The Wolf is an example of what I mean by children's books being amazing in their complexity and simplicity. It's the simple story of two teenagers who live in the Australian outback on sheep farms, who come together one memorable day to find the wild dog -- or perhaps it's a wolf? -- that they hear howling at night. It's not a very long book -- it's written in free verse and took me a lunch hour to read -- but it packs a pretty big punch. So much happens in the story with so few words it is amazing. Herrick's spare style realistically conveys Lucy's isolation from her family and Jake's closeness to his.The conclusion is satisfying without being didactical or cloying. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this Australian author.
2006, PA: Front Street
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