Flight of the White Wolf

by Mel Ellis

A boy and his pet white wolf flee before a state-wide hunt to locate and destroy the animal.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Mel Ellis was a prolific, venerable writer and observer of the Wisconsin landscape. He crafted outdoor columns for The Milwaukee Journal for 15 years, wrote short stories, edited a field column for Field & Streeam for 12 years, penned magazine pieces for national media and three of his 18 books became Disney TV movies.

Ellis was Wisconsin born and bred. His "Notes From Little Lakes" columns from the Milwaukee Journal (1957-73) and the Wisconsin Sportsman (1976-82) chronicle nature observations and family life at an old frame house on 15 acres in Waukesha County. Ellis's columns and essays have been collected, edited and reissued in a new book you can savor in 10-minute respites and on long, winter nights. "Notes from Little Lakes" was published by The Cabin Bookshelf, Waukesha, late last year and should be available at bookstores statewide.

Reviews

[Bookwyrmgyrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure story!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot of some of Jack London's books, like Call of the Wild or White Fang. Because of this, I thought for sure that my little brother would love this one too. I tried to get him to read this and he said that if it really wasn't that bad, why don't I read it? So I did, and it really wasn't that bad! I'll try convincing him that sometime.
Anyway, it doesn't take a long time for this book to get set up. Within like the first two chapters or so, the action has already begun and Russ and Grey are on the run from the posse, or the hunters. I too also felt the same way Russ did about the wolf; it's far too often that an animal acts out in instinct and then humans feel like they must kill the animal when the humans are the one who did the wrong in the first place. Especially with Grey. It's not fair.
While it was a nice adventure story, I did feel like occasionally there was a sentence that was worded strangely or that the boy Russ did some things that weren't very realistic. I'm not a survival person but I feel like you would be freezing if you went casually swimming in an icy pond in late fall and then slept out in the open without a mention of a small fire even around to warm himself. Also I feel like because Russ was mentioned as fifteen, it was a bit crazy for his parents to let him travel through the woods alone with a wolf and people who want the wolf dead at their heels. And one thing that's not that important: the cover shows Russ's hair as brown and in the book it's described as nearly white blond because he liked spending time outside a lot. Inconsistent.

Anyway, if you're looking for a laid back adventure story to read within a day, this may be what you'd enjoy.

Content:
Language--darn
Sexy Stuff/Romance--N/A
Violence--Animals are killed by the wolf, guns shoot animals, and one animal gets stuck in a trap.

[Shantell Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have read this a dozen times as a kid. This is my first time reading it this millennium, and it still holds up. Ellis has a reverence for nature that I appreciate. I hadn't realized how influential this book was to my own writing until rereading it. This is ecofiction written for a young audience, and though I'm not so young anymore, I wish I could go on an adventure like this.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifteen year old Russet (Russ) Clagg, a star cross-country runner at Mukwonago Union High School, lives with his father and mother in the heart of southern Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine state forest. The Claggs run one of the largest and most modern training and boarding kennels for dogs in the state. Russ has had Gray, named for his gray fur when a snarling little pup which has now turned white, as a pet wolf for seven years. But then, Gray gets loose and kills a boxer named Bo, a champion show dog. So Russ sets off in pursuit of his fleeing pet and begins a dangerous journey northward to protected land as posses with bloodhounds pursue and cold, snowy weather moves in, risking his life to save his pet from capture and death. Will Gray make it to safety? Or will they get caught? And will Russ survive the ordeal? This is the kind of adventure book that I dearly loved to read as a teenager.

There are a couple of common euphemisms (darn, gosh), but no cursing or profanity. Those with squeamish stomachs might want to know that in a couple of scenes Russ has to eat raw meat. In the area of values, some might object to the perceived lack of consequences for Russ’s dishonest actions. Yet, on one occasion when Russ feels that he must steal some food, the author says that “stealing was rupturing that part of the moral code which needed some thought.” The fact is that in the lengths Russ’s love will go to help the wolf escape the boy learns the virtue of manly character. As one reviewer noted, Ellis doesn’t talk down to his intended young audience yet doesn’t make kids think they can easily go out and survive in the woods on their own. Also, a lot of educational information about wolves is included. The story was made into a Walt Disney television movie, The Flight of the Grey Wolf, in 1976.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I like to read books about animals. The genre of the Flight of the White Wolf is realistic fiction. I have never read any other books by Mel Ellis before but though the book looked interesting. I liked the animal, the white wolf in this book and the overall story, but I thought it was kind of slow moving. The author could have added more exciting parts or shortened the book a little.

This story takes place mostly in the forest. The main characters are the boy and the wolf. The point of view is from the boy, Russet Clagg. It takes place in Wisconsin.

I did not like the part when the wolf, Gray, kills the prize boxer dog, Bo. I liked the relationship between Russet and the wolf.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about wolves or adventures.

[Steve Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try not to write negative book reviews, every author deserves a chance, and every reader is different and perceives a story in their own way...but I was close on this one. Everything in the story revolves around a boy and a wolf...outside of this, there is little human interaction. I can deal with that...I've read the great Jack London stories of the far north, and you have to create that feeling of solitude. However, half-way through the book, you end up right where you began...literally. After that point, you feel like you are reading the same book all over again. I give credit to the author for knowing his stuff...the outdoors, interactions with dogs and animals, how a 15-year-old would survive in the wild...all spot on...which does make this a very believable story with maybe one or two flaws...not given away here as I don't give away spoilers in any of my reviews. I got this book back in the 70's through the Scholastic Reader program, and I am sure I liked it then. I only recently found it again going through my "stuff" and read it a second time. It's funny, no not funny, amicable, how life changes our perspectives.

[Tero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tämä oli melko taitavasti kirjoitettu, lyhyt tarina mutta lastenkirjaksi liian väkivaltainen. Eläinten tappamista kuvataan usein ja verisen yksityiskohtaisesti ja radio kertoo miten monta Vietkongin sissiä on surmattu Vietnamissa. Aikuiselle tämä oli epärealistinen, esimerkiksi päähenkilö-lapsi käyttäytyi ja puhui kuin aikuinen filosofi-eränkävijä, sudet käyttäytyivät epärealistisen ’inhimillisesti’, lapsen vanhemmat.. kukaan vanhempi ei lähetä lasta viikkokausiksi jonnekin erämaihin yksin, ilman kunnon varusteita ja haavoittuneen suden kanssa, missään tilanteessa. Älytöntä. Kirjan henkilöt jäävät myös hieman pinnallisiksi. Mitään täyttä roskaa tämä ei silti ollut, päähenkilön sisäistä maailmaa ja tarinan kulkua kuvailtiin mukaansa tempaavalla tavalla eikä tarina ollut huonosti kirjoitettu.

[Shannon Couture · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure I read this book in 5th grade back in the late 70’s. I recently found this book when I cleaning out my basement. Quickly re read it and found it very enjoyable just like I did 40 yrs ago! It takes place in the southern kettle moraine forest, in Eagle, hwy 67 area. I’m very familiar with that area, not only working out there but living in East Troy for a good chunk of time. I think just knowing the area well lends an excitement to the book that might not otherwise happen if you didn’t know the area. Other than that, my favorite animal is the gray wolf canis lupus so there’s that. This was one of my first books I read for the enjoyment of it so it hold a special place for me. Great story and I think I’ll track down some other Mel Ellis books. I highly recommend if you like jack London style books

[Twyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Gray managed to make it all the way to where there was a wolf pack for him to join so that Russet could go back home again. My least favorite part was when they kept being hunted because the people had thought that the wolf had killed Russet. The beginning part was a little bit confusing, but it made enough sense.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was slow to start, but fast becomes riveting. I'm so glad I saw the Disney movie first, because the book is so much better!

[Sirja · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had to read this one at school for a class years and years ago, back in the middle school. I only remember that I really loved this one and the wolf even came into my dreams quite often for a while. Have wished to read again and now I surely will! I had forgotten the name and just now managed to remember it by chance.

[Tingting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good book if you like survival

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flight of the white wolf by
Mel Ellis
this book is about surviving in the forest

[jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, moving, realistic adventure by mel. No flash or gimmicks. Heartfelt, engaging.
Get your kids some ellis books, they were favorites of mine growing up.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I encountered this book first as a tween, and was conscious that it was stretching credulity-- but it captured my imagination and I've kept it and re-read it over periodically.

[Lynda Tortomasi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I abandoned this book along with my 5th grade class. Recommended by a local librarian, we were bored.

[ThDogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adored this book as a child. Nature survivals were, and are, one of my favourite genres.