Northwind
April 20, 2024
When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to “the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.” With hints of Nordic mythology and an irresistible narrative pull, Northwind is Gary Paulsen at his captivating, adventuresome best.
Normally I like Gary Paulsen books, but after getting 25% into the book I just wasn’t all that interested in it. His other books are great How Angel Peterson Got His Name is a Favorite in our house. And don’t forget his most popular book Hatchet.