Journey: Based on the True Story of OR7, the Most Famous Wolf in the West

by Emma Bland Smith, Robin James (Illustrator)

Overview

“Captivating and heartwarming…Animal lovers will howl with joy.”
—Red Tricycle

This beautiful picture book follows the journey of a young gray wolf who garnered nationwide attention when he became the first wild wolf in California in almost a century.

Using facts recorded by Fish & Wildlife scientists, author Emma Bland Smith imagines the wolf’s experiences in close detail as he makes an epic 2,000-mile trek over three years time. The wolf’s story is interwoven with the perspective of a young girl who follows his trek through the media. As she learns more about wolves and their relationships with humans, she becomes determined to find a way to keep him safe by making him a wolf that is too famous to harm.

"A young girl follows the wolf’s journey and, along the way, learns about issues around the re-introduction of wolves. It’s an opportunity to engage young readers beyond the story."
—Herald Net

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632173379
Publisher:	Sasquatch Books
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	528,049
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Emma Bland Smith is a librarian and writer living with her family in San Francisco. This is her first book for children. She has written a nonfiction book for adults, San Francisco’s Glen Park and Diamond Heights (Arcadia), has contributed to Sunset and other magazines, and writes for the family website Red Tricycle.


Robin James has illustrated more than 85 books, including all of the titles of the much-loved Serendipity series. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she lives with her husband in Arlington, WA. Learn more about her at RobinJames.net.

Editorial Reviews

Winner of the 2017 Cook Prize for best picture book teaching STEM principles to third and fourth graders

Finalist for the Washington State Book Award

"This accessible and engaging picture book is an empowering account of a conservation success story."
—Booklist

"James’ realistic, finely detailed paintings glory in every hair of the wolves’ fur...environmental good news invitingly presented."
—Kirkus Reviews

"The book aims to raise awareness about wolves, and a feeling of connection with their survival."
—Kirkus Reviews

“This is a fabulous book to help open up discussions with kids about conservation and wildlife.”
—Outnumbered 3 to 1
 
“[Teaches] that it's possible even for kids to make a difference.”
—Motherhood Moment

“Captivating and heartwarming…Animal lovers will howl with joy.”
—Red Tricycle

 “[A] marvelous story of determination, self-actualization, empathy, and sheer resolve in nature’s ability to survive.”
—Kid Lit Reviews

“[Journey] has enormous power.”
—Librarian in Cute Shoes

“An extraordinary trek.”
—Librarian's Quest

“Suggestions for further reading, maps, timelines and other resources are icing on this picture-book cake.” 
—Seattle’s Child

“[A] compelling story.”
—Washington Parent

“A must read for all.”
—Psychology Today

“[An] inspirational and moving work of art.”
—Huffington Post

“Absolutely beautiful.”
—Picture Books Help Kids Soar

“[Will] inspire kids to keep reading and…to learn more about the natural world around them.”
—Lu & Bean Read

“Young readers can follow the historic trek of a famous wild gray wolf.”
—Alaska Airlines Magazine

“A beautiful picture book.”
—A Novel Idea

"In sharing the book with groups of readers, Smith said she is struck by how they react once they 'make the connection that Journey is real.'"
—Publishers Weekly

"A young girl follows the wolf’s journey and, along the way, learns about issues around the re-introduction of wolves. It’s an opportunity to engage young readers beyond the story."
—Herald Net

From the Publisher

11/01/2016
Gr 1–3—This is the fictionalized account of OR7, the first wolf since 1924 to cross from Oregon into Northern California. The story opens as OR7 is heading into the unknown, leaving his pack and "the sweet-smelling forest of pines and firs [that] had always been home." Fast-forward about a year to a girl and her father having breakfast at the local diner. The topic of conversation among the ranchers centers on news reports that the wolf is heading their way. As Abby and her dad continue reading the article, they learn that biologists have been trying to reintroduce wolves into areas where there are not too many farms or roads. She is hopeful that the wolf will cross the border into California. Meanwhile, the wolf is wandering in the woods, not knowing that he has tripped a hidden motion-sensitive camera. It captures the world's first look at him. Abby is excited, but the locals worry that the wolf will harm their sheep or cows. The wolf continues his journey, now in search of a mate or a pack. Abby has been following his route on the Internet and learns that he has indeed crossed the border into California. Soon, a local radio station holds a contest to name the wolf, and Abby has the winning entry: Journey. The wolf, meanwhile, has formed a temporary pack with some coyotes but eventually meets a lone female wolf who is also on a solo journey. They become mates and soon have a small litter of pups in a wooded area "where there are not too many roads and not too many farms—just right for wolves." The final pages contain a time line of Journey's adventures, real photos taken by hidden cameras and biologists, and a one-page summary on "The Real Journey," who traveled some 2,000 miles in Oregon and California before settling near the Rogue River, just north of the California border. The illustrations are attractive and realistic in nature and rendered digitally. VERDICT An informative, well-written story useful for units on wolves or nature studies.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

2016-07-20
In 2011, a wolf collared with a tracking device left his pack in northern Oregon, as young wolves do, and ventured south, becoming the first wolf to enter California since 1924.In her fictionalization of his travels, Smith alternates OR7's story with that of a young California resident, a Mexican-American girl she calls Abby. Using internet data, Abby tracks the wolf on a map, and she submits a winning name, Journey, in a contest to make the wolf "too famous to harm." (In real life, the backmatter tells us, two children from other states were the contest winners.) The author imagines what Journey senses and thinks along the way. She includes his encounter with a motion-sensor camera, his temporary stay with a pack of coyotes, and his discovery of the young black female, also a wanderer, who became his real-life mate. They’ve settled just north of the border, raised pups, and started a new pack. James’ realistic, finely detailed paintings glory in every hair of the wolves’ fur. Journey’s trek is depicted on double-page spreads; for Abby’s experience, full-page images oppose pages of text, each with a relevant vignette. The backmatter includes an actual photograph. The text and its font size may be challenging for young readers, but the story will appeal. For good young readers and patient listeners, environmental good news invitingly presented. (timeline, map, further web exploration) (Picture book. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews