Frightful's Daughter

Oksi, a fledgling peregrine falcon, always insists on doing things her way. Through Oksi, children learn that, while handling situations differently from their parents can be risky, it's not automatically wrong. Oksi finds that experiencing life's challenges on her own is the best way of learning. Narrator Jeff Woodman presents Oksi's story in a calm, nonjudgmental voice, allowing listeners to form their own opinions of how well a given scenario is handled. His characterization of the falcons paints a vivid picture of each bird's personality and draws listeners into their precarious lifestyle. Woodman, for this brief span, is Oksi. His transformation is a gift for listeners. P.H.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2002
Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George extends the audience for My Side of the Mountain with Frightful's Daughter, a picture book starring a peregrine offspring of that novel's feathered heroine. When two of Frightful's three babies are stolen, Sam Gribley (Frightful's human buddy from the novel) captures Oksi for safekeeping, bringing her to his home deep in the forest. Daniel San Souci's watercolors portray the falcon's grace and the beauty of the natural setting.