Death Walk

by Walt Morey

Rescued by trapper Mike Donovan following a sled crash in the Alaskan arctic, Joel Rogers develops a deep bond with Mike, but disaster strikes in the form of two fugitives on a murderous rampage

Genres: Childrens, Adventure, Young Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Walt Morey was an award-winning author of numerous works of children's fiction set in the U.S. Pacific Northwestand Alaska, the places where Morey lived for all of his life. His book Gentle Ben was the basis for the 1967 movie Gentle Giant and the 1967-1969 television show Gentle Ben.

He wrote a total of 17 published books, most of which involve as a central plot element the relationship between man and animals. Many of his works involve survival stories, or people going into the wild to "discover" themselves; redemption through nature is a common theme of Morey's works.

Reviews

[Weston Lee]

Death Walk is a really good novel. I have enjoyed it more than any other book I have read in my entire life. The way the boy gets lost in the woods, but he finds help really excited me. This is one of the only books I ever actually wanted to read. Indeed, every time I sat it down I could not wait to pick it up and start reading it again. I have already recommended this novel to all of my friends. Even people that do not like to read would enjoy this marvelous masterpiece, that we call a book. This is a really good book for people of all and sizes. I will read this book again and again. I like it some much I will probably give it out as Christmas presents to my whole family this year and every year to come.I have actually enjoyed reading Death Walk by Walt Morey.

[Bookworm]

Wow.. just wow! Another great book by Walt Morely; this one was much more interesting and exciting than Canyon Winter, which while good, lacked some. In fact some of the plot was along the same lines, even some same dialougue. But a whole new setting.
Seventeen year old Joe is stranded in the frozen Alaskan wilderness with his friend's murderers. When a uptight and mysterious trapper takes him in, Joe begins to learn you can't run away from your problems, and what it takes to become a man. Will he survive the 200 mile race to civilization with his pursuers just a mile or two behind, or will the Alaskan wilderness forever hide the story of him and trapper Mike Donovan ?
A side warning, this was kind of.. graphic. I mean, not worse than a western, but it isn't Gentle Ben either.

[Cole]

Great book but it is a hard read and is boring at some parts but otherwise its pretty good

[Adriana]

Walt Morey was my great grandfather, my parents gave me the middle name Morey in his honor. He died when I was young; so, sadly, I remember very little of him. My father remembers him sitting at his desk with a typewriter poking away at the keys. I am embarrassed to admit that I had not read his books until now. I decided it is time I finally get into gear and read them.

After reading so many elementary-level books this one is a nice change of pace. Death Walk is more young-adult-level reading with slightly darker material. There are some good unexpected twists and turns in the plot I appreciated after the predictable, elementary-level readings. A great story of perseverance and the importance of good character.

[Raechel]

17 year old Joe Rogers tags along with a friend, Ross, who is flying to the Alaskan frontier. When Ross is murdered and the plane's gas tank explodes Joe is left to fend for himself. He becomes severely injured and is taken in by a grumpy trapper, Mike Donovan. At this time it is the middle of a brutally cold winter and Mike refuses to take Joe on the 200 mile walk to salvation. During his time with Mike the pair encounters 2 dangerous and armed men, Emmit and Hank. This book focuses on survival and has a murder mystery. It kept me very intrigued and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading mysteries or suspenseful books.

[Naomi McCullough]

Along the same lines of Canyon Winter, but with higher stakes.

After being a witness to a murder and lost in the wilderness, Joel is picked up by a reticent trapper. They end up trusting each other, but it isn't long before there's trouble and Joel has to cross two-hundred miles of wilderness with his enemies following.
This one had more life and death in it, and grimmer consequences.

[Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev]

When I was a teenager, this was my all-time favorite book. Ever.

[Stewart]

I LOVED this book. When I was younger I reread it many times.

[Chrissy]

THis was a very quick paced book. OUtdoor Alaska adventures! I dont want to spoil the book, but definalty worth reading. Loved the characters, not enough I can say about this book!

[Sandra Strange]

A 17 year old gets trapped in wilderness Alaska, where he must confront nature and evil men and learn about manhood and sacrifice from a remote trapper.

[Peter]

I don't remember anything about this except that it was my favorite book as a kid.