Paperback ©2019 | -- |
Wolves. Juvenile fiction.
Wolves. Fiction.
Hunting. Fiction.
Survival. Fiction.
Yellowstone National Park. Fiction.
A young female wolf, brought from Canada and released in Yellowstone National Park, explores the snowy land. Seeing no other wolf tracks, she roams alone, unsuccessfully hunting elk. She howls, but as she has no pack, no one answers. As the seasons change, she matures, and her hunting skills improve. She finds a mate and gives birth to a litter of four pups. After they emerge from the den and eat the meat brought by the male, the wolves howl together as a family pack. Based on actual wolves released in Yellowstone in 1995, the story personalizes the project, which restored the wolf population in the region. Markle's matter-of-fact tone creates empathy without anthropomorphism, while the use of present tense brings a sense of immediacy to the narrative. Using pencil, pen, and watercolor, Marks portrays the wolves within varied and beautiful landscapes. Pair this with Jean Craighead George's The Wolves Are Back (2008), which offers information on the new wolves of Yellowstone.
Horn Book (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)In lyrical, understated text, Markle describes the life of a female wolf introduced into Yellowstone National Park, her encounters with a male wolf, and their pups: the first naturally formed wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park. Watercolor, pen, and pencil illustrations reflect the compelling creatures and dramatic scenery. An appended author's note tells more about the real Leopold pack. Reading list, websites.
Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)As they did with their award-winning A Mother's Journey (2005), Markle and Marks bring the natural world close through the story of a single female animal—in this case, one of the grey wolves released into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. The young female chooses to live and hunt on her own for a year but eventually encounters a solitary male, with whom she mates and raises pups. The family becomes the first naturally formed pack in Yellowstone. The author manages to leave humankind out of the story; without a hint of anthropomorphism but with vivid, poetic language, she shows readers the wolves bound only by nature—"the young wolf stops, watching her prey escape / through a silver cloud of panted breath." Likewise, the illustrator's watercolors add drama and energy (but no gore), all the while keeping the wolves' animal nature paramount. The wolves in action are especially fine: The female pounces on the mouse in the snow; with her mate, she corners a buck. An excellent story for wolf-lovers and a welcome addition to elementary-school science shelves. (Informational picture book. 4-10) Â
School Library Journal (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)PreS-Gr 2 Markle imagines the life of a young wolf from Canada after she is relocated to Yellowstone as part of the effort to reintroduce the species to the area. The animal survives a year on her own, honing her hunting skills while she matures. After she finds a mate, the two hunt together until she settles into a den to give birth. The two adult wolves and four cubs become one of the successful family packs that have repopulated the park. Marks's watercolor illustrations capture the intelligence and strength of the predators. Although the story offers an interesting glimpse into the experiences of a pair of animals, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's When the Wolves Returned (Walker, 2008) and Jean Craighead George's The Wolves Are Back (Dutton, 2008) provide a broader picture by explaining the significance of wolves in the restoration of Yellowstone's natural balance. Markle's title could serve as a supplementary resource to those titles. Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
ALA Booklist (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Horn Book (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)
School Library Journal (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)
She grew up far away in Canada.
Then, along with her mother, she was trapped by humans and taken from the wolf pack that was her family to this place--to Yellowstone.
First she was penned up with her mother and a male wolf, a stranger.
Her mother accepted him. She didn't.
So when the pen was opened, the young female ran away alone.
Now she roams, like a castaway, in a land that is pure unknown.
Excerpted from Family Pack by Sandra Markle
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
A real-life story of adaptation and survival.
Acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle and celebrated artist Alan Marks team up for the fifth time in this fascinating real-life story of a wolf and her pack.
Years ago, an effort had been made to eliminate wolves from Yellowstone National Park. Recently, conservationists decided to reintroduce the animal to the area, relocating wolves from Canada. Family Pack introduces readers to Female 7 and Male 2, the founders of the Leopold wolf pack—the first naturally formed pack after the relocation effort.
Readers follow Female 7 as she sets out on her own upon her release to the 2.2-million-acre area that is Yellowstone. Without the comfort of her mother or other wolves, the young female grows and learns to feed, hunt, and survive in her new home. Eventually, she crosses paths with Male 2, and the wolves form a family of their own.
Back matter includes more information about wolves, a bibliography, and an author’s note about the Leopold pack and the importance of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone, restoring the natural balance.