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4th out of 28 books
—
26 voters
Incident at Hawk's Hill
Six-year-old Ben is very small for his age, and gets along better with animals than people. One June day in 1870, Ben wanders away from his home on Hawk's Hill and disappears into the waving prairie grass. This is the story of how a shy, lonely boy survives for months in the wilds and forges a bond with a female badger. ALA Notable Book. Newbery Honor Book.
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
(first published 1971)
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Although this book received a Newbery Honor when it was published, you probably haven’t heard of it. The cover most likely won’t convince you to pick it up. Even the introduction might persuade you that it’s too slow to finish. But once you’ve gotten into the story, you may have a hard time putting it down until you’ve blown all the way through the last page.
Ben is a boy who doesn’t do well with people. This worries his family, especially his father, who simply cannot understand why his youngest...more
Ben is a boy who doesn’t do well with people. This worries his family, especially his father, who simply cannot understand why his youngest...more
Although this book received a Newbery Honor when it was published, you probably haven’t heard of it. The cover most likely won’t convince you to pick it up. Even the introduction might persuade you that it’s too slow to finish. But once you’ve gotten into the story, you may have a hard time putting it down until you’ve blown all the way through the last page.
Ben is a boy who doesn’t do well with people. This worries his family, especially his father, who simply cannot understand why his youngest...more
Ben is a boy who doesn’t do well with people. This worries his family, especially his father, who simply cannot understand why his youngest...more
Okay, this is one of the few books that had me sniveling in public, but then I'm a bit of a sucker when it comes to any animal stories. Eckert is a keen observer of the natural world and if you are looking to be immersed in the setting, look no further than this author's writing.
About the only aspect of the novel I didn't like was the obvious stereotyping when it comes to the antagonist, the "evil" man "naturally" being tall, dark and dirty.
There's an interesting story attached to this novel. M...more
About the only aspect of the novel I didn't like was the obvious stereotyping when it comes to the antagonist, the "evil" man "naturally" being tall, dark and dirty.
There's an interesting story attached to this novel. M...more
My reading group just finished this book today. It's high praise when a fifth grader hands you the book and says, "Best book ever." with eyes shining. It's the (possibly) true story of a young boy who wanders away from home and bonds with a badger in the wild. The author writes about the animals and humans in a very realistic way. And the ending, while kind of manipulative, tugs at you even after you've finished the book. It will be on my class reading list every year.
The youngest of four, Ben MacDonald is the strangest compared to his older brother and sisters. Ben’s father, William MacDonald wonders why his own son runs away from him. He wonders and asks his wife Ester, and she says that Ben needs more attention. The MacDonald family has the worst neighbor, George Burton. The family thinks he is strange but in a bad way. He has a dog Lobo who follows him. George Burton is a trapper, he traps animals in a very cruel way, and he lets them suffer. One day Ben...more
The last time we moved, this book somehow got packed in our book boxes from our Grandma's house. Once we were unpacking our books in our new home (1000 miles from Grandma's house!) I found this book and devoured it in just a couple of sittings. I told my mom about it and she promptly began reading it aloud to all of us. We've read it aloud to each other at least two more times since then and it's on all of our "favorite book lists."
The story centers around a shy 6 year old boy, Benjamin McDonald...more
The story centers around a shy 6 year old boy, Benjamin McDonald...more
I read the book at about the age of 13, and I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 12 unless they have a more advanced vocabulary. It did leave a lasting impression, to be sure. I enjoyed things about the wilderness, animals, and survival. The base relationships in it both fascinated and uplifted me. The ending was even satisfying, which isn't something I could say about many of the required reading books. Although, I do sympathize with those who were -forced- to read this or any book. I just ha...more
This might be the best book you never read. Maybe you saw the movie during primary school. Maybe someone read it to you when you were young and you have this vague recollection of a story about a little boy and a badger... but you can't quite recall...
I originally read Incident at Hawk's Hill when I was eight and loved it. It inspired my love of nature. It's the first book that evoked emotion from me, anger, fear, grief, joy. Of course, as a kid I believed that it was all true and hoped that I c...more
I originally read Incident at Hawk's Hill when I was eight and loved it. It inspired my love of nature. It's the first book that evoked emotion from me, anger, fear, grief, joy. Of course, as a kid I believed that it was all true and hoped that I c...more
I read this book only once before, and that was at least 20 years ago.
All I could remember of the story was a young boy befriended a badger by offering her pink baby mice, and that it wasn't boring.
I was happy to have found a copy to read and refresh my memory of this Newbery Honor-winning tale, based apparently on true historic events.
Get past the lengthy, nearly dull prologue and power through the gorish details of animals being skinned, getting eaten and torn apart, and you're in for a heart-...more
All I could remember of the story was a young boy befriended a badger by offering her pink baby mice, and that it wasn't boring.
I was happy to have found a copy to read and refresh my memory of this Newbery Honor-winning tale, based apparently on true historic events.
Get past the lengthy, nearly dull prologue and power through the gorish details of animals being skinned, getting eaten and torn apart, and you're in for a heart-...more
I think I was in middle school or maybe even elementary school when I first read this book. It made such an impression on me I kept it. Every time I've seen it on my shelf, I remembered vaguely that it was an unusual story of an unusual child with a strong affinity for all animals who ended up living with and being adopted by a badger. Though I hadn't read it in at least 10-15 years, I couldn't bear to part with the book whenever I would review my library for trimming.
Having reread it now, I'm s...more
Having reread it now, I'm s...more
Just finished reading this with my 10 year old son as his "read-aloud" (at least 20min. a week) for the last several months of 4th grade. A beautiful and gripping book. We were both tearful at the final chapter. Excellent vocabulary -- there were a few words in there I'd never heard of. Well written description of characters (you quickly grow to love/dislike) and of action. Good for animal lovers. Earlier in the year his class read some "survival" stories and Hatchet by Paulsen, so this fit in w...more
We picked this book because Joshua is writing his 3rd grade Mammal Report on badgers. In this true story, a 6 year old boy wanders away from home and gets lost on the prairie in 1870. A mother badger who just lost her babies finds the boy and cares for him for 2 months until he is found. We learned all we ever wanted to know about badgers (and much more). Joshua was mesmerized by the story and all the details of nature. Rachel liked the story line but wasn't as interested in all the badger detai...more
A boy on a homestead is lost out on the prairie during a storm, and seeks shelter in a badger's den. The badger helps the boy to survive, and develops a strong bond with the boy. Much sentimentality ensues.
I loved this book as a child. When I was a young lad of about 10, I'd wander the fields near the property my family rented looking for a badger den to hole up, hoping that I'd get a best friend badger for life like the kid in the story. Badgers are not indigenous to Connecticut, but I wasn't a...more
I loved this book as a child. When I was a young lad of about 10, I'd wander the fields near the property my family rented looking for a badger den to hole up, hoping that I'd get a best friend badger for life like the kid in the story. Badgers are not indigenous to Connecticut, but I wasn't a...more
This is a great book. Very detailed. I may have learned more than I ever wanted to know about badgers, but I did fall in love with little Ben and his adopted badger-mom.
As a side note, it's very interesting to see the differences in children's literature since this book was published (1972) and now. This book by today's standards would be very slow and boring, with not much action. It's really too bad that our children are growing up on Captain Underpants instead of quality books like this one.
As a side note, it's very interesting to see the differences in children's literature since this book was published (1972) and now. This book by today's standards would be very slow and boring, with not much action. It's really too bad that our children are growing up on Captain Underpants instead of quality books like this one.
This book brought to mind Walt Whitman's "Sometimes I think I could turn and live with animals." It's lovely to know that the story's based on a true incident of a badger caring for a boy. Here the author develops that intriguing germ of an idea into a book that also speaks about acceptance and understanding of those who don't conform to expected norms and about the power of love to bridge distances and bring healing to a troubled family. Especially recommended for animal and nature lovers.
**spoiler alerts
Loved that this was "based" on a true story--that fact made my husband and son more interested in reading it. I also appreciated that the author didn't put human emotions into the animals, the badger losing her pups was heartbreaking enough as it was.
The bonus of this story wasn't the boy's amazing summer of surviving in the wild with the badger, but the way the whole experience brought his family together. It had a message I know I often need--the mother asks the father, "how o...more
Loved that this was "based" on a true story--that fact made my husband and son more interested in reading it. I also appreciated that the author didn't put human emotions into the animals, the badger losing her pups was heartbreaking enough as it was.
The bonus of this story wasn't the boy's amazing summer of surviving in the wild with the badger, but the way the whole experience brought his family together. It had a message I know I often need--the mother asks the father, "how o...more
What a marvelous story about the connection man can have with animals. Six year old Ben is lost in the Canadian grasslands and is taken care of by a badger. She doesn't just take care of Ben, Ben cares for her in crucial ways.
Ben has a gift for ultra keen observation and mimicry of animals. He is a little "different." His mom totally accepts him and tries to get dad to understand personal timing - Ben will be OK on his time.
In the end, we have a great survival story, a family healed and a messag...more
Ben has a gift for ultra keen observation and mimicry of animals. He is a little "different." His mom totally accepts him and tries to get dad to understand personal timing - Ben will be OK on his time.
In the end, we have a great survival story, a family healed and a messag...more
I originally read this book as a child, and adored it. When I had my own children, I spent quite awhile trying to find a copy for them... unfortunately my children's taste in literature is questionable at best, and they didn't like it. But I intend to keep that copy, maybe I'll have a GRANDchild with taste. It's wonderful. Truly.
I read this book when I was young and was in a serious Eckert phase, and I've been thinking of returning to some of these books. They moved me deeply at the time and left a serious impression. Turns out, this was *so* worth rereading -- it's beautiful and powerful and brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to share it with Anya in a few years!
I would rate this book PG-13 for the graphic nature of it. It would probably appeal to boys as it is a story of survival. It is a bit gruesome in some of the fight scenes and some of the things that a little boy does to survive. I would not let a child under the age of 13 read this book.
I've read and enjoyed this book several times and am still intrigued by its tale. It is based upon the diary entry made by a priest in the area of its setting who was told the story by the family. Allan Eckert ran across it while researching for another one of his great books.
Based on a real incident in the 19th century,the story starts out slow as the author supplies enourmous amounts of details in creating a setting the reader can visualize. Oncethe characters enter, the reader is captured by the amazing experiences of a small child.
I read this book with my 6 year old. Both of us really enjoyed it. Its been a couple weeks now that we have finished the book and I am still wondering about eating raw rodents and snakes. I am also wondering how to instil that commitment to survive in myself and my children that Ben seemed naturally gifted with, (among his other gifts like observing and befriending animals).
Never knew a thing about badgers before I read this book. I enjoyed how the family was brought together by Ben and his adopted badger mom. I loved the details given by the author. My 8 year old heard me talking about this book, and wants me to read it to him.
This is a beautifully written book dealing with family relationships, nature, love, fear, and companionship.
(I read this novel in the 70s when I was taking an adolescent lit. class. The critique came from one I did for the class.)
(I read this novel in the 70s when I was taking an adolescent lit. class. The critique came from one I did for the class.)
An interesting story, that lacks some interest for kids, as it focuses a bit too much on the adults in the story, and their reaction to events. When six-year-old Ben is on his own the story gets much more gripping.
Wonderful children's book about a boy who has an unusual ability to communicate with wild animals. All well told but for a little bit of unnecessary violence between humans in the conclusion. Based on a true story.
I read this last year for school and I was shocked at how fantastic this story is! I loved it! I applaud to this story that made my heart drop at the end and left me wondering what happened after the story ended. Bravo!
I was intrigued with the story, taken from a true incident that happened in Canada in 1870,and very interested in learning about the habits of badgers and about the boy Ben McDonald who could communicate with animals.
This is my FAVORITE book of all time! This is the very first novel I remember reading cover to cover a book that I could probably pick up today and re-read! Wonderful!!!!
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Allan W. Eckert was an American historian, historical novelist, and naturalist.
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