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 16 parent reviews
Based on 63 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a gripping yet challenging read, showcasing Buck's brutal journey through the Yukon during the gold rush, packed with intense violence and animal cruelty that some readers find distressing. While many praise its powerful themes of survival and the bond between humans and animals, others criticize its pace and graphic content, making it unsuitable for younger readers due to the high level of violence and mature themes.
- intense violence
- powerful themes
- strong character development
- mixed reviews
- age recommendation
Summarized with AI
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
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