| | On the Far Side of the Mountain |  | Author: Jean Craighead George
Category: Book
Buy New: $15.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Media: Library Binding
Edition: Reprint
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 1439515808
EAN: 9781439515808
ASIN: 1439515808
Publication Date: August 11, 2008
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Amazon.com Review
Life in the wilderness has just become a lot thornier for young Sam Gribley. For the last two years he's been living in a hollowed-out tree in the Catskill Mountains, hunting and gathering his food supply and befriending the critters in his "neighborhood." Sam's peaceful existence is abruptly shattered when an environmental conservation officer confiscates his peregrine falcon, Frightful. To make matters worse, Sam's sister Alice, who has been living with him for the past year, has disappeared. This double blow quickly puts Sam on the trail to the far side of his mountain, pursuing a multifaceted mystery that, ultimately, will force him to make the biggest decision of his life. Thirty years after the publication of her Newbery Honor Book, My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George rewarded her many fans with an exciting sequel. This remarkable author of over 80 books and recipient of more than 20 literary awards (including the Newbery Medal for Julie of the Wolves) is a passionate advocate for the environment. Her knack for naturalist writing that crackles with life will have readers of all ages chomping at the bit for the third novel in her trilogy, Frightful's Mountain. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
Product Description
Two years ago, Sam ran away from New York City to live in the Catskill Mountains. Now his younger sister Alice has joined him and is quietly living in a tree house of her own nearby. Their peaceful life is shattered when a conservation officer confiscates Sam's falcon, Frightful, and Alice suddenly vanishes. Sam leaves his home to search for Alice, hoping to find Frightful, too. But the trail to the far side of the mountain may lead Sam into great danger.
"Surpasses the original in style and substance . . . This story [is] a jewel."
-Booklist
"George has outdone herself here."
-Kirkus Reviews
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| Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...
 A little more politics and a little less fun October 19, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
"My Side of the Mountain" My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)is a timeless classic that describes a young boy becoming one with nature. It is one of the rare stories that can appeal to both young and old. "On the Far Side of the Mountain" (OTFSOTM) is the sequel that takes place about a year later.
Amazon does a great job of capturing what the story is about so I will not go over the basics of the plot. However, "On the Far Side of the Mountain" is unable to recapture all of the original's charm. One of the problems is that the story is complicated and made messy - compared to the simple "Boy vs. Nature" conflict/theme of the original. OTFSOTM focuses less on "Boy vs Nature" and more on "Boy vs. Man" and the exploitation of the environment - you get the impression that Jean Craighead George is more intent on making a point about protecting endangered species and less on how Sam is able to enjoy his natural environment (which I found a powerful statement in the original). In fact, Sam focuses less on his love for his natural surroundings than his disdain for the ways of society - such as his refusal to eat at a restaurant.
Overall, I would still highly recommend OTFSOTM for both kids and adults. However, I do think that kids could learn a lesson on the need to protect animals and the environment. 4 stars
10 year old nephew loved it October 15, 2008
The book was ordered for my 10 yr old nephew who had read the previous books. He loved it!
A Classic Adventure Book...A Must Read December 20, 2007
Do you like wilderness and survival books? Then this is the book for you. The main character, Sam Gribly is 14 years old. In his first book of the series, MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, he ran away from home to live in the mountains. He successfully made it through a tough year. He had to build a shelter and catch food himself. Until later in the book he found a Peregrine Falcon that he named Frightful. In this book, Frightful was his main source for food. Frightful would catch him food. Alice, Sam's sister who is also his age, joined him on the mountain. She made her own tree house a little separated from Sam's house. She helped Sam build a watermill.
Later in this book, a police officer came to Sam's mountain and took Frightful from Sam. Frightful was a Peregrine Falcon which is a bird on the endangered birds' list and only a licensed falconer could own this bird. After Frightful was taken away, the officer took Sam's main food source away. Now Sam had to find a new way to catch food.
Alice traveled down the mountain on some days to meet with her friend from the first book, Mrs. Strawberry. She liked Mrs. Strawberry and Mrs. Strawberry also loved Alice. They became good friends. While Alice was on the bottom of the mountain she also stopped by a farmer's house. He had a pigpen and Alice loved pigs.
Sam woke up one day and Alice was gone. He thought she was just gathering berries or nuts or just visiting Mrs. Strawberry. She hadn't come back in three days. So Sam went to check her tree house to see if she was there. He found a note Alice wrote saying she was gone and not to worry she would be back soon. Well, Sam was indeed worried. He went down the mountain to ask Mrs. Strawberry and the farmer if they knew where Alice went, but they both had no idea. They both hadn't seen her in around three days. The farmer was so worried that they set off on a hike to find Alice. They later found out that she brought her pig. They found a couple compasses that gave clues to where Alice was going because they had a map and would look where Alice was going. They both knew she liked waterfalls so they found another compass and then looked on the map and found out that she was going to a waterfall. They got to the waterfall and found Alice's camp site but couldn't find Alice. You will have to read the book if you want to figure out if they ever find Alice or not.
On the Far Side of the Mountain October 10, 2007
Very good book, especially for young adults. Many lessons along with adventures. Not quite as good as My Side of the Mountain (by the same author), but pretty close. Well worth reading.
 LEARNING TO LET GO September 23, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This sequel to MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN takes up the story of Sam Gribley, living a wilderness existence by personal choice, two years later. Only he has been joined--to his amazement and displeasure--by his younger sister, Alice, who exhibits the family's pioneer spirit. As the book
opens Sam is devastated by the arrival of heartless Leon Longbridge, the local Conservation Officer, who confiscates Sam's beloved peregrine falcon, Frightful, for breeding in captivity.
Much of the story consists of Sam's tracking his independent sister who has taken it into her head to go off with her pet pig, Crystal. Demonstrating her woodland skills she plays their private game of "On The Track" with him, by leaving tantalizing clues re her destination. Sam enlists the aid of an older friend named Bando--a married man living in a rustic cabin nearby. The guys track girl and pig to distant wilderness areas. The story is enhanced by many pen and ink sketches and diagrams of woodland survival and colonial inventions, which make this book something of a reference manual for outdoorsmen.
The plot picks up amazing speed in the last chapters: Alice proves
a fearless and loyal sister to grieving Sam, while he must face the most difficult decision in his young life. Both siblings exhibit true character development in this YA book which makes use of diary entries as well as typical narrative to relate the story. Connecticut author Jean Craighead George presents a strong case for the preservation of endangered species, but can mankind both protect and responsibly enjoy these glorious birds of prey? Read the book to learn Sam's compromise.
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Wildlife, nature and the Environment
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