81 pages 2 hours read

Jean Craighead George

My Side of the Mountain

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1959

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

810L

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Classic Fiction

Themes

Natural World: Animals

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Society: Community