Far North
By Monica Wyatt,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Popular adventure-survival book kids love.
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Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
Electrifying nonstop, realistic action as two teenage boys fight to survive the winter after their plane crashes in Canada's Northwest Territories. They ignore good advice and raft through a dangerous, icy river, winding up in a valley with no available food. After they tramp through the deadly cold to hunt, a grizzly steals their game. Can they beat the incredible odds?
Is It Any Good?
The breathtaking action in FAR NORTH never lets up, and the locations in the book really exist, including the cabin in Deadmen Valley. Gabe and Raymond don't rebel against authority, but they do make poor decisions. Anxious to avoid spending the viciously cold six-month winter in a sod teepee, they ignore the advice of an experienced elder and build a raft and sail off down the river, losing most of their food. However, they come to their senses and realize that the old man represents their only real chance for survival -- even though they can barely communicate with him.
Throughout their adventures, the two boys realize that their growing friendship means as much to them as their lives do. When they make it to safety, they honor Johnny Raven by speaking at a potlatch given in his memory. The story unites not only the two boys in friendship but also the younger and older generations. The book's length may intimidate reluctant readers at first, but once they start they'll enjoy it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about making difficult decisions. What kind of tough choices do the boys face? What kind of tough choices have you faced?
Book Details
- Author: Will Hobbs
- Genre: Adventure
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: William Morrow
- Publication date: January 1, 1996
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 14
- Number of pages: 216
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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