Summary: My Side of the Mountain is a coming-of-age story featuring Sam Gribley, who leaves his family’s crowded New York City apartment for his great-grandfather Gribley’s land. The bulk of the story takes place within the Catskill Mountains of New York, where Sam learns to survive off the land and make new friends– both animal and human. He grapples with internal and external conflicts, fighting not only the force of nature but also the struggle between wanting isolation and the companionship of others. Eventually, Sam’s life in the mountains meets a challenge he can’t escape. Sam’s growth throughout the book creates a satisfying, heartfelt, and engaging coming-of-age story.
Opinion: This book is a wonder to come back to every time. To me, Sam’s adventure represents a growing desire for independence and finding identity as a teenager. His ambition for self-reliance materializes in his struggle to survive and fend for himself in the mountains. The book’s most compelling aspect is the element of survival. Sam must learn to gather food, cook, and make shelters to survive in the wilderness. This element inspires a sense of adventure and peril. The ending was unexpected and leaves room for interpretation. Some may find it disappointing but others may view it as a conclusion to his coming-of-age story. Overall, this book was an exciting tale of growth and struggle and I recommend it to those interested in nature, isolation, and identity.