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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.