Stormy

Jim Kjelgarrd writes exciting outdoor adventures for young people. The heroes are always very independent and self-sufficient. Alan and his father ran a hunting lodge until his father was sent to prison for a fight with an obnoxious client. Alan holds down the fort while his father is gone. There is a feud with a clan of nasty neighbors, who have cut off the wildlife runway that brought business to the hunting camp. What Alan has to go through at the hands of his father's enemies is really upsetting. I find the books where the young hero has to fight bears less disturbing than the ones where human enemies try to ruin the heroes life. It's too much like real life! Alan, who has no hunting dog, rescues a great retriever who has been shot. It takes work to win the dog's trust, but like all of Kjelgaard's heroes, Alan proves worthy. Adding to the conflict is that the dog is an outlaw, accused of being rabid and attacking his owner. Then Alan finds himself an outlaw too! Loads of suspense and adventure, and lots of lessons about life. It's not an easy world out there, but by being a straight shooter and stoic, Alan and Stormy tough it out!

Okay, so it's not a classic like Big Red, but who says classics have to be better? This book shows Jim Kjelgaard's talent as a writer and how you can take popular subjects into a book unique and different from every book about dogs out there. As a young child, I was a bookworm, but as I'm getting older, reading books isn't such a joy anymore. I knew I had to have this book though. It striked me as a book everyone needs to read, which it is. I read it in about a week because I couldn't put it down! It's a flawless triumph that gets right down to the bottom of your heart where the emotions rise until youre crying of joy. Once again, Jim Kjelgaard creates a fabulous book everyone is sure to love!

The book Stormy was very good. It was well written. It was good because it had a lot of action. If Allan wasn't in trouble with one thing he was in trouble with something else. In the middle of the book it had the most action. I like how Jim wrote and described the words of the book. I could picture what was happening when Allan was fightig the pike in the lake. The book told me friendship and never give up. This book is for people who like a lot of action.

Young Alan Marley struggles to survive on his own in harsh northern conditions, and learns lessons about interdependence, loyalty, friendship, and courage from a stray dog who is in a fix just as bad as the boy is. In addition to being a compelling story, the book has interwoven subtext about learning to get along with others, making choices that are most important first, not panicking in truly desparate circumstances, and having the courage to stand for what is right, no matter the cost. There is a love of nature and respect for wildlife that runs throughout as well.Kjelgaard's gift for bringing the reader into nature artlessly hides the subtext, and makes for a wonderful read for any person over the age of eight. While I have read all of Mr. Kjelgaard's books, Stormy is by far my favorite. Although I first read it more than thirty years ago, I still pull it out every couple of years to enjoy once more, or to read to my own children.

This is a great book for kids and adults. Real life problems dealt with through courage and rational thinking. All the life lessons you will ever need are right here.