The Call of the Wild

Gr 7 Up—Jack London's classic story of survival in the harsh landscape of the Yukon is expertly brought to life by Jeff Daniels's narration. The story of four-year-old Buck, a shepherd mix, is an exciting adventure story that is still relevant more than 100 years after its first publication. Buck, stolen off a train in California, finds himself in Alaska, where he is savagely beaten by a man in a red sweater. Soon he is sold to a team of prospectors who are part of Alaska's Gold Rush. Buck quickly learns that to survive in the unforgiving climate of the north, he must obey and conform to his masters' wishes. Daniels reads the tale with compassion and empathy for Buck's plight, giving a pitch-perfect performance. When necessary, he adds strength and power to Buck's thoughts and actions, especially in scenes where he must exert his leadership over the other sled dogs.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN