In the Valley of the Grizzly - Softcover

Ferrell, Ed

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0882407708 ISBN 13: 9780882407708

Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books, 2011

Synopsis

This gripping wilderness survival tale grabs young readers at the first sputtering of the small plane engine and does not let go.  Fifteen year-old Ben Paul’s dream trip to the wilderness with his Tlingit grandfather quickly turns into a nightmare when their plane makes a forced landing on a lake hundreds of miles from anywhere and right in the heart of an angry grizzly’s territory. They survive the landing but that is the end of their good luck. For fans of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, this book delivers the same powerful, page-turning, scalp-tingling adventure.

"If you go down in this country, you won't get out." Ben worried as he looked out of the bush plane window into the northern wilderness below. This adventure story begins with his plane crashing deep in the Canadian wilderness. Trapped in the wilds, Ben's survival seems possible only with his Grandpa there to teach him the skills of their Tlingit ancestors. But Grandpa's heart gives out, leaving Ben alone. To stay alive in this brutal land, Ben must teach himself the old ways. He also gets some unexpected help from a wild wolf to help outwit a threatening grizzly bear.

About this title

About the Author

Ed Ferrell called Alaska home for most of his adult life, the perfect spot for an avid outdoorsman. Ferrell's writing reflected his lifelong interest in outdoor adventure and history.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Dan’s shout interrupted his thoughts. “Look! A grizzly.”

Ben was strained forward trying to see where he was pointing.

“Hold on, I’ll swing around to your side” Dan banked the plane and made another pass along the mountain. ‘There, at the edge of the water.”

“I see him! I see him!”

The grizzly stood near a glacier pool, magnificent blue-grey animal, its silky fur flowing in the wind.

With awe in his voice, Grandpa said, “He is the Spirit Grandfather of all bears, Bennie.”

“Looks like he knows he’s the top dog around here. Or in this case, the top bear.” Dan laughed at his own joke.

“Dan, it is best not to laugh at Hootz. It shows disrespect.” Grandpa had a scowl on his face.

But before Dan could answer, the engine sputtered and backfired. Then it was dead silent. No thrum at all.

Did the engine just quit?  Startled, Ben shot a look at Dan. He was fiddling with the controls.

Thundering back to like, the motor throbbed again with its steady beat. Ben’s pulse was pounding so loud in his ears that he could barely hear it, but he relaxed his grip on the armrests.

Nothing to worry about. Probably happens all the time.  Dan doesn’t look worried.

Then the backfiring again.

Dan gripped the yoke with both hands. He was starting to look worried now. “Guys, I’m gonna get us some altitude.”  Pushing the throttle and pulling back on the yoke, they climbed up and out of the valley.  Several times, Dan leaned over to look out Ben’s window.

“What are you looking for?” Ben asked, hoping Dan and Grandpa couldn’t hear the fear in his voice.

“A place to put this bird down. She’s not running right. Keep your eyes open for a lake.”

Ben’s throat tightened. He looked back at Grandpa, but he was staring out the window.

Ben stared out the window, too.

Edition details

• Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0882407708
• ISBN 13: 9780882407708
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184