My Side of the Mountain
By Jean Craighead George Age Range- 10 - 12 years "My Side of the Mountain" follows a young boy's adventure living alone in the wilderness, learning survival skills and finding freedom.
What's the Story
Sam Gribley, a 12-year-old boy, leaves his crowded New York City apartment to live in the Catskill Mountains, inspired by his great-grandfather's stories. He adapts to life in the wilderness, building a home in a hollowed-out tree and surviving off the land. Sam befriends various woodland creatures and learns valuable survival skills from a local librarian. Despite facing challenges like harsh weather and loneliness, Sam finds joy and fulfillment in his solitary life. Eventually, he gains a deeper understanding of nature and himself, realizing that true happiness comes from living in harmony with the natural world.
Key Points from the Book
01.
Sam's Adventure in the Wilderness: Sam Gribley, a resourceful young boy, runs away from his city home to live in the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains, where he dreams of living off the land and connecting with nature.
02.
Survival Skills: Sam learns essential survival skills such as finding food, building shelter, and making fire, using the knowledge from books and his own ingenuity to thrive in the wilderness.
03.
Animal Companions: Sam befriends a peregrine falcon named Frightful and adopts a young raccoon named Gus, forming special bonds with these animals as he navigates his new life in the wilderness.
04.
Challenges and Solitude: Living alone in the mountains, Sam faces challenges and solitude, but he embraces the freedom and independence of his lifestyle while learning to appreciate nature's beauty.