To the Top of the World: Adventures With Arctic Wolves [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

For one special summer, Jim Brandenburg had the unique privilege of being "adopted" by an Arctic wolf pack on a remote arctic island. Coming back with an award-winning series of full-color photographs, Brandenburg has created a spellbinding tribute to this elusive and legendary animal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wildlife photographer Brandenburg's account of a summer he spent near the Arctic Circle with a pack of white wolves is spirited by wildness, discovery and danger, yet also gentled by awe, mutual respect and profound emotion. "Thrilled" at the prospect of knowing wolves "that hadn't learned to fear humans," Brandenburg slips into their world without interrupting it and captures their behaviors, personalities and intelligence in word pictures nearly as descriptive and articulate as his photography. On the musicality of howling: "Every wolf avoided hitting the same note . . . . When this happened by accident, one of the voices would frantically shuffle about until discord could be achieved once again." Although wary of anthropomorphism, Brandenburg writes that "animals undoubtedly have more feelings than we give them credit for." This subtle, underlying persuasion, while never overwrought, gives the book a magnetic appeal. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-A brief text and incredible full-color photographs tell the story of Brandenburg's Arctic summer excursion, during which he took pictures of a pack of wolves who seemed to accept his presence and allow him to approach them closely. On the day of his departure, the entire pack appeared at the airstrip to witness his leaving, as if to say good-bye. His artfully composed, crisp pictures capture the five-week old puppies' initial explorations outside their den, and their escapades with their baby-sitter, Scruffy, as well as howling practice. He offers intriguing examples of how the pecking order operates; in one dramatic episode, the wolves bring down a musk-ox. Through a series of well-chosen vignettes, the author shares plenty of information about the life cycle of animals, although this is not his main purpose. He clearly wants to communicate his awe for these wild creatures, and hopes to dispel any negative stereotypes that exist in readers' minds. His enthusiasm is evident in every well-chosen word. Laurence Pringle's Wolfman (Scribners, 1983; o.p.) concentrates on the work of one scientist in Minnesota; Scott Barry's The Kingdom of Wolves (Putnam, 1979; o.p.) is a more detailed exploration of the animals' habits. Both are accompanied by black-and-white photographs. Wolves (HarperCollins, 1993) by Seymour Simon offers the basic overview report writers require but To the Top of the World is clearly the most captivating.
Ellen Fader, Oregon State Library, Salem
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Co (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802782191
• ISBN-13: 978-0802782199
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, fabulous photos, September 1, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves (Paperback)

"To the Top of the World" is essentially a condensed version of Brandenberg's fantastic book, "White Wolf," and is perhaps a better book to acquaint younger readers with wolf-related issues. This brief volume contains information about human-wolf relations, myth-busting, and of course much about wolf behavior and pack relations. It's also a great way for someone of any age to learn about this magnificent, keystone predator.

The wolf has been maligned for centuries, and it's absolutely crucial that we teach our children the importance of the wolf's role in nature; we have only to look to Yellowstone for a direct object lesson in what losing the wolf does to an ecosystem. In 1930, the US Government proudly shot the last wolf in Yellowstone, and that began a 60-year slide into an environmental disaster. Now, with the wolf replaced only seven short years ago, the park is almost completely back in balance again. It's crucial to understand that there are no "extra" animals in nature, and this book is a wonderful way to begin that learning path.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book, October 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves (Paperback)

This book has beautiful pictures and is so captivating, you can't help but love it. This seems as if you are there with the wolves. An excellent book for learning more about wolves.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information and picture source, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: To the Top of the World: Adventures With Arctic Wolves (Hardcover)

The book is written about Jim Brandonbrug's year spent with the artic wolves. He gets to know the wolves personaly and they begin to trust him completly. A great book for doing reports on artic wolves