My Side of the Mountain

Twelve-year-old Sam Gribley, a devotee of Thoreau, decides to leave Toronto and test his ability to survive self-sufficiently in the Canadian woods. He hopes to pursue an algae experiment while living apart from modern life. His parents' cancelled summer trip becomes the catalyst for his departure.

He buys essential supplies at a local store, then hops on a bus and travels toward the Laurentian Mountains. He ends up in Knowlton, Quebec, far from the city he left. The journey marks the start of his self-reliant experiment.

In Knowlton, he discovers a perfect spot by a mountain stream and pond. He constructs a home inside an old dead tree, laying the groundwork for a secluded life. The location becomes the base for his algae work and daily routines.

He sets up a makeshift lab by the pond and starts testing algae growth and metabolism. The experiments symbolize his scientific curiosity and self-sufficiency. The work helps keep his mind engaged during solitude.

Wanting to learn more about falcons, he visits Knowlton's library where Miss Turner lends him books on falconry. The librarian's enthusiasm fuels his curiosity and hints at a practical skill he can pursue in the wild.

He secretly takes a chick from a local falcon's nest, then trains and feeds it at his tree home. The chick, whom he names Frightful, becomes both a companion and a crucial hunting ally.

A traveling folk singer named Bando arrives at Sam's location. They exchange survival tips, compare notes on living off the land, and bond over shared stories and pancakes.

The two form a friendship as they explore the mountain together. Bando explains he must leave before winter, and Sam faces the loneliness that comes with impending separation.

An insensitive hunter kills Frightful, devastating Sam. The loss underscores the dangers of the world beyond his isolated life. Sam's resolve remains, even as grief challenges him.

Winter arrives, and Sam adapts to the season with Gus at the tree home. He keeps the shelter warm with a clay chimney and watches wildlife play in the snow.

A fierce blizzard blankets the area, and Sam and Gus struggle with smoke-filled air and a trapped exit. Bando and Miss Turner arrive on a Christmas visit and help dig them out, turning the moment into a holiday celebration.

Bando shows Sam newspaper reports about his parents' worry over the missing son. The realization of their concern reinforces Sam's sense of responsibility and the idea that he must eventually return.

Feeling he has achieved more than he set out to, Sam resolves to return to his family. The four friends join him as they hike around the mountain, marking the end of his wilderness chapter.