Long Spikes: A Story

By Jim Arnosky

Long Spikes, a deer who is orphaned as a yearling, grows to maturity and displaces the old one-eyed buck from his dominant position. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395588308
• ISBN13: 9780395588307
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 90 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 6.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

An engaging tale told from a unique perspective

Kudos to the author for not giving human attributes to the animals! What you have instead is a story told from "the animal's point of view." Long Spikes is a young buck, orphaned at an early age. The story spans roughly a year of his life, and we watch his instincts awaken as he learns to live on his own. Deer, beavers, bobcats, coyotes, and crows are featured prominently. The author does an excellent job showing how these animals depend on - and challenge - each other for survival. As Long Spikes matures, he learns how to stay out of trouble, pick his fights carefully, and conserve and rejuvenate for the tough months ahead. This book captured my son's attention, and he literally did not put it down until he was finished. He wants to read more books by Jim Arnosky. I read the book too, and was left with a sense of affection and respect for Long Spikes. This is a great choice for kids 10 and older, especially those fascinated by what goes on in the woods.