Dogsong – By Gary Paulsen

Hello again, Jared.

After what happened with Tracker, I was a little wary about reading more by Mr. Paulsen, but this book has done a lot to alleviate that.

dogsong.jpgTitleDogsong
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, the Arctic, Survival
Synopsis: Something is bothering Russel Susskit. He hates waking up to the sound of his father’s coughing, the smell of diesel oil, the noise of snow machines starting up. Only Oogruk, the shaman who owns the last team of dogs in the village, understands Russel’s longing for the old ways and the songs that celebrated them. But Oogruk cannot give Russel the answers he seeks; the old man can only prepare him for what he must do alone. Driven by a strange, powerful dream of a long-ago self and by a burning desire to find his own song, Russel takes Oogruk’s dogs on an epic journey of self-discovery that will change his life forever.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for teens.

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Dogsong – By Gary Paulsen

Lord of the Flies – By William Golding

Hey Jared,

With the recent discussions about the possibility of an all-female movie based on this book, I figured I should actually read it. Other than a couple of excerpts I somehow managed to make it through school without sampling this little bit of twisted horror.

lotf2.pngTitle: Lord of the Flies
Author: William Golding
Genre: Fiction, Survival,
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Deserted island, Survival, Social Commentary
Synopsis: When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boys attempts to establish control as the reality – and brutal savagery – of their situation sets in. The boys’ struggle to find a way of existing in a community with no fixed boundaries invites readers to evaluate the concepts involved in social and political constructs and moral frameworks. Ideas of community, leadership, and the rule of law are called into question as the reader has to consider who has a right to power, why, and what the consequences of the acquisition of power may be.
Recommendation: Recommended for teens. Violence and murder. Reader discretion is advised.

–  – Spoilers – –

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Lord of the Flies – By William Golding

Brian’s Saga – Book 5: Brian’s Hunt – By Gary Paulsen

How’s it going Jared?

Finding decent covers for these books has been disturbingly hard. It’s like they don’t want people to see them or use them in their reviews. A good cover image can really sell a book, so it seems counter-intuitive to make them hard to find.

brianshuntTitle: Brian’s Hunt
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 5
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction, Survival
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Canada
Synopsis: We find Brian still in the Canadian wilderness, picking up right where we left him.
Recommendation: Perfect for Teens. This book is recommended, but note that this book assumes that the events of all 4 previous books took place.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 5: Brian’s Hunt – By Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen

Jared,

I can’t help myself. There’s something about these books that draw me in. I really need to get around to finding more survival books because I’m running out.

briansreturn.pngTitle: Brian’s Return
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 4
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction, Survival
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Canada
Synopsis: Brian is having trouble integrating into “normal” life after his ordeals in the Canadian wilderness. His thoughts are continually pulled to the events he’s experienced and a sense of something miss. Something he left behind out there.
Recommendation: Perfect for Teens. Highly recommend this book, but note that this book assumes that the events of all 3 previous books took place.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen