One of our Books of the Year 2016 | October 2016 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: jungle survival in the footsteps of Mowgli | More than 120 years after publication of The Jungle Book, and following the new live action film version, Bear Gryll’s adventure story sends a modern boy alone into the Indian jungle. Mak seems an unlikely survival hero: we know he’s not the jungle type and is bullied at school. But he’s adopted by a female wolf and quickly learns to accept the jungle, not fight it. Like Mowgli, he forms friendships with a bear and panther, and is attacked by a pack of vicious monkeys but comes up against poachers too. It’s thrilling stuff, and extra details only Grylls can provide, e.g. that termites have a citrus tang when you crunch them (it’s the formic acid) give it a very authentic feel. There are more adventures for Mak promised, good news for readers.
Josh Lacey writes excellent page-turning boys’ own adventures and Steve Backshall’s books are also full of excitement. ~ Andrea Reece
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