On the Far Side of the Mountain

The mountain is important enough to make its way into the title of all three books in the series. What does the mountain itself symbolize? Use at least three specific examples from the story.

A coming-of-age story is a narrative that centers on the protagonist’s journey out of childhood and toward adulthood. How is this novel a coming-of-age story? What does growing up mean in the novel? What does maturity mean?

Analyze George’s incorporation of animals throughout the text. Sam has several animal companions yet hunts animals for food. How can these two seemingly opposite practices be reconciled?

Consider the narrative’s structural elements, such as point of view, the use of journal entries, and the hand-drawn illustrations sprinkled throughout the novel. How do these elements affect the reading experience?

Analyze the female characters. How does George characterize the role of women in the outdoors? How do the philosophies, goals, and skills of the female characters compare to those of the male characters?

Compare and contrast Sam’s character with Bando’s, particularly in the context of their personal relationship and their different approaches to the natural world around them.

George’s novel also functions as an educational text with a wealth of pragmatic information. What topics does George educate the reader on? How does she do so without interrupting the progression of the narrative?

As a falcon, Frightful has no dialogue in the novel, but she still has a distinct personality. How would you describe that personality? And how does George communicate that personality without dialogue?