Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack [Hardcover]

Jim Brandenburg (Author), Joann Bren Guernsey (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996 | Age Level: 6 and up

During the several months he spent on Ellesmere Island near the Arctic Circle, Brandenburg observed Scruffy, a yearling Arctic wolf, and wondered if he would ever fit into the hierarchy of the pack. Yet once the pack's new litter emerged from the den, Scruffy's role became clear: when the pack left for a hunt, Scruffy was sole protector, teacher, and playmate to the pups, making sure thay survived the first year in their harsh Arctic home. Color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Award-winning photographer and nature writer Brandenburg chronicles the life of a young Arctic wolf. Nicknamed "Scruffy" for his disheveled appearance, the young wolf is shown interacting with his pack and struggling to establish himself within the hierarchical wolf family. As Scruffy begins to take care of some new wolf pups, readers are given a fascinating look at the social structure of these interesting animals. The text occasionally lapses into anthropomorphism in its attempt to give Scruffy's search for a place in the pack some human dimension. While some readers may be put off by references to human emotions and sensibilities, they're sure to find the stunning full-color photography and Scruffy's eventual acceptance compelling.
Ellen M. Riordan, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. The author of the award-winning photo-essay To the Top of the World (1993), for an older audience, makes further use of his experiences living near and observing an Arctic wolf pack on Ellesmere Island. Here he focuses on the pack's weakest, lowest ranking member, Scruffy, so called because it was "by far the messiest." In plainspoken words, laced with obvious affection, he describes Scruffy's "goofy" ways, harsh treatment by others in the pack, and unsuccessful attempts to handle tasks that came easily to most of the others. He also describes Scruffy's special talent--nursemaid to wolf pups--and the behavioral changes the wolf experienced while handling its responsibilities. Brandenburg's photos, several of which are quite amazing, capture it all--Scruffy cowering and abject one moment, growling and fully in charge the next. It's the book's design that's disappointing. The text and neatly bordered, full-color pictures rest atop pale gray or gray-green paper imprinted with an overexposed photo (the same one seems to be used throughout), a technique that not only makes the text occasionally hard to read but also makes the pages seem busy and crowded. Still, there's much information, especially about animal hierarchy and the way nature tries to find a place for all. Stephanie Zvirin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Walker & Co (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802784453
• ISBN-13: 978-0802784452
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,844,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful wolf book for children, August 15, 2002

By 

Erin K. Darling "naive cynic" (olympia, wa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack (Paperback)

Jim Brandenburg is one of my favorite wolf photographers & authors, and I absolutely love every book of his that I've read. I wasn't paying quite close enough attention to this book when I bought it; I didn't realize it was a children's book! Still, as disappointed as I initially was, as I flipped through it, I realized what a great vehicle this book is to educate children about wolves - he covers issues of dominant and submissive roles within the pack, the role of the omega wolf (Scruffy's place in the pack,) and the hardships of wolves' lives in the Arctic. The photos are excellent, and the text is clearly-written and in large print, very easy for new readers to work through....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack, September 12, 2006

By 

Mayno (Hollister, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack (Paperback)

My daughter brought this book home from the school library, and I fell in love with it. The depiction of the life of this wolf and his place of low-status in the pack was very moving and also very educational. The heirarchy of the dominant versus submissive wolves is a social structure that we can easily apply to our dog and her place in our family. Wonderful book! I was excited to find it on Amazon since I had forgotten the name of the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's a Little Bit of "Scruffy" in All of Us, October 2, 2008

By 

Faye Quam Heimerl - Book Editor "Quam Editorial" (Westminster, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack (Paperback)

Scruffy is not a successful hunter, a careful groomer, or a powerful tell-em-what-to-do-er. He is a goofy Artic wolf, a misfit whose main talent seems to be getting beat up by the other wolves in his pack.

But then a litter of pups is born; and when their mother needs a pup-sitter to watch them while she hunts, Scruffy steps up for the job. He turns out to be an expert caregiver and tutor, and he knows it; he shows his confidence by standing tall and "superior" when he's alone with the cubs. Scruffy now has an important place in the pack.

SCRUFFY contains compelling and thought-provoking photos and text. It's written for children, but teens and adults will also find it a great vehicle for discussions about group hierarchies, body language, or the confidence that comes when you find something in which to excel.