Book: My Side of the Mountain, written & illustrated by Jean Craighead George

Juvenile fiction, ages 9-12. Paperback, published 1988. "The classic story of wilderness survival." This pre-owned copy is gently loved. The cover shows minor cosmetic wear and a crease along the back, but the binding is tight, all pages intact. No writing, no stains. "Every kid thinks about running away but few get farther than the end of the block. Young Sam Gribley keeps going--all the way to the Catskill Mountains. There he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with falcon and weasel companions. In a spellbinding, touching, funny account, Sam learns to live off the land, and grows up a little in the process. He whittles fishhooks and befriends raccoons--even as blizzards, hunters, loneliness, and fear all battle to drive Sam back to city life. But his desire for adventure, freedom, and independence stays strong through to a surprise ending. Jean George is the author of more than 80 children's books." At age five I ran away and got no farther than the front door before I realized I had no place to go. Maybe that's one reason this book enchanted me as a pre-teen. How I longed to live in nature, surround myself with animals, get away from jerks and traffic and school and rules, and find my own food! Make my own way! It would have been a complete disaster because I grew up in desert country and also hated fish, but boy howdy did that dream stay with me--well into adulthood. Somehow we acquired two copies of this title, so this one needs a new young devotee. 🙂🥾🦉🌄