and another animal is killed in front of his eyes.

Still, parents and teachers can use this book to illustrate how we can bring light and joy into the lives of others. It can also be used to show how lying doesn’t help solve our problems and can hurt our relationships with others. It’s also important to remember we have a duty and responsibility to treat animals with love and respect.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Candlewick Press, 2003. Hardcover, 276 pages.

Despereaux is born to a French mouse living with mice in the castle of the kingdom of Dor. Immediately everyone knew he was different, from having his eyes open to having big ears (but they don’t cause problems like they did with Dumbo). Despite his family trying to teach him to be a mouse Despereaux proves that is not the life for him. Also there is a rat who seeks light, but after causing problems for the royal family his heart becomes consumed with seeking vengeance. Manipulating a serving girl, the rat will steal away the Princess Pea unless Despereaux can stop him.

I admit, I saw the movie before I read the book, and I have to say this is clearly the superior of the two. I like how the narrator keeps speaking to the reader, and it was interesting to have three different stories interweaving with each other to explain how we got to point B from point A. While some of the conflicts do get resolved a little easily, I understand this story is written for younger audiences and still found myself entertained,

Harsh unfair judgements are passed in this book, which some readers might not like. I say they help set the tension for the story. The darkness described is a little unsettling, and at times feels like an entity of its own. Some animals are harmed, and the remains of dead animals and people are described.
Parents and teachers can use this book to discuss with children how when we forgive others we invite light into our hearts and others. Anyone can be a hero if they choose, which is a lesson kids will love. One of my favorite takeaways is how stories can help us face the challenges we face.