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Julie of the Wolves #3.1
Nutik, the Wolf Pup
In an Eskimo village at the top of the world lived a little boy whose name was Amaroq. Named for the great wolf leader who saved the life of his big sister, Julie, Amaroq loved wolves as much as his big sister did. One day Julie brings home a sickly wolf pup named Nutik for Amaroq to feed and tend. "Don't fall in love with Nutik," Julie warns, "or your heart will break when the wolves come to take their pup home." Amaroq feeds and cares for Nutik, and soon the fuzzy little pup is romping and playing and following Amaroq everywhere. Amaroq and Nutik become best friends, but soon it's time for Nutik to rejoin his wolf family. Will Amaroq be strong like the great wolf leader he was named after and be able to let Nutik go? In this adventure-first told in Julie's Wolf Pack, sequel to the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves Jean Craighead George brings the Arctic world of Julie and her family to a picturebook audience.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2000
About the author
Jean Craighead George
201 books1,580 followersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 22, 2017
To see this week's children's books, please visit https://readrantrockandroll.com/2017/...
A boy named Amaroq is introduced to a wolf pup named Nutik after his sister finds the sick pup and brings him home for care. Amaroq is responsible for caring for Nutik and his sister tells him from the start not to get attached because he’ll be leaving to return to his old pack once he’s stronger. Amaroq can’t help himself and Nutik becomes his best friend. Follow along in the story to see if Amaroq can remain brave when the time comes for Nutik to move on.
This book is part of our curriculum this week as we’re learning about wolves in the wild. The illustrations felt so authentic to us and it’s no wonder after reading that the illustrator, Ted Rand, traveled to Alaska to observe the arctic tundra first hand. It’s visually stunning and the story is powerful and emotional at the same time. 5*****
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Library Binding: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 9, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060281650
ISBN-13: 978-0060281656
A boy named Amaroq is introduced to a wolf pup named Nutik after his sister finds the sick pup and brings him home for care. Amaroq is responsible for caring for Nutik and his sister tells him from the start not to get attached because he’ll be leaving to return to his old pack once he’s stronger. Amaroq can’t help himself and Nutik becomes his best friend. Follow along in the story to see if Amaroq can remain brave when the time comes for Nutik to move on.
This book is part of our curriculum this week as we’re learning about wolves in the wild. The illustrations felt so authentic to us and it’s no wonder after reading that the illustrator, Ted Rand, traveled to Alaska to observe the arctic tundra first hand. It’s visually stunning and the story is powerful and emotional at the same time. 5*****
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Library Binding: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 9, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060281650
ISBN-13: 978-0060281656
August 14, 2024
I’m fine 🥲
May 29, 2018
I seem to be doing this thing lately where I pick up a book and discover, partway through, that it's a sequel or companion to something else that I've heard of but haven't read. That's what happened here. I realized by the second page that this clearly part of the Julie of the Wolves series. I've had the series on my TBR list for years, but have never gotten around to it. Guess what's moving to the top of my list! Luckily, this works as a standalone title, and I enjoyed it. Perhaps not much depth of character, but I suppose that's to be expected from a supplemental (and picture book version) like this one.
November 22, 2019
Julie of the Wolves and her little brother raise two orphaned wolf pups, understanding that when they can survive in the wild, they will return to live as wolves. But! Jean Craighead George apparently decided that it is just too sad for a little boy to have to give up something he really loves, so Nutik the Wolf Pup decides to give up the wolf pack and spend the rest of his life as a human's pet.
August 20, 2019
Very sweet. I have never read Julie of the Wolves, so I have no idea how much it would add, but this worked fine as a stand-alone. Affectionate, emotional, and warm story of a boy and a wolf cub who bond.
October 19, 2017
Awwwww
August 15, 2021
In 1974, my 4th grade teacher (Mrs. Stroup) read "Julie of the Wolves" aloud to the entire class and I fell in love with this author.
I found this to be a fantastic companion story.
I found this to be a fantastic companion story.
October 31, 2023
A very sweet story.
March 26, 2026
A continuation of the 'Julie of the Wolves' series.
August 10, 2023
This book makes me cry every time I read it.
It’s a beautiful story.
It’s a beautiful story.
February 26, 2015
Nutik, the Wolf Pup is about 30 pages long with a handful of sentences per page. The main characters of this book are Amaroq, a young Eskimo boy, and Nutik, a sick wolf pup. Amaroq gets Nutik when the wolf is young and sick, and it is his job to take care of him and make him better. His sister warns him "don't fall in love," but obviously that's exactly what happens. The wolf and the boy grow together and become very close in the process, doing absolutely everything together. Eventually, Nutik's wolf pack calls for him to return, but Amaroq runs with Nutik as far away as he can so he does not have to leave. After a while, Nutik did have to leave and Amaroq is extremely sadden by this. The next day Nutik actually returns to stay with Amaroq and the the wolves howl in approval. The illustrations are typically double page with vivid water colors along with colored pencils to depict small detail. The illustrator does a great job of showing the environment and culture of Eskimos with white on the ground and rich pinks and oranges in the sky, along with dark blues lit by the moon at night. This story does an great job at teaching the interdependence of human and animal, respect for the wild, and the importance of nature. The relationship between Amaroq and Nutik is one that comparable to a dog and owner, so the human to animal relationship is positive for students.
This book would be a great book to use if a student just got a new pet at home. Or even if a student encounters an animal outside and wants to keep it but can't. It provides quite a few teachable moments based on small events for students, but I don't think it would tie into many lesson plans beyond teaching about Eskimos.
This book would be a great book to use if a student just got a new pet at home. Or even if a student encounters an animal outside and wants to keep it but can't. It provides quite a few teachable moments based on small events for students, but I don't think it would tie into many lesson plans beyond teaching about Eskimos.
February 27, 2009
Genre- Picture book
Reading Level- K-3
Topic and Themes- A young boy grows attached to a wolf pup. Love and struggles of letting go when needed
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Taking care of an animal when it needs help
Literary Element- A young boy cares for a sickly wolf pup and becomes very attached. Then it comes time for the wolf pup to go back to the pack.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to tell the story.
Summary- "Nutik, the Wolf Pup", by Jean Craighead George, illustrations by Ted Rand. This is an excellent story of a young eskimo boy (Amaroq) whose family takes in two sickly wolf pups. Amaroq's sister Julie, was saved by the wolves when she was lost and starving. Julie is able to communicate with the wolves and she lets them know that when the pups are fat and healthy she will return them to the pack. She warns Amaroq not to fall in love with the pups because one day they will go back to the pack. The day comes when the wolves call Nutik back to the pack. This story has a twist at the end. You'll need to read to find out what happens, but I think this book deserves the I Love you award. The story shows how a young boy even though he thought of himself as strong was not able to deny falling in love. This book would make an excellent read aloud. Children love stories with animals in them. As Taberski states, it is important to pick "just right" books (Taberski, 2000).
Reading Level- K-3
Topic and Themes- A young boy grows attached to a wolf pup. Love and struggles of letting go when needed
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Taking care of an animal when it needs help
Literary Element- A young boy cares for a sickly wolf pup and becomes very attached. Then it comes time for the wolf pup to go back to the pack.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to tell the story.
Summary- "Nutik, the Wolf Pup", by Jean Craighead George, illustrations by Ted Rand. This is an excellent story of a young eskimo boy (Amaroq) whose family takes in two sickly wolf pups. Amaroq's sister Julie, was saved by the wolves when she was lost and starving. Julie is able to communicate with the wolves and she lets them know that when the pups are fat and healthy she will return them to the pack. She warns Amaroq not to fall in love with the pups because one day they will go back to the pack. The day comes when the wolves call Nutik back to the pack. This story has a twist at the end. You'll need to read to find out what happens, but I think this book deserves the I Love you award. The story shows how a young boy even though he thought of himself as strong was not able to deny falling in love. This book would make an excellent read aloud. Children love stories with animals in them. As Taberski states, it is important to pick "just right" books (Taberski, 2000).
November 26, 2014
Interesting that an early 'tween book has a tie-in picture book, but "Nutik, the Wolf Pup" was written to stand alone, so perhaps it is more made for adult fans of the Julie series.
The overall story is moderately good, though perhaps the feel-good ending would not have been the best option. However, the story follows along with the events of "Julie's Wolf Pack," and so a deviation would have its own issues.
The artwork has a very organic feel that fits in well with the setting.
A good book to check out from the library to read to your little one, but perhaps too advanced for new readers. This would fit well in the collection of any little wolf lover, but is not a staple for most children's libraries.
The overall story is moderately good, though perhaps the feel-good ending would not have been the best option. However, the story follows along with the events of "Julie's Wolf Pack," and so a deviation would have its own issues.
The artwork has a very organic feel that fits in well with the setting.
A good book to check out from the library to read to your little one, but perhaps too advanced for new readers. This would fit well in the collection of any little wolf lover, but is not a staple for most children's libraries.
March 22, 2010
Nutik, the Wolf Pup By: Jean Craighead George ISBN: 0-06-028164-2, 2001.
In an Eskimo Village there was a boy named Amaroq. Amaroq’s sister Julie brought home a sick wolf pup for Amaroq to care for but warns him not to fall in love with Nutik because he will have to go back with his pack when he is well and fat. Soon Nutik is well and follows Amaroq everywhere, his pack comes to claim him but he has a choice to make…..He decides to stay with his human family.
**This book could be used in a lesson to teach the respect that Eskimos have towards the wolves living near their homes and how different their culture is from ours.
In an Eskimo Village there was a boy named Amaroq. Amaroq’s sister Julie brought home a sick wolf pup for Amaroq to care for but warns him not to fall in love with Nutik because he will have to go back with his pack when he is well and fat. Soon Nutik is well and follows Amaroq everywhere, his pack comes to claim him but he has a choice to make…..He decides to stay with his human family.
**This book could be used in a lesson to teach the respect that Eskimos have towards the wolves living near their homes and how different their culture is from ours.
June 7, 2012
George, J.C. (2001). Nutik, the wolf pup. USA: Harper Collins Publishers. Unp. Ages 7 and up.
When his sister, Julie, brings Amaroq a little wolf pup to take care of, she warns him not to fall in love because his new pup, Nutik cannot stay; he must return to his pack when he is older. In a heartwarming story of friendship, Nutik and Amaroq grow to be brothers and must make a difficult decision when the wolves come to take Nutik home. Accompanied by colorful and descriptive illustrations, this book is a wonderful continuation of Julie of the Wolves.
Related Activity: Include in a study on wolves along with Julie of the Wolves
When his sister, Julie, brings Amaroq a little wolf pup to take care of, she warns him not to fall in love because his new pup, Nutik cannot stay; he must return to his pack when he is older. In a heartwarming story of friendship, Nutik and Amaroq grow to be brothers and must make a difficult decision when the wolves come to take Nutik home. Accompanied by colorful and descriptive illustrations, this book is a wonderful continuation of Julie of the Wolves.
Related Activity: Include in a study on wolves along with Julie of the Wolves
May 21, 2009
This is an interesting book to read about the close relationship between a boy and the wolf pup he raises. It has an authentic folk tale feel to it, with the illustrations, the descriptions of life in the arctic and the cultural traditions and relationship between the Inuit people and the creatures they interact with and environment in which they live.
April 25, 2011
This is a companion to the Julie stories, though the other books were quite a bit longer and more focused on Julie. This one is focused on Julie's little brother, Amaroq, who is named after the wolf from the earlier stories. It's a nice story.
July 18, 2011
I'm a sucker for bittersweet kids books with a lesson. My 8 year old son loved this book and so did I. He read a page. I read a page. (I wonder if he knows I got all the picture pages...Or perhaps he planned it that way.)
June 23, 2010
One of my favorite authors. One could start a child with this one and then when they are old enough, give them Julie of the Wolves.
May 14, 2014
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2014
Either he wasn't in the mood or age 4 is too young for this book. Will revisit another time.
January 2, 2016
Very sweet book.
February 3, 2017
Picture book part of the Julie of the wolves saga.
August 25, 2019
Sweet story taken from Julie's Wolf Pack and beautifully illustrated for younger children.
April 20, 2017
Amaroq, whose older sister Julie was saved by a wolf pack in the chapter book Julie of the Wolves, raises a wolf pup, Nutik, with the intention of returning him to his pack. But can Amaroq and Nutik deny the connection between a boy and his dog?
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews