My Side of the Mountain

"My Side of the Mountain" tells the compelling story of Sam Gribley, a twelve-year-old boy who, overwhelmed by his large family in a cramped New York City apartment, decides to run away to his great-grandfather's abandoned farm in the Catskill Mountains. With only a penknife, a ball of cord, and some flint and steel, Sam embarks on an incredible journey of self-sufficiency. He learns to forage for food, build a treehouse, train a peregrine falcon named Frightful, and befriend a weasel. The book details his challenges and triumphs as he masters wilderness survival skills, eventually finding a balance between his love for the wild and his need for human connection. It's an inspiring read for children aged 8-12, perfect for those interested in nature, adventure, and independence.

Terribly unhappy in his family's crowded New York City apartment, Sam Gribley runs away to the solitude-and danger-of the mountains, where he finds a side of himself he never knew.