Every kid thinks about running away at one point or another; few get farther than the end of the block. Young Sam Gribley gets to the end of the block and keeps going--all the way to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with a falcon and a weasel as his companions, and his wits as his tool for survival. In a spellbinding, touching, funny account, Sam learns to live off the land, and grows up a little in the process. Blizzards, hunters, loneliness and fear all battle to drive Sam back to city life. But his desire for freedom, independence and adventure are stronger. No reader will be immune to the compulsion to go right out and start whittling fishhooks and befriending raccoons. Jean Craighead George, author of many popular books for children, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves, created another prizewinner with My Side of the Mountain: a Newbery Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book and a Hans Christian Anderson Award Honor Book. Her rustic natural drawings lend authenticity and interest to the already remarkable story. This gift set includes George's captivating sequel, On the Far Side of the Mountain. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter