The Wolf's Boy

August 8, 2016
The drive to survive propels this tense historical novel, set in prehistoric times, about the friendship between a wolf and a boy. Kai is left to the wolves after being born with a clubfoot; instead of attacking the child, the wolves nurture Kai until his mother finds him and brings him back to their people's village. The narrative resumes as the artistically talented Kai, now 12, struggles to find purpose in a society that forbids him to hunt or handle weapons because he is believed to be "tabat" (cursed). Kai's challenges escalate when he finds a wolf cub, Uff, and with great reservations his parents allow him to raise her. Beckhorn (Wind Rider) deftly sketches canine behavior, the bullying Kai suffers, and the oppressive suspicion of his people. A tragic accident leads Kai to exile himself, forcing him into dangerous, uncharted territory where he meets an "Ice Man," discovers cave paintings, learns to hunt, and finds true confidence. This strong adventure with a memorable central relationship offers insight into the beginnings of mankind's long history with dogs. Ages 8â12. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House.

Starred review from April 15, 2016
Sometime in prehistory, a crippled boy and his wolf companion face coming-of-age challenges.Twelve-year-old Kai was not supposed to live. Born with a crippled foot, he would be a burden to his community, so his father left the infant Kai near a wolf den. Instead of killing him, though, the wolves nurture him. When Kai's mother discovers her infant is still alive, she brings him back to the family, where he grows up bullied and considered cursed. One day, Kai brings home a weak, motherless wolf pup to raise--an unheard-of event. Beckhorn skillfully explores the early beginnings of the human-wolf interaction that led to modern-day dogs in heartwarming scenarios that show the growing bond between Kai and the pup, Uff. But when Uff is threatened by the community's leader, Kai and Uff set out to try to survive on their own in the territory of the feared Ice Men. Painting her prehistoric world with now-extinct animals, pristine landscapes, and descriptions of survival techniques that will fascinate readers, Beckhorn also makes it an accessible one by giving Kai the fears and doubts of many adolescents searching for their roles in life. As Kai faces challenges, he comes to believe in his unique talents and, ultimately, in himself.This bracing, well-told story, laced with themes of self-responsibility, compassion, and honor, is both vital and nourishing. (Historical fiction. 9-14)

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Starred review from May 1, 2016

Gr 4-7-Kai was born with a club foot and should not have lived. His mother left him with the yellow wolf mother, who had two cubs of her own, believing this was certain death for her young baby. Instead, the wolf mother nurtured Kai, and one day his human mother returned to the den to reclaim the baby she left for dead. Now, Kai is ridiculed and tormented by the other boys, including his older brother Sen. They call him "Wolfboy." He longs to join the hunt, but tradition forbids him from even touching any of the weapons. Kai often finds himself back in the company of the yellow wolves, the only place he feels truly at home. When he happens upon a cub in need, Kai decides to take the tiny creature back to his takka and nurse her back to health. With his father's approval, Kai keeps the cub and names her Uff. The two become instant companions. But as Uff grows, she becomes more threatening. When a terrible accident leaves Sen scarred, Kai knows that he must leave for good, embarking on a dangerous journey into the North. Beckhorn weaves together a striking account of survival and an engaging look into how the wolf became such an integral part of human life. Set in prehistoric times, Kai's story is based on modern discoveries in France, where fossilized footprints of a boy and a canine were found walking side by side.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

13iamgroot - This was a great story, not exactly my normal kind of book......but it had a good message, which is why I liked it. This book is about a boy named Kai, who was marked upon birth with a crippled leg. Everyone in his tribe thinks that he is cursed, so they shun and make fun of him. He isn't allowed to do many things that normal boys his age get to do, like hunt with a keerta (a special weapon that is basically a spear) so he doesn't have any friends. It is very fortunate when he finds companionship in a tiny wolf pup that he rescued, who names herself Uff, based on the sound she makes. But this just causes people to think he is even weirder, and Uff causes lots of trouble and is always hungry. In order to keep Uff he learns to make traps since he can't hunt himself, and this was working out, at least for a little while. Then there was a big turn of events and Kai had to leave his home on an adventure of his own where he proves to himself that he can do all sorts of things even with a crippled leg. Kai finds a new friend, learns skills, defies boundaries, breaks barriers, and accomplishes many things on his own quest to figure out who he truly is. The message that this book portrays is very inspiring and I will always remember it, I especially loved Uff, she was so cute! I recommend this book to middle school readers who like realistic adventure fiction and generally great reads.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* As she did with Wind Rider (2006), Beckhorn crafts another prehistoric origin story of animal domestication; this time, instead of girl and horse, it's boy and dog. Born with a twisted foot, Kai is considered bad luck by his tribe and is abandoned as an infant, only to be taken in by wolves. Though his mother eventually reclaims him, Kai maintains a special relationship with the nearby wolf pack as he grows older and the members of his tribe continue to shun him. When a mother wolf dies, Kai cannot leave her pup to starve and brings it home, where it is regarded with as much suspicion as Kai himself. Tragedy strikes, and Kai realizes it is time he and his wolf strike out on their own. Kai's painful struggle toward adulthood and the complex relationships he has with his family ring true, as does the bond he gradually develops with his half-wild wolf. Lyrically written and quietly told, this story about a boy coming of age at the beginning of the human world has no trouble speaking to modern readers. The bond between boy and canineeven one that's just learning to be a dogis timeless, and animal-lovers in particular will be touched by this telling.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)