Book Review-Illustrated Book Card
Name: Debora Brown
Title: The Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
Place: Arctic
Publisher: Puffin Books/Penguin Group
Publication Date: 2006
Edition: Reinforced Library Bound
Pages: 148
Special Features: pictures
Price:
ISBN: 0-14-240571-X
Genre: Adventure/Dog story

Background Information: A wealthy man, Judge Miller, lives on an enormous state in Santa Clara Valley in California in the year of 1897. Judge Miller has a huge dog named Buck. He is four years old, and Judge Miller family loves Buck since he was born on the estate. Buck ran the many acres of the huge estate, but the greedy caregiver saw an opportunity to make more money by selling Buck. During this time of the year, people were looking for gold in the northern region of Canada. The men needed strong dogs to pull their sleds, so Manuel, Judge Miller’s gardener, stole Buck. Manuel had a gambling problem, and he could not support his family. There was always a need for more money for him. Buck is kidnapped, beaten, and mistreated. Then he learned to get alone with the cruel violent men. Buck has to learn how to pull the sled by stopping at “ho” and go at “mush”. Will Buck survive by not getting into a fight, or will he be killed like the other dog Curly? Since he has lived on an enormous estate, “Will Buck be able to survive the wild?”

Buck is a strong sheep type dog and he lives on a huge ranch. Buck is kidnapped by the gardener, Manuel, who
works for Judge Miller. He is sold to some evil violent men. They want nothing but a strong dog to pull their sled in the northern part of Canada. The men pound Buck with a club several times, and Buck learns to calm down. Buck has to learn how to live in the wild. Buck becomes strong and he learns how to find food, and he is the king of the wild.

This book is very interesting because it has some sad points, but it also has some great points. For example, Buck tries to fight back several times, but he is stopped each time. “The Call of the Wild” can be used as an instructive tool. This book could be integrated with reading subject. Some of the issues the author presents are crime, cruelty, and death of animals. The author addresses these issues by making Buck a killing machine. Buck has to deal with the other wolves that are roaming the forest. I agree that Buck had to fight, but he really was a good dog. Although he fought the Yeehats Indians, he showed them how brave he could be. This book could be related to “Autobiography of My Dead Brother” because both of the books deal with killing. The author had to persuade the reader that Buck was able to transform from the life on the farm to the wild. This book can be related to Walter Myers “Monster” because there is crime in it as well as in “The Call of the Wild.” This book confirms that most authors write about the true crimes of their times.

Connection to texts:
• “The Call of the Wild” could be integrated with history and reading classes with the animal themes.
• Literature Circle could be used in reading class. The students must have assigned roles.

“The Call of the Wild” is a great book to read because it has so many different adventures happening in the story. This book would be excellent for young readers. The young reader could connect with dogs. Since some of the young readers love dogs, they could feel what’s it’s like for someone to lose a dog. Crime is always in our environment, and it is also in the books that we read. Some of the men are so cruel in the story, but there are some men who are nice. The main point the story is about is how a dog with moral and good character, loving and kind turns into a killing machine. This is a dog that is able to defend himself in the wild. When Buck kills the different people/animals in the book, if you cannot stand violence, this is not a book to read.

"The Call of the Wild the Graphic Novel" is the graphic novel version of Jack London's "Call of the Wild." It tell the story of a large, strong-willed dog named Buck. He is stolen from his home where he is spoiled and well-treated and sold several times as a sled dog. This novel describes his journey and his struggles until he finally finds happiness when he answers the call of his wild nature.

One connection that can be taught from this book is the abuse and treatment of animals. Many animals are often mistreated by their owners. This book can give its young readers a sense that an animal is something that has feelings and instincts and they should be respected. Secondly, students could read this graphic novel and then compare it to the actual novel. The can compare and contrast these two versions and see the similarities, and they can see what differences there are in the way Buck's story is told.

I liked this book very much. I am a fan of the original novel. This graphic version brings life to that novel and really helps to get the reader involved in Buck's life. I do not know if I would let very young students read this because it is too graphic, I think, for readers below sixth grade. However, any student older than that, I think, would really enjoy it. ( )

I remember reading the novel in eighth grade and this is a good manga adaption. I didn't like the artwork at first but it seems to fit with the theme of Buck coming back to his primal instincts. I'm pleased with the fact that they kept all of the original text; like in the Romeo and Juliet manga I read a while back. My favorite part would have to be when he met John Thornton, and my least favorite part when John passed. But his parting was not in vane. In his own way, John gave Buck a new life and freedom. ( )

Graphic novel of the Jack London story in paperback.