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Family Pack
A real-life story of adaptation and survival.
Acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle and celebrated artist Alan Marks team up for the fifth time in this fascinating real-life story of a wolf and her pack.
Years ago, an effort had been made to eliminate wolves from Yellowstone National Park. Recently, conservationists decided to reintroduce the animal to the area, relocating wolves from Canada. Family Pack introduces readers to Female 7 and Male 2, the founders of the Leopold wolf pack—the first naturally formed pack after the relocation effort.
Readers follow Female 7 as she sets out on her own upon her release to the 2.2-million-acre area that is Yellowstone. Without the comfort of her mother or other wolves, the young female grows and learns to feed, hunt, and survive in her new home. Eventually, she crosses paths with Male 2, and the wolves form a family of their own.
Back matter includes more information about wolves, a bibliography, and an author’s note about the Leopold pack and the importance of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone, restoring the natural balance.
Acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle and celebrated artist Alan Marks team up for the fifth time in this fascinating real-life story of a wolf and her pack.
Years ago, an effort had been made to eliminate wolves from Yellowstone National Park. Recently, conservationists decided to reintroduce the animal to the area, relocating wolves from Canada. Family Pack introduces readers to Female 7 and Male 2, the founders of the Leopold wolf pack—the first naturally formed pack after the relocation effort.
Readers follow Female 7 as she sets out on her own upon her release to the 2.2-million-acre area that is Yellowstone. Without the comfort of her mother or other wolves, the young female grows and learns to feed, hunt, and survive in her new home. Eventually, she crosses paths with Male 2, and the wolves form a family of their own.
Back matter includes more information about wolves, a bibliography, and an author’s note about the Leopold pack and the importance of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone, restoring the natural balance.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Markle
276 books92 followersSandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 17, 2017
Great picture book that teaches all about wolves!
February 17, 2011
This book captures the real-life story of wolves being reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. The focus of the story is one young female wolf who finds herself suddenly separated from her pack and alone in a new place. Her tracks are the only wolf tracks she sees, she is the only wolf she smells. Without a pack, she cannot hunt the way she is used to, so she survives mostly on mice. As she becomes an adult, she discovers another wolf, a male. The two of them become a mated pair and eventually have a family in Yellowstone. One lone wolf has created her own pack.
Markle’s verse in the book really shines, illuminating the loneliness of this young wolf’s new life, her troubles with hunting larger game, and her growth into an adult wolf. The poetry is filled with imagery that enlivens the book, making the cold and loneliness tangible to readers.
Marks’ illustrations are equally successful. He captures the setting beautifully from the towering trees to the wide open spaces. In his illustrations, Yellowstone becomes just as real as the wolf herself, almost another character in the story. The vistas and close-ups he has created here give readers a very unique perspective on the life of this wolf.
Highly recommended, this book will work well for slightly older children because of the depth of the verse. It will work well in units about preservation and ecology. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
Markle’s verse in the book really shines, illuminating the loneliness of this young wolf’s new life, her troubles with hunting larger game, and her growth into an adult wolf. The poetry is filled with imagery that enlivens the book, making the cold and loneliness tangible to readers.
Marks’ illustrations are equally successful. He captures the setting beautifully from the towering trees to the wide open spaces. In his illustrations, Yellowstone becomes just as real as the wolf herself, almost another character in the story. The vistas and close-ups he has created here give readers a very unique perspective on the life of this wolf.
Highly recommended, this book will work well for slightly older children because of the depth of the verse. It will work well in units about preservation and ecology. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
July 16, 2021
Engagingly written, beautiful illustrations, important.... Just enough back matter. I read it for Sandra Markle monthly theme in the Children's Books group here on GR.
March 29, 2016
Sandra Markle's Family Pack is about a female wolf who was taken from Canada to Yellowstone with her mother to help repopulate the species, but she didn't stay long. When the oppurtuity arose, she escaped the pen they put her in and roamed the land in search of a new place to call home.
This book was illustrated by Alan Marks who gave the images a realistic appearance. Even reading this story as an e-book on my computer, you can make out how detailed each image actually is. I wish there had been more interactive features though because I felt like some of the pages that didn't come to life should have, and when they didn't, they left me with a feeling of disappointment. I did however like that the images spread across both pages (double page spread) because it added to the effect that the wolf was on the lam in the great out doors.
Another thing I liked was the author's note at the end since it tells you more about the wolves featured in the story. In my opinion, stories are more interesting when the characters are real (non-fiction).
Unfortunately, I was unable to read what media was used for this e-book because the text was too small and the cite I went to doesn't seem to have a feature to zoom-in (I tried to do it manually but it was too blurry to read). The colors were beautifully crafted though.
This book was illustrated by Alan Marks who gave the images a realistic appearance. Even reading this story as an e-book on my computer, you can make out how detailed each image actually is. I wish there had been more interactive features though because I felt like some of the pages that didn't come to life should have, and when they didn't, they left me with a feeling of disappointment. I did however like that the images spread across both pages (double page spread) because it added to the effect that the wolf was on the lam in the great out doors.
Another thing I liked was the author's note at the end since it tells you more about the wolves featured in the story. In my opinion, stories are more interesting when the characters are real (non-fiction).
Unfortunately, I was unable to read what media was used for this e-book because the text was too small and the cite I went to doesn't seem to have a feature to zoom-in (I tried to do it manually but it was too blurry to read). The colors were beautifully crafted though.
January 25, 2017
This appealing nature book introduces the dynamics of a wolf family. It is likely to appeal to reluctant readers and would make a nice read-aloud.
Additional thoughts: While the presence of wolves in Yellowstone has undoubtedly been a boon to the park's ecosystem, there is controversy whether it has been good for the wolves themselves. Trapping and moving the wolves was traumatic in itself, and then they were released amongst howls of protest from ranching interests, who have gone on to persecute them mercilessly.
Additional thoughts: While the presence of wolves in Yellowstone has undoubtedly been a boon to the park's ecosystem, there is controversy whether it has been good for the wolves themselves. Trapping and moving the wolves was traumatic in itself, and then they were released amongst howls of protest from ranching interests, who have gone on to persecute them mercilessly.
May 14, 2011
Beautifully illustrated story about repopulating Yellowstone Park with wolves. A wolf cub is captured with her mother in Canada to be released in Yellowstone. When the pen is opened, the mother accepts a male wolf, but the cub does not. The cub wanders around Yellowstone, surviving, until she meets a wolf. They have cubs, and she is part of a wolf family again- her own.
August 8, 2011
Follows the reestablishment of wolves in Yellowstone - personalizing it by zooming in on one important female making her way. Pictures give a feel for the movement, feel, and soul of the animal. Nice book for a child going to the national park.
February 3, 2011
Well-written and beautifully illustrated nature book.
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September 9, 2016Could incorporate relocating animals, mating for older grades, food chain. More of an earth sciences type of book.
April 23, 2011
I liked that this was a true story! Great for classrooms studying ecology & nature.
October 7, 2012
I love the Canada US connection and that this is a true story from the wolf's perspective.
April 15, 2017
It comes full circle when Gray Wolves return to Yellowstone.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews