A young female wolf, transplanted from her Canadian home to Yellowstone Park, “roams, like a castaway, in a land that is pure unknown.” After an unsuccessful elk hunt, she howls in a way that would have once drawn her family to her, but now is answered only by an owl’s hoot. Seasons pass and the wolf grows into a two-year-old adult, fully integrated into her Yellowstone habitat. She meets a male, and the two become a mated pair, producing a litter of pups and the start of their own family pack. This first-rate text conveys drama without anthropomorphizing the wolves, while the watercolor, pen, and pencil illustrations capture the beauty of the animals and the setting. A concise author’s note provides background context with a summary of the wolf reintroduction program at Yellowstone. In fact, the wolves of the story are modeled after Female 7 and Male 2, the founders of the Leopold Pack, the first naturally formed wolf pack in Yellowstone following reintroduction. (Ages 5–9)

A real-life story of adaptation and survival.

Acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle and celebrated artist Alan Marks team up for the fifth time in this fascinating real-life story of a wolf and her pack.

Years ago, an effort had been made to eliminate wolves from Yellowstone National Park. Recently, conservationists decided to reintroduce the animal to the area, relocating wolves from Canada. Family Pack introduces readers to Female 7 and Male 2, the founders of the Leopold wolf pack--the first naturally formed pack after the relocation effort.

Readers follow Female 7 as she sets out on her own upon her release to the 2.2-million-acre area that is Yellowstone. Without the comfort of her mother or other wolves, the young female grows and learns to feed, hunt, and survive in her new home. Eventually, she crosses paths with Male 2, and the wolves form a family of their own.

Back matter includes more information about wolves, a bibliography, and an author's note about the Leopold pack and the importance of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone, restoring the natural balance.