Buck was a show dog living the life every dog wants to live. Well cared for, loved, great home and family. To be sold into a life of horror.

He was beaten but he was not broken. He learned from man the primitive law of surviving the only way you can.

Buck had been with a man named John who did treat him kindly. John tried to give Buck a nice life.

Yet the years of fighting with other dogs, killing other animals, running with wild dogs in a pack all made Buck forget he had be a companion pet at one time.

And when John had been murdered, Buck went crazy killing the murderers and from that day on he listened to the call of the wild.

I read this book in junior high. It was a book I loved, but hated. I could never understand then how folks could mistreat an animal and to this day I still can't.

I suggest every child and adult read this book. I know it was one that changed my life and understanding animals better.

Pros: well written, can make you cry, be mad, excited all in one book

Cons: none

I think every single person needs to read Call of the Wild by Jack London. It brings to heart that folks can be cruel to animals, yet some folks do try and be kind. It also shows that if we humans do not do right by an animal, that animal can turn against us in the end.

Call of the Wild was one I read in school.

Pros: wonderful story

Cons: can make you cry and upset

I read this book a long time ago. It is a great story and I would recommend it to everyone.

Pros: none

Cons: none

I first picked up this book when I was in third grade. I pretty much picked up any book with a dog on the cover, but I found myself really enjoying this one. I liked that it was written for adults and didn't pander to kids- it challenged me and I enjoyed every minute of Buck's story.
It remains one of my favorite books to this day.

Pros: All

Cons: The ending is kinda bittersweet

Of course this is a classic, and is another that should be required reading..it's well written, suspenseful with some heartrending and poignant moments. Might be a tad too strong for some small children tho, like the Old Yeller tale.

Pros: good look at harsh arctic life

Cons: might be scary for small kids