A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry is part of the Voice from the Wilderness series based on true stories about actual animals. A Wolf Called Wander is one such story inspired by a wolf called Journey “who traveled a remarkable 1,000 miles across the Pacific Northwest.” As the story opens, the main character is just a pup known as Swift. He is exploring his world and learning his place within the pack. For about the first third of the book, the story centers around Swift and his family pack life as he learns to hunt, displays his ability to run faster than the others, and develops a strong desire to one day lead his own pack and family. Of the many members within the pack, the one closest to him is his brother Warm.

One day an intruding pack seeks to rival and kill off their pack. Swift’s mother runs away with a new litter, his older brother seeks to fight, and everyone essentially scatters or is killed. Swift stays long enough to fight and defend what he can, but he loses any sense of hope when he hears his father’s final death howl. His father’s final words, “Carry on. Carry on. Carry on” (44) echo in the air and in his heart as runs the mountain seeking survival. For several chapters, much is unknown of Swift’s family as he wanders, leaving a possible trail for Warm, and attempts to take down an Elk on his own that almost kills him. He befriends a Raven or maybe rather a Raven befriends him and Swift slowly recovers.

As he travels, he does encounter some rogue wolves and seeks to gain entry to their pack and recent kill. However, as a bright light in this moment, he discovers Warm and their reunion is sweet but short lived as hunters appear and kill the wolves eating and seek after them. Eventually, they are separated once again and Swift is heartbroken to have lost Warm again and what he also believes is his death by the hunters. Continuing in desperation as he wanders and tries to sustain himself, Swift also comes across a dog which confuses him, but he doesn’t stay too long when a man with a rifle appears. Swift then comes across a female wolf that delights him, but he is fearful for her to cross a dangerous “black river” AKA a road, so he warns her off, much to his sadness.

If all of this wasn’t too much tragedy, Swift also survives a forest fire that does eventually bring him back in contact with the she wolf he noticed earlier and the story ends with the two of them becoming a family and the birth of his own set of pups. In his interactions with the she wolf for the second time, she is known as Night and he says to her that he is called Wander - marking his full transformation and his completed journey and aspiration to lead his own family. In all his travels, his father’s lived example and message to “Carry On” has led him to the end of the story and his new path.

Noteworthy quotes/ mentions:

“All creatures eat and all are eaten in the end, but I am not ready to be eaten, not today.”
“Men are the worst of all dangers. . . Men do things with no reason.”
“A lead wolf feeds his pack,”
“I want to be a wolf like my father for this new wolf. I have not even met her, and already I want to take care of her. Hunt for her. Protect her” (196).

This story is perfect for readers who love animal stories and stories from their perspectives. Additionally, there are wonderful illustrations throughout the story that enhance the narration and plot. Parents will be glad to know that there isn’t any profanity or anything unsavory. There are also strong themes about leadership and family especially as Swift continually seeks to follow and live out the example set for him by his father, which are great messages for young readers.

A Wolf Called Wander

The Candymakers

Warrenton, VA