Wild Children: Growing Up Without Human Contact [Library Binding]

Elaine Landau (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: First Books Different from Birth

Describes the phenomenon of feral children, and relates several historical case studies of children found in the wild or surviving with limited human contact.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Landau introduces the phenomenon of feral children in folklore and fiction, and then describes four true cases from the past and present. She provides the facts in a clear, although dry and uninspired style. Photographs and reproductions of period drawings, the majority in black and white, extend the text. The chapters on the "Wild Boy of Aveyron" and Amala and Kamala, the wolf-girls from India, are the most compelling as they detail experiences of children who lived with animals. Archival photos of the Indian girls from the 1920s are fascinating, since they initially walked on all fours and ate off the ground. The remaining two cases explore young people who were imprisoned and suffered severe deprivation at the hands of adults. Kaspar Hauser, a legitimate heir to a German duke, was kidnapped as a child and later murdered once his identity was discovered. Thirteen-year-old Genie had been tied to a potty chair most of her life until she was rescued and taken to a children's hospital. Throughout, the author discusses how scientists have used these experiences to study the development of language and socialization, trying to discover what "makes us human." Words defined in the glossary are highlighted in the text. This book will most likely be of interest for browsing rather than for assignments.-Jennifer Ralston, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531202569
• ISBN-13: 978-0531202562
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,976,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a children's book author and writing coach who loves both children and books. I've never been much of a fiction fan, I've spent my time both reading and writing nonfiction. I live in tropical Miami with my husband and son who are nonfiction lovers as well.