Julie of the Wolves - Softcover

Jean Craighead George

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0590134701 ISBN 13: 9780590134705

Publisher: Scholastic, 1972

Synopsis

Julie/Miyax is an Eskimo girl torn between modern Alaska and the old Eskimo tradition. Left with her father, Kapugen, after losing her mother; Julie became intelligent, observant, and one with the Arctic tundra. Years later, her father went out on a seal hunt one day, only for bits of his boat to be found washed ashore and no sign of him. Miyax was sent to live with Aunt Martha, a distant and cold woman. She was told that at the age of 13, she could leave her Aunt's house if she wed a boy named Daniel; Miyax did just that. However, when she arrived, she realized that Daniel was feeble minded. Caught in an unbearable situation, she runs away, in hope of leaving to stay with her pen-pal in San Francisco, California. When Miyax ran away, she realized she would need to find a way to maintain good health. She learned how to communicate with the wolves to receive food, water, and family: all the necessities. However, when a chance to return to modern Eskimo society appears, she is torn. Will she be Miyax of the Eskimos, or Julie of the wolves?

About this title

Review

Miyax, like many adolescents, is torn. But unlike most, her choices may determine whether she lives or dies. At 13, an orphan, and unhappily married, Miyax runs away from her husband's parents' home, hoping to reach San Francisco and her pen pal. But she becomes lost in the vast Alaskan tundra, with no food, no shelter, and no idea which is the way to safety. Now, more than ever, she must look hard at who she really is. Is she Miyax, Eskimo girl of the old ways? Or is she Julie (her "gussak"-white people-name), the modernized teenager who must mock the traditional customs? And when a pack of wolves begins to accept her into their community, Miyax must learn to think like a wolf as well. If she trusts her Eskimo instincts, will she stand a chance of surviving? John Schoenherr's line drawings suggest rather than tell about the compelling experiences of a girl searching for answers in a bleak landscape that at first glance would seem to hold nothing. Fans of Jean Craighead George's stunning, Newberry Medal-winning coming-of-age story won't want to miss Julie (1994) and Julie's Wolf Pack (1998). (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From the Back Cover

Faced with the prospect fo a disagreeable arranged marriage or a journey across the barren Alaskan tundra, 13-year-old Miyax chooses the tundra. She finds hersilf caught between the traditional Eskimo ways and the modern ways of the whites. Miyax, or Julie as her mpen pal Amy calls her, sets out alone to visit Amy in San Francisco, a world far away from Eskimo culture and the frozen land of Alaska.

During her long and aruous journey, Miyax comes to appreciate the value of her Eskimo heritage, learns about herself, and wins the friendship of a pack of wolves. After learning the language of teh wolves and slowly earning their trust, Julie becomes a member of the pack.

Since its first publication, Julie of the Wolves, winner of the 1973 Newbery Medal, has found its way into the hearts of millions of readers.

Faced with the prospect of a disagreeable arranged marriage or a journey acoss the barren Alaskan tundra, 13-year-old Miyax chooses the tundra. She finds herself caught between the traditional Eskimo ways and the modern ways of the whites. Miyax, or Julie as her pen pal Amy calls her, sets out alone to visit Amy in San Francisco, a world far away from Eskimo culture and the frozen land of Alaska.

During her long and arduous journey, Miyax comes to appreciate the value of her Eskimo heritage, learns about herself, and wins the friednship of a pack of wolves. After learning the language of the wolves and slowly earning their trust, Julie becomes a member of the pack.

Since its first publication, Julie of The Wolves,winner of thr 1973 Newbery Medal, has found its way into the hearts of millions of readers.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1972
• ISBN 10: 0590134701
• ISBN 13: 9780590134705
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 170