Every kid thinks about running away at one point or another; few get farther than the end of the block. Young Sam Gribley gets to the end of the block and keeps going--all the way to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with a falcon and a weasel for companions and his wits as his tool for survival. In a spellbinding, touching, funny account, Sam learns to live off the land, and grows up a little in the process. Blizzards, hunters, loneliness, and fear all battle to drive Sam back to city life. But his desire for freedom, independence, and adventure is stronger. No reader will be immune to the compulsion to go right out and start whittling fishhooks and befriending raccoons.

This book is going to white-pine in Ontario. Enjoy!

Thank you very much lillyflower88. I remember reading this book when I was in grade six. I was a very slow reader, and I don't think I ever finished it then. I was very glad that you sent me this copy, because I have wanted to read it since grade 6. I finished reading it a couple of weeks ago.... I wouldn't let myself start reading it until I got that Garfield book sent to you. You're right, when I finished reading it, I was whittling myself a fish hook. Haven't caught a fish yet, but I was happy when a fish finally stole my bait. At least that means I might have a chance of catching one with it. I was tired of fishing at that point anyway, and I didn't want the bait to go to waste.
One thing that is great about this book, is that it's perfect for reading before bed. It is very interesting, but there is no place in the book where you would set it down and stay awake all night thinking about what might happen next. There is no real climax. I could just drift off to sleep each night, happily thinking about Sam's adventures.
I have a friend (K.C.) who I think might like to read this too. I'm going to lend it to her if she wants.