Lion Hound

Jim Kjelgaard's books are filled with excitement and a healthy appreciation for a rugged way of life in the great outdoors, and while Lion Hound may not be his best effort, it has all of the trademarks that make this a book well worth reading. The clean prose brings us into the story with an immediacy that many more literary authors fail to achieve. The main characters are the old, wise mountaineer Jake Kane, the young and good-hearted Johnny Torrington, and Buck, the titular Lion Hound who is raised to be of use to his human companions. As in many Kjelgaard books, we get a vicarious thrill from watching Buck progress from puppyhood to his prime, against a backdrop of beautiful wilderness and sometimes-harsh conditions. The three friends are plagued by a mountain lion, a formidable predator made all the more dangerous by a stint in captivity. The plot is filled with action-packed conflicts, and interesting details about life in the outdoors. There are some life lessons in here that should be appreciated by any parent, but the book never preaches. It's simply a good, solid act of storytelling that is reminiscent of Louis Lamour for its simplicity and ability to captivate. I recommend all of the Kjelgaard books, and that certainly includes this one. I would start with another selection (Snow Dog, Wild Trek, and Big Red are some of my favorites), but there are no losers in this series. Enjoy!

I first read this book when I was in 5th Grade. I have always been interested in the Outdoors. This book guides us through an extraordinary adventure with a boy, his older friend, their dogs and a mean old Mountain Lion which they all hunt. It's filled with suspense, and will keep anyone glued to the book. Excellent Read! You'll most likely have to check it out at the library. It's tough to find!

I read this wonderful book when I was a school boy. I still consider it my favorite book today--35 years later! I just received an out-of-print copy from my beloved girl friend as a gift. She couldn't have choosen a more appropriate surprise gift for me. Her gift touched me deeply. What a great family read aloud book.

i can`t say anything about this wonderful. if you read this book you will now how good it is.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lion Hound by Jim Kjelgaard when I was a child going to school in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. I treasure my memories of this story and I wish I could locate a decent copy. I'm surprised Disney didn't make this one into a movie.