Have you ever wanted to run away from the city? Well, this review is about Sam Gribley who does just that. In the book, My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, Sam lives in a very large family. He also has the burden of living in the very crowded city of New York. Sam loves the outdoors but certainly not in New York. So, Sam decides to runaway to the Catskill Mountains. He is now forcing himself to survive on the little that he has.
Sam Gribley is a smart 15-year-old boy who hates New York. He has a larger family than most of his friends. He thinks that his life would be better in the woods. Sam then decides that he is going to run away. His father overhears Sam?s bright idea to runaway and tells him that he wouldn?t last a week. His dad?s words push Sam to survive in the woods for a least a month.
Now Sam has runaway to the Catskill Mountains in search of the old Gribley land. He soon finds the land, which is roughly outlined by a stone border. Sam finds a big tree and hollows it out and makes it his home. As the summer passes, Sam has learned how to smoke the fish that he catches, store nuts, start a fire, and make traps. His new surroundings are starting to become familiar. He basically has the whole mountain to himself.
Sam finds streams, apple trees, and berry patches where he can easily get to from his tree house. Sam has been living well until the storm hits. Will he make it through the storm? If he does, will he make it through the winter? He hasn?t even thought about gathering food and firewood for the winter yet. With only a penknife, a ball of cord, an ax, $40 dollars, and some flint and steel, Sam must survive. This is an excellent book for all ages. This is one of the most adventurous books that I have read, and I highly recommend it.
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