S. J. Dahlstrom

I always enjoy reading the Wilder Good stories because I always learn something about nature.

Wilder's friend "Corndog" sees his past walk into town and decides to live in nature in order to survive. Survival depends on many things--having food, water, and shelter. Survival is more than these necessities. One also needs help--human companionship. One needs people to care for you and about you.

Corndog's life lacks stability until he gets with the Posts and meets Wilder and his friends. His step-father abused him, and Corndog has emotional scars. When Woody gets out of jail and finds something missing that he stole from Corndog, Woody goes looking for his stepson. Corndog sees him first and hightails it into the mountains. He believes he has learned enough from Wilder that he can make it. After all, no one can protect you but yourself. The system might give him back to Woody; Corndog can't take the chance. Wilder, Sunny, and Big refuse to let Corndog be alone. They fight to let Corndog know this fact. Their knowledge of the outdoors allows them to figure out where Corndog might be and help him be safer and more secure.

Wilder grows with each novel. In this novel, he struggles with his conscience. He knows information, but does he follow his instincts and his beliefs or do what feels wrong and reveal information he has sword to secrecy? He's been reading The Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation by George Washington. Needless to say, Wilder shares his knowledge with his friends. They cater to him and feel mild amusement, but they listen and hold Wilder accountable to the maxims. As always, Wilder is more than capable of taking care of himself and finds his joy and identity in nature and with his family. Because of his sense of honor and knowledge of what a family is, Wilder refuses to turn his back on Corndog. Civility and decent behavior demand that Wilder help Corndog. You'll think it's hopeless--that Corndog cannot come home after going "feral"--so to speak--but, with friends like Wilder, Sunny, and Big, Corndog has a hopeful future.

This novel is another wonderful journey with Wilder as he grows and applies maxims that demand you live an honorable and civil life in the midst of cruelty and evil.… (mais)

The seventh book in the Wilder Good series, Cow Boyhood, takes Wilder on an old-fashioned cow drive.

Papa, Wilder's maternal grandfather, decides to join his good friend Red to see if they've still "got it." They are men of the past, some would say, who value silence over airing grievances, truly know how to respect the land, and have a belief in what a man truly is. Their decision to drive cattle to a new location the old way with horses presents a challenge they cannot ignore as they realize they are getting older and less capable.. Wilder respects both men, and he's realizing facts about himself as he grows into a man and outdoorsman. This experience will be new for him although he definitely possesses more outdoor skill than the average thirteen-year-old. Setting out on this journey, then, are two old men who may not remember everything needed for such an adventure, hoping to surprise themselves by doing something they easily accomplished as young men and a young teenager who knows enough to pack with purpose, realizing he may be looking after the men more than they are looking after him. It's a new step in Wilder's life, realizing that responsibilities change as life changes.

The novel stays true to reality. Every comment about food needed, items forgotten, herding cattle, or history/geography revealed depicts the truth. Life is cyclical and we pass our knowledge on to the next generation even as age pulls this knowledge from us over time. Wilder's energy contrasts the men as their energy wanes due to aches and pains that life bestows upon people as they age. This drive implies it's a passing of the torch, so to speak. It's a torch not many would know how to carry, as ranching has evolved. Wilder is a capable young man who may choose a ranchers life when he grows up. He watches the men and strives to emulate them from--how to sit in a saddle to following the code he feels men of nature, West Texas ranchers, seem to adhere to. The code implies several ideas. Be strong. Silence allows thought and talking too much is wasteful. Don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked. It's not exactly a list, but Wilder mentions the man code several times.

The drive presents an entertaining narrative. The men are really rather amusing as they keep realizing what they should have thought about. Red is a bit of a mess, but he's funny. The scene with the outhouse is laugh out loud amusing! There are surprises involving weather and animals to make a person recognize the awesome power that exists in nature, which leaves man with the hope he/she survives the exchange.

Cow Boyhood will fill your afternoon, calmly entertaining you with amusing old men and the joy and energy of a young man. It's life. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will feel the connection to the value and beauty of nature. Real truths are found there. An individual can discover his or her strengths and weaknesses in a battle with nature. As always, the Wilder Good books offer an ode to nature, showing the relationship between humans and nature, revealing the reality of life and death as well as the ideas of hope and sadness. I am not a male, so the male code ideas seem foreign to me. I want more from the women instead of being strong and silent, standing by their men. With that said, these manly ideas are not bad. They're good qualities to possess in and of themselves, but they also aren't the only way to manhood. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy nature, who want a more defined idea of life and who want to just enjoy reading a really good story.… (mais)

Silverbelly is an homage to nature.

Wilder Good returns in book five staying with his grandfather and learning about hunting. Wilder's knowledge about nature, guns, and living out in nature is more than any city person's. He still learns in every book because life is always teaching lessons. In this novel, the lessons come from nature.

It's Thanksgiving and it's cold. Wilder and his sister are with their grandfather who allows them to go out and play and learn. He teaches them safety, morals, ethics, but he doesn't "helicopter" them. Wilder will be gone for hours, but his grandfather knows that Wilder can take care of himself. Besides, he can find him if he needs to. Wilder simply thinks he'd like to kill a big deer--a trophy kill--while visiting. You see pictures of people posing after a hunt with their dead animal as if they conquered the animal. It shows little respect to the animal, especially if the animal was pinned in a hunting area for people to easily shoot. While out on the land, Wilder witnesses a neighbor bring a hunter onto their land. He does as any landowner would do and confronts them by telling them they are on his grandfather's land. On his own property, the neighbor hosts hunters, luring deer for hunters to shoot more easily than actually hunting them. He's not the nicest guy and wants quick money without adhering to hunting laws.

When Wilder returns home, he tells his grandfather about the hunters. The novel is driven by several conflicts. Wilder sees how easily the hunters hunt on the neighboring land and disagrees. Wilder begins to rethink his "trophy" dreams because this neighbor doesn't respect the animals--they are a means to a end. Is bagging a "trophy" any better? Isn't hunting for food just fine without trying to show off by claiming a large animal as your trophy? The big trophy in this novel is Silverbelly, a deer Wilder's grandfather took care of and then sent into the wild. Part of the novel is from Silverbelly's point of view, showing his intelligence and survival skills, demonstrating man vs. nature. Should Wilder hunt him or leave this majestic creature? Will the hunters kill Silverbelly just to have a trophy?

Silverbelly reflects nature realistically--animals are born, they die, and sometimes they are hunted. In the end, it's the majesty of these animals and the respect one shows toward nature that proves true morality toward all life, all nature.… (mais)

This novel is book five in the Wilder Good series.

Wilder has a goal--replace what he has broken--and he has a plan he’s been developing for about a year. Wilder loves the outdoors and has been taught to respect it, knowing how to survive. Expecting to spend an extended period of time camping, hiking, and fixing what he broke, Wilder explains to his parents that he’s leaving for much of the summer. They offer a few stipulations: carry a SAT phone and take a friend and a new kid. Wilder isn’t happy about taking Corndog. He had planned on being alone to conquer his goal. After all, that would prove true survival skills and ability: man against (or with) nature.

As the three boys tackle this journey, they discover truths about themselves and each other. Wilder is a bit cocky, insisting on his way and being “fake nice” to Corndog. It’s only after Wilder creates a problem that he takes a step back and thinks about his actions and how he’s treating these friends. Big is the always understanding best friend who offers strength both physical and emotional as well as common sense to balance Wilder. Corndog seems naive and over-enthusiastic as well as ignorant of wilderness survival, making him appear to be somewhat of a burden on this journey. It’s only out in nature that people find who they truly are--Wilder, Big, and Corndog rely on each other and end up confiding in each other. Ultimately, this experience brings them together like brothers, appreciating their differences, their abilities, and their friendship. This experience they have reflects true life-- camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing in the wilderness as well as how we treat each other and make assumptions only to learn we are wrong.. If you wonder what a prolonged trip is like in the mountains, this novel relates the struggles, joys, messiness, fun, and courage it takes to commune with nature and with our own friends.

I enjoy the outdoors, so I enjoyed this novel. I couldn’t go so long without bathing and brushing my teeth, however! I also do not have the skills Wilder has. Ultimately, the novel is about what we owe each other as civilized humans as we explore this world together. Our acceptance of differences, strengths, and weaknesses from within and from others makes us stronger people. It’s in nature where this journey can be most truthful--the battle to survive with others. Do we strike out on our own? Help each other? Accept help? The wilderness is an exploration both physical and mental where the exporer must find his truths and accept and own up to the choices made that affect our lives and each other. It’s the courage to keep going or the courage to know when to backtrack. Read the book, go outside and take a walk listening to the wind in the trees and the birds chirping--maybe even plan a hike with friends. You’ll feel closer to yourself and closer to your friends.… (mais)