Song of the Wild

by Allan W. Eckert

The dramatic story of a lonely and misunderstood boy who has an exhilarating relationship with animals and nature, Song of the Wild is a book for all ages. Twelve-year-old Caleb Erikson, who was born with a strange and wonderful talent that lets him take his mind inside any living creature he sees, sharing everything it experiences. With his special gift he can soar into the sky within a red-winged blackbird, run freely inside the horses he loves, or share the experiences of a great old tree as it undergoes the violence of a storm. One remarkable summer, into Caleb's life comes Dr. Colin Patrick, a warmhearted veterinarian with a rare sensitivity for animals and those who understands them; a man not so skeptical as others of Caleb's amazing ability.

Genres: Fiction, Animals

225 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 1980

About the author

Allan W. Eckert was an American historian, historical novelist, and naturalist.

Eckert was born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, but had been a long-time resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, near where he attended college. As a young man, he hitch-hiked around the United States, living off the land and learning about wildlife. He began writing about nature and American history at the age of thirteen, eventually becoming an author of numerous books for children and adults. His children's novel, Incident at Hawk's Hill, was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal in 1972. One of his novels tells how the great auk went extinct.

In addition to his novels, he also wrote several unproduced screenplays and more than 225 Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom television shows for which he received an Emmy Award.

In a 1999 poll conducted by the Ohioana Library Association, jointly with Toni Morrison, Allan W. Eckert was voted "Favorite Ohio Writer of All Time."

Eckert died in his sleep on July 7, 2011, in Corona, California, at the age of 80.

Reviews

[Barbara Brockhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book shortly after it came out. The book haunted me for years and I wanted to read it again, only I could not remember the title. I even went back to the small library I first checked it out of and asked them about the book. I pestered librarians, book clerks and any friends who read a lot about the title. Finally, a fabulous person on a website helped me find the book. Re-reading a lost favorite is a bit scary. What if after all of that work and time, the book was not as good as I remember it being. While this reading was not as suprising as the first time it was still a wonderful book. Tween and early teens would love the book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited decades to finally find this book. Adore it. One I checked out continuously at the library.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruh

[Bear Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites! I own multiple copies so I can loan it to people without fear of losing it forever!

[Barbara Brockhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in high school and it haunted me for years. It was one of those. I could not remember the name, but through the magic of the internet I was able to find it years later. It was kind of scary to reread it because what if it did not live up to my expectation? I still love this book. It's still rips my heart out. Such an amazing and unique story.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ohmygod, the ending. Could somebody have WARNED me? I’m traumatized

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was probably my favorite book as a kid. it had animals, magic of sorts, tragedy...I got it out from the library and then never could find it again. my daughter did an author report on allan eckert in elementary school - I must have pushed him - so I think there is a copy sitting in her room I can reread. I think incident at hawkshill is his more famous work (and those were the only two I knew as a kid, though he's written more) but I loved this one much more.

[Bambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I first read it as a kid and I searched for it for years, but couldn't remember the title. I was elated to finally find it and re-read it. I have to say that it was much better as a pre-teen/teen than as an adult and knowing the ending spoils it a little. I'm rating it four stars - 5 as a kid and 3 as an adult.

[Stacy Schlappi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book. I first read it in Mrs. Rieser's LA class in 7th grade. Just finished it again. I also looked in my mind for years trying to remember the title and author! I will not lose it again!

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan was a personal friend of ours and added my son to this story on page 219. All his books are a terrific read.

[Kayli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all, which is so strange considering how much I love the book 'Incident at Hawk's Hill.' I especially thought the ending was super lame.

[Andy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite book from my childhood.