A Wolf Called Fire

January 1, 2025

Gr 4-6-Warm, the smallest and most nurturing member of a wolf pack, is forced to flee with his younger siblings when a rival pack attacks, killing their mother and father. Unaccustomed to being in charge, he discovers that his unique blend of talents make him aptly fit for a leadership role. But when Warm learns that other members of his pack have been assimilated by the enemy wolves, he embarks on a quest to rescue them. In doing so he discovers unexpected allies and important truths about himself. Middle schoolers will instantly identify with Warm. He gets pushed around a lot, is always hungry, and worries about finding his place. The book is notable in that it builds positive boy culture: rather than addressing the old trope of boys having a "nurturing side," it identifies nurturing (warmth) as a value in and of itself, a virtue to be celebrated. Though this is billed as a stand-alone novel, it offers an additional perspective on the events that take place in A Wolf Called Wander, as well as a refreshing approach to leadership, and reaches depths that book only probed. VERDICT This wolf tale presents a diversity of ideologies and perspectives, all of which are sure to help readers reflect on where and how they fit into the world. Highly recommended.-Benjamin Ludwig

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2024
A wolf cub charts his own path to pack leadership. In this novel based on the life of a real wolf who was brought to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 as part of a conservation project, a young cub named Warm reckons with not being the biggest, strongest, or loudest at howling among his littermates. When an attack by another pack leaves him to care for a set of younger siblings--Leap, Snap, Quiver, and Yowl--Warm struggles to keep the cubs alive despite never having made a killing blow of his own. Even as his survival skills are tested, Warm develops a uniquely compassionate outlook that helps him navigate the recombination of packs and other dangers. Parry's short sentences create a quickly moving story with deep emotional currents. The immediacy of Warm's first-person voice and the abundant sensory descriptions pull readers right into the animals' world, though the large cast of wolves can be difficult to keep track of. Armi�o's numerous, beautifully detailed black-and-white illustrations add ample emotion and dynamic movement. Environmentally conscious readers, animal lovers, and those with a taste for nonfiction will be thrilled by the extensive backmatter, which includes a darling hand-drawn map of Warm's journey as well as photos and abundant information on wolf biology, recovery efforts, and the ecology of the American West. An exciting and thoughtful portrait inspired by a real animal who succeeded by being different. (author's note, resources)(Fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2025
This companion volume to A Wolf Called Wander gives Warm, the beloved wolf brother of Swift, his own voice and tale. Warm is small and gentle, a watcher by nature and an unlikely hero for a survival story, but, as his wise mother maintains, "Big is not the only good thing for a wolf to be." In the opening chapters we follow Warm in his first year, and Parry sticks closely to realistic wolf behavior and biology, creating a plain and rhythmical language that balances the familiar and the strange. Warm says of his siblings in the den, "I know them all by sound and smell and their lifebeats are always near me." When the family is attacked by a hostile wolf pack and Warm must learn to rely on his own resources, the tone of the narrative changes, becoming more fablelike, a story in which our own human dilemmas are all too familiar. Warm's pack has all the usual family squabbles, but they survive by cooperation. The hostile pack is strictly hierarchical, with pack leaders maintaining their positions through intimidation and cruelty. A suspenseful, dramatic plot spins above the big grounding question of how we can survive and live with one another with respect and consideration. Dynamic illustrations along with extensive back matter (including essays on wolf biology, animal tracks, forest ecology, and youth climate activism) make for an appealing presentation. Sarah Ellis

(Copyright 2025 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

February 1, 2025
Grades 3-6 From the start, Warm struggles to find his place in his wolf pack. A runt with siblings who seem stronger and more adept, he is watchful and hesitant. That is, until he is thrust into the role of caretaker of the pack's pups after enemy wolves drive his family in separate directions while attempting to take over their territory. Can he keep these little furballs safe as he works to return them to their home? During this tale of self-discovery and growth, readers will root for this underdog who proves his mettle, leading in his own unique way. Based on an actual wolf, this stand-alone companion to A Wolf Called Wander (2019) is a worthy addition to Parry's Voice of the Wilderness novels. Her use of first-person dialogue shows Warm as a relatable hero, as well as convincingly shares the perils of the pack, each member being uniquely presented. Armi�o's detailed black-and-white illustrations are charming, full of realism and personality, making this a winsome package for young readers who love wildlife adventures. Another winner from a proven author.

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