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My Side of the Mountain

by Jean George

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Characters: Sam Gribley

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Sam Gribley, a perceptive and resolute teenager, is the central figure in My Side of the Mountain. Raised in a large family of eleven in New York City, he cherishes his solitude and autonomy. His mother, who formerly worked as a dietician at a children's hospital, and his father, a former sailor now employed at the docks, support Sam's venture into self-sufficient living.

In the wilderness, Sam's closest companions are Frightful, a trained peregrine falcon; Jesse Coon James, a raccoon; and Baron Weasel. These animals become his friends, offering protection and companionship.

During his year in the wild, Sam mostly avoids human contact but does form a few significant friendships. One is Miss Turner, a librarian who helps him find the old farmstead and even gives him a haircut with her library scissors. Another is Bando, a college English professor who gets lost while hiking in the mountains. Bando spends ten days with Sam in the summer and returns for Christmas; he crafts willow whistles and fires clay pots for blueberry jam. Sam also befriends a boy who works at the drugstore, known to Sam as "Mr. Jacket." By the year's end, this boy, whose real name is Tom Sidler, becomes a frequent weekend visitor to the woods.

Other characters include Bill, a kindly old man who teaches Sam to start a fire with flint and steel; ninety-seven-year-old Mrs. Thomas Fielder, who insists Sam pick strawberries for her; the fire warden, curious about Sam's fires; deer poachers and other hunters; Aaron, a hiker from New York who visits the Catskills during Passover; and Matt Spell, a young reporter from a New York newspaper who writes an article about Sam.

The book explores themes of independence versus the need for relationships, the roots of loneliness, critiques society's disregard for privacy, and questions whether individuals can "live in America today and be quietly different." It also highlights the joy and feasibility of living in harmony with nature. Sam's daily activities are inventive and resourceful; he approaches challenges with practical wisdom and determination.

Expert Q&A

In My Side of the Mountain, why does Sam decide to run away from home?

Sam decides to leave home because he finds his crowded living situation unbearable and wants the freedom and adventure of living in nature. His father permits the venture, believing Sam will return quickly. Sam also seeks to prove himself capable of living off the land, inspired by his family's ancestral property in the Catskills and his father's own brief attempt to run away.

In My Side of the Mountain, what does Sam's winter warmth solution reveal about him?

Sam's solution for winter warmth demonstrates his problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. Living in a hollow tree in the Catskills, he adapts by constructing a fireplace using a clay pot technique and learns from mistakes, such as ensuring proper ventilation. Additionally, he crafts warm clothing from rabbit fur and deerskin, showcasing his ability to utilize available resources. This reflects his adaptability and ingenuity in surviving the harsh winter conditions.

What are the character traits of Sam in My Side of the Mountain?

Sam Gribley is characterized by his independence, determination, and resourcefulness as he survives alone in the mountains. His ability to follow through with his plans highlights his determination, while his interactions with others, like Bando, show his friendliness and cordial nature. Sam is also a creative thinker, using minimal tools to sustain himself, and he demonstrates humility by seeking help when necessary, such as asking Miss Turner for assistance.

What did Sam learn about woodland animals by the end of his Halloween party in My Side of the Mountain?

By the end of his Halloween party, Sam learns that woodland animals do not understand human party etiquette. His attempt to share food with them leads to chaos, as many animals come solely for the food, ignoring politeness and even invading his tree-house. A skunk sprays him, and Sam must act aggressively to regain control. He concludes with the lesson, "Don't feed wild animals!" reflecting on the challenges of interacting with them.

In My Side of the Mountain, why does Sam hide the deer from the hunters?

Sam kills three deer. He hides the first one in a tree. He hides the second one – and this is the one that gets me every time – in a hollow log near his tent. And then he goes into town with Birdseye, the fox he had been training. Sam leaves him outside while he goes into the general store to buy supplies. When Birdseye hears a hunter nearby, he starts to bark! Sam has to rush out and wrestle him back into submission before anyone sees him and recognizes Birdseye as Sam’s pet fox. He uses these three deer to make clothes and meat for winter, but there are so many more adventures ahead of him!

What happened when Sam noticed his trained falcon was sick in My Side of the Mountain?

When Sam noticed his trained falcon, Frightful, was sick, he discovered that the lack of proper ventilation in his tree-room was the cause. The fireplace he built consumed all the oxygen, leaving Frightful affected by carbon dioxide fumes. Realizing this, Sam quickly opened the flap to let in cold air and later knocked out knotholes in the walls to improve ventilation. This incident highlights Sam's continuous problem-solving efforts while living in the wilderness.

Sam Gribley's Experiences and Challenges in "My Side of the Mountain"

In My Side of the Mountain, Sam Gribley faces challenges such as isolation, harsh weather, and unwanted attention from the outside world. In the winter, he manages to survive a blizzard by stockpiling wood and relying on his trained falcon, Frightful, for food. He encounters various animals, including a raccoon named Jessie Coon James and a weasel named Baron, which become his companions. Sam's father visits, bringing the family to live with him, highlighting the tension between his desire for solitude and family ties.

Sam's naming of his animal friends in "My Side of the Mountain."

In "My Side of the Mountain," Sam names his animal friends to create a sense of companionship and familiarity. This practice helps him cope with the isolation of living alone in the wilderness, fostering emotional connections with the animals around him.

Sam's experiences and challenges with animal trapping in "My Side of the Mountain."

In "My Side of the Mountain," Sam faces various challenges with animal trapping, including learning to set traps effectively and dealing with the ethical dilemmas of taking animal lives. He overcomes these obstacles through trial and error, developing both practical skills and a deeper understanding of the natural world around him.

Sam's motivations for returning to the woods and wanting to be found in My Side of the Mountain

Sam's motivations for returning to the woods in My Side of the Mountain stem from his desire for independence and solitude, where he can live in harmony with nature. However, his wish to be found later indicates his longing for human connection and the realization that he cannot live completely isolated from society.

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