Common Sense Media Review
Thrilling, violent tale of dog's survival in 1890s Alaska.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the book offers an engaging and vividly-drawn world that captures young readers' imaginations, showcasing themes of survival and transformation through a canine protagonist. However, many reviews also highlight its troubling depictions of violence and animal abuse, leading to mixed feelings regarding its suitability for younger audiences, with some parents strongly advising against it for sensitive readers.
- engaging writing
- survival themes
- violence concerns
- animal abuse
- reader maturity
Summarized with AI
Based on 65 kid reviews
Kids say the book contains various opinions, with some praising its exploration of survival through Buck's perspective and powerful themes of determination, while others criticize the graphic violence and animal cruelty, deeming it unsuitable for younger readers. Many reviewers note the emotional depth of the story, although several express frustration with its pacing and thematic content, with some calling it boring or overly violent.
- varied opinions
- survival themes
- graphic violence
- emotional depth
- pacing criticism
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In Jack London's THE CALL OF THE WILD, family dog Buck is kidnapped and transported to the Yukon in Canada to be a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush. At first Buck tries to fight back, but he's soon beaten into submission. As he passes through a succession of owners, he finds that ancient instincts from his wolf ancestors are awakening within him, helping him survive in the brutal wilderness of the North. Buck becomes a leader and a formidable hunter who's attuned to his senses and the wilderness around him.
Is It Any Good?
Jack London's muscular and poetic novel is a thrilling adventure story that explores the relationship of dogs with humans, and dogs with the natural world. As Buck increasingly heeds the instincts of his wolf ancestors, he becomes both more alive and more truly himself. However, not every dog in the story has the power to survive in the wild, and many of the humans are ill-suited for the harsh conditions they face. By exploring the brutality of an untamed environment through the eyes of a dog, London reveals much about human and animal behavior. The Call of the Wild may not be well-suited for sensitive young animal lovers, but it's a powerful story that makes readers think.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how attitudes toward animals have changed in the century since The Call of the Wild was written. How are animals treated in the book? How would this book be received if it were written today?
How do you feel about the way Native Americans are portrayed in this novel?
This book is written with a third-person narrator, but from Buck's point of view. Why do you think Jack London used the dog's perspective? How did this help the author tell the story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Animals
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Larousse Kingfisher Chambers Inc.
- Publication date : January 1, 1903
- Number of pages : 208
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate