My Side of the Mountain

Over the course of the book, Sam grows closer to nature through his bonds with animals, such as with Frightful, Jessie C. James, and The Baron. Discuss and give examples of the ways Sam learns to communicate with these animals and others alike.

Sam’s journey into the mountains illuminates the differences between city and country. What are some of the biggest differences that Sam notices between living in the city and living in the mountains?

While My Side of the Mountain is an adventure novel, it should also be considered a coming-of-age story. Sam Gribley grows and matures into a different person throughout the story. In what ways does Sam grow or mature? Discuss some examples in the story where we see Sam’s growth.

Many parts of the story are told through journal entries, notes, and images that Sam creates during his adventure. Choose a few examples of this technique and explain how they’re important for telling the story.

The burning of Sam’s original clothing symbolizes his detachment from city life. What other scenes or moments from the story best represent Sam distancing himself from his old life?

Prior to setting out on his adventure, Sam reads a number of books about nature and survival. Discuss moments when these books adequately help Sam. Also discuss times when Sam must learn more than what these survival books teach him.

My Side of the Mountain often plays around with the idea of expectation versus reality. For instance, when Sam first sees Bando, he expects Bando to be a criminal. In reality, though, Sam finds out that Bando is a friendly English professor. What are other times in the story when Sam expects things to be one way but then they turn out differently?

At the end of the story, Sam accepts that his entire family has come to live with him permanently. What has Sam proved to himself after spending a year living alone in the mountains?