Parents' Guide to

The Call of the Wild

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Thrilling, violent tale of dog's survival in 1890s Alaska.

Book Jack London Animals 1903
The Call of the Wild Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 16 parent reviews

mayaderen
mayaderen Adult
January 13, 2012
age 18+

Makes Abusing Animals Seem Normal

Terrible story about animal abuse and killing that I will never condone, no matter how much people try to pass it off as "classic". In what way is this good? It's disgusting.

This title has:

Too much violence
2 people found this helpful.
kellybryson
kellybryson Adult
October 23, 2019
age 12+

Excellent

As a teacher, I have taught this novel for several years. It's an excellent way to teach about survival, and humanity. It's also a good tool to teach about the negatives of violence, racism, and sexism, as many of these topics were viewed very differently back in the late 1800's to early 1900's. I am disappointed that Common Sense Media doesn't mention that the word ni**er is used when referring to a plant in the region, and one of John Thronton's dog's name is Nig, who happens to be a black dog. Also, calling two characters "half-breeds" is racist by today's standards. This should all be accounted for in the review.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 16 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (16):
Kids say (61):

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

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