This book is contagious! I started reading the book slowly because I love history, especially about Native Americans and their cultural beliefs. I did not know much about the Algonquin people, and I learned more than in any history class. The author brilliantly weaves the cultural beliefs with a natural setting while making the reader feel they are with the main character escaping his civility. The vivid descriptions of the spirit animals (Manitous) and their protective nature are attractive to any reader who understands the Native American belief of Manitous. Anyone who reads this book will gain knowledge of the cultural beliefs of a remarkable native tribe and a spine-tingling adventure story of a young boy trying to find his way through life.

The first book in a new series is always a little slower paced than the books that follow. Sort of like an introduction to a party, you have to build up knowledge of the characters and the community while setting the hook for the plot line. As such, VALLEY OF THE WOLVES is a winner. The first book of a planned 4 book arch has a strong feel of the young man who is learning of the world outside his comfort zone at the same time he is grieving for the only true friend he had. As he travels further into the forest surroundings, he finds he is not alone. The spiritual guides that watch over their section of the world must decide if this young man will be accepted or rejected. Definitely a series to follow.

This was a beautifully crafted and very educational read. The main themes of finding belonging, the importance of keeping connections with the past, and the value of nature were weaved fantastically throughout the prose. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this because I didn't really know anything about the indiginous people of Canada but this was a very valuable insight about them and was informative as well as a lovely read.

Moving from group home to foster home wore heavily on Josh. He longed to be free and disappear in the Laurentian mountains of his ancestors. His only true friend is a dying Algonquin who is teaching him the old ways.

He is very proficient with a canoe, escapes on a foggy night, and heads downstream to cross into Canada. He knows that the officials will be looking for him and will put him in a juvenile detention facility if he is caught.

Josh read all of the books he could find on wilderness survival, building traps, and foraging for edible foods and tubers. This is a great book for young scouts and others to read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

The first book in a new series that launches an enterprising and magnetic main character and a great start to the series.

NB: It does not appear to be on Barnes & Noble--could not leave a review there.