My Side of the Mountain

“Fortunately, the sun has a wonderfully glorious habit of rising every morning” (George 1959)

This week, I went back to my fifth-grade classroom and dove into the popular novel My Side of the Mountain. I remember loving this book when I was younger, and it honestly lived up to what I remember.

Sam is unsatisfied with his life. He and his very large family live in a crowded apartment in the city, but he longs for the woods and fresh air. Sam comes up with the idea to go stay on great-grandfather's abandoned farm near a small town nearby. He begins to study survival and skills at his library, then tells his parents of his plans. His father allows him to go but believes he will be back in a few days when he gives up. Sam takes a bus to the nearby town, then sets out on foot into the woods. He fails to find the cabin first, but he meets a kind man to teaches him how to build a fire. When he finally finds the cabin, he sees that only the foundation is left. He decides to hollow out a tree to sleep in and sets up camp. As the book continues, Sam uses traps to catch food and catches a falcon that he trains to hunt. He meets a few people during his stay that lasts through multiple seasons. In the end, Sam's parents visit his camp and decide to build a family home on the land.

I would love to include this book in my classroom if I have a higher grade, such as fourth or fifth grade. The book is set up so it reads like a journal, with Sam detailing his day and the events. This book would be great to introduce in a personal narrative or journaling lesson. Students can get ideas and inspiration from reading this book and want to write about their own lives and adventures. This book could even inspire students to create their own stories and write them in a similar fashion.

I loved this book then, and I still love it now. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a next book to read!