81 pages • 2 hours read
My Side of the Mountain
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
Catskills, New York • 1950s
1959
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
Super Short Summary
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George follows Sam Gribley, a boy who leaves his crowded New York apartment to live off the land in the Catskill Mountains. Narrated through Sam's journal, the book details his challenges and triumphs in nature, including building a tree house, training a falcon named Frightful, befriending animals, and learning self-sufficiency.
Adventurous
Serene
Contemplative
Inspirational
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
86,095 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain is praised for its engaging portrayal of wilderness survival and coming-of-age themes. Readers appreciate the vivid descriptions and resourceful protagonist. However, some find the plot slow-moving and the depiction of survival somewhat idealized. Overall, it’s valued for its immersive, nature-centric story.
Who Should Read My Side of the Mountain?
Readers who enjoy My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George typically relish nature, adventure, and self-sufficiency. Fans of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen or Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell will appreciate its themes of wilderness survival and coming-of-age. Suitable for middle-grade to young adult readers, it captivates outdoor enthusiasts and independents alike.
86,095 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Frightful
Frightful
A peregrine falcon that Sam captures and trains, forming a strong companionship with him and assisting him in hunting.
Mr. Gribley
Mr. Gribley
Sam's father, a former sailor who works on the docks in New York, supportive of Sam's adventurous spirit, and visits him in the mountains.
Bando
Bando
A college English teacher whom Sam befriends after initially mistaking him for a bandit; he appreciates Sam's efforts to live in nature and becomes a close friend.
192
Novel • Fiction
Catskills, New York • 1950s
1959
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
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