Children's Nonfiction Wolves & Coyotes
The Unlikely Hero
The Story of Wolf 8 (A Young Readers' Edition)
- Publisher
- Greystone Books Ltd
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2024
- Category
- Wolves & Coyotes, Zoology, Environmental Conservation & Protection
- Recommended Age
- 9 to 12
- Recommended Grade
- 4 to 7
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781778400223
- Publish Date
- Apr 2024
- List Price
- $24.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781778400230
- Publish Date
- Apr 2024
- List Price
- $11.99
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781778402845
- Publish Date
- Apr 2025
- List Price
- $12.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
"The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 is the gripping and true story of a small and scrappy young wolf who became the patriarch of the most powerful pack in Yellowstone National Park. … An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world." —ROSANNE PARRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A WOLF CALLED WANDER
“Reading Rick McIntyre’s books, it’s like you’re out there with him, seeing what he sees.” —LILLY SULLIVAN, THIS AMERICAN LIFE
The Unlikely Hero tells the action and adventure story of one of Yellowstone’s most famous animals, Wolf 8: a runt of the litter who surprised scientists by becoming a powerful leader.
Newly reintroduced along with his pack to Yellowstone National Park, Wolf 8 struggles at first. Small and bullied by his siblings, he must learn to fend for himself in his new home, learning to hunt, compete for food, and even stand up to a grizzly bear 10 times his size. One day, little 8 meets an alpha female raising a litter of pups on her own. Her mate was killed by humans. Can little 8 rise to the occasion and help the young family survive? Is he ready to be an alpha wolf?
Based on McIntyre’s own sightings of Wolf 8 and told in a thrilling style, The Unlikely Hero is an unforgettable adventure—and a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of wolves and a coming-of-age story for underdogs everywhere.
Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves Book Series!
Renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen join forces to bring the stories of Yellowstone's most famous wolves to young readers. Based on McIntyre's award-winning, bestselling books for adult readers, and containing a wealth of scientifically sound information on wolf behavior, this series is written in an engaging style that brings the drama and intrigue of the wolves' world to life.
About the authors
Rick McIntyre has spent more than forty-four years watching wolves in America’s national parks, twenty-eight of those years in Yellowstone, and has written several books about the wolves for adult readers. To learn more visit rickmcintyrebooks.com.
David A. Poulsen has been a broadcaster, teacher, professional cowboy, football coach, stage and film actor and—most of all—writer. His writing career began in earnest when his story The Welcomin’ won the 1984 Alberta Culture Short Story Competition. Now the author of 27 books, many for middle readers and young adults, David spends 60 to 80 days a year in classrooms and libraries across Canada (and beyond) as a visiting author/presenter. The UBC Creative Writing alumnus and former Writer in Residence at the Saskatoon Public Library recently made his inaugural foray into the world of adult crime fiction with Serpents Rising, the best-selling first book in the Cullen and Cobb Mystery series. There are now four titles in the series and the fourth—None So Deadly—hit bookstores in the spring of 2019. The Man Called Teacher, coming in 2019, is his first adult western. David lives on a small ranch in Alberta’s foothills where he and his wife Barb raise and train running-bred quarter horses for barrel racing competitions.
Editorial Reviews
"The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 is the gripping and true story of a small and scrappy young wolf who became the patriarch of the most powerful pack in Yellowstone National Park. … An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world."
—Rosanne Parry, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Wolf Called Wander
“Harrowing and heartwarming…. narrated in approachable, engrossing prose and interspersed with first-person reminiscences, offers an in-depth look into the life of one of Yellowstone's most famous wolves…..educates readers on the dangers wolves face, but they also tell an underdog story, setting out to prove that 'even the smallest individual can be a big hero.'"
—Cade Williams, Shelf Awareness
“Lets readers see inside the animals’ minds and feel their experiences.”
—Youth Services Book Review
“Readers will feel as if they’re watching the games, hunts and other incidents from within the pack….Notable."
—Kirkus
“The first in an exciting new series….insightful and moving.”
—Booklist STARRED Review
