Malu's Wolf
Grade 5-8?With dramatic flair and inventive description, Craig brings to life the Stone Age world of a young girl. Malu's clan is governed by traditions that define the duties of men and women and by taboos that punish social irresponsibility and ban cohabitation with animals. Malu, a force for change, secretly teaches herself to hunt with a spear and vows to the Moon Goddess to raise an orphaned wolf pup, Kono. Malu's nonconformity arouses the dislike of a young hunter, and Kono is sentenced to death for her aggression when she protects Malu from him. Desperate to save her beloved companion from an unjust end, Malu flees with Kono into a harsh winter wilderness. Rejecting the allure of howling wolves, Kono remains faithful to Malu, helping her to survive. When the fugitives discover the long-awaited herd of woolly mammoths, they risk informing the clan and are forgiven. Malu's story offers a plausible, entertaining hypothesis on Cro-Magnon life in southern Europe, the first domestication of dogs, and early women's liberation. Her world mirrors archaeological discoveries. Although this prehistoric clan communicates with surprising linguistic fluency, characters, customs, social interaction, and events ring true. The heroine is spirited, resourceful, and respectful. Her coming-of-age story will acquaint readers with survival skills that transcend the centuries.?Gerry Larson, Durham Magnet Center, Durham, NCCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.