so lost on a mountain in Maine was a huge disappointment. I thought that maybe this book would have a reasonable ending but no, he had to make it back and return home. Its so lackluster that it isn't even worth finishing to find out what happens. you know that hes gonna die, but he doesn't. Its so anticlimactic, all he does is survive off of berries for nine days he would have dies from diseases from the bugs and infections. The writer Donn Fendler couldn't have done a worse job at writing this stupid book. But look on the bright side it was a good idea he just didn't execute it right. he knew what he wanted in his mind he didn't do it right on paper. Overall I think that the book was horrible and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone ever. 1 star rating.

Donn Fendler was 12-years-old in 1939 when he decided to run ahead of his group while hiking on Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Fog settled in and he lost the trail, wandering further and further from his starting point. For nine days he remained lost. Boy Scouts had taught him to follow water, and that may be the advice that saved him. On the 9th day, barely able to walk, he spied a cabin across the river. When a man came out and saw him, his ordeal was over.

This is a quick read at only 98 pages. Kids who are into the outdoors or love Boy Scouts will thoroughly enjoy this book. It's written from a child's perspective, so the language and thoughts feel young. The author wrote it just as Donn Fendler relayed it to him. The introspection does not have the level of detail an adult would have, but I think that makes it even more appealing for kids.

I downloaded a couple of audiobooks for a long drive, just the boy and I, were taking today and this was the first one I played on the way out of town. I had picked it out of what showed up among OverDrive's currently-available Juvenile audiobooks because the boy has been somewhat fixated on survival stories this summer, since he got into Gordon Korman's "Island" survival series-- he picked the first one as his SRP prize, and gobbled up the others. The "Everest" books were also well-liked. (I have been trying to get him into survival books in general, as they were a particular favorite of mine when I was young, for the last year or more, and Gordon Korman in particular over the last six months. This cannot be pointed out, because the idea that Mom, a librarian and avid reader, could be right on this matter is blasphemous.)

I enjoyed this on the drive, and my son *loves* it. He wanted to leave the beach earlier than anticipated in order to get back into the car to listen to it, and we are all now listening to it, sitting in the living room. A second read-- it's true love.

The writing is approachable for kids, but has a nice older style-- simple enough sentence structure, frequent use of things like "fellow" and "queer" and "fool," and regional terms, too-- sounding like an old neighbor or uncle's storytelling style. I was pretty impressed with the young reader; he's a natural. The overlay of sound effects underneath the narration is a very nice touch, especially, I think, for the intended age group (grades 4-8); it is used not too frequently so it's a nice addition instead of being a constant.

The boy's opinion is that it is "great." His favorite part was the leeches, or, for a direct quote, "when the bloodsuckers suck him." The news that there is a graphic novel adaptation created quite a stir.

Edited to include cross-references: Ghost Hawk

Personal Response:
tI really enjoy the book Lost on a Mountain in Maine. One of the main reasons why I like this book is because it takes place in the outdoors. I really like books that take place in the outdoors due to the fact they are always action-packed. It makes me wonder how I can survive out in the wilderness if something ever happens to me. The book really makes me place things into my own perspective.

Plot Summary:
tThe book is about a true story. Donn, who is a twelve-year-old boy, lost on Mountain Katahdin. Donn starts his journey with his father, two friends, and his two brothers. They all start their trip up the mountain when Donn and his friend, Henry, go ahead of the group to reach the top first. The two boys reach the top and then they decide to wait for the other men. Donn is getting cold and he decides to leave the top of the mountain and head back to camp by himself. Donn starts his journey down the mountain. He ends up losing the trail he is taking down the mountain. He is not able to find the trail and he decides he is going to have to continue in the morning. Donn sleeps the night on the cold, wet, and dark mountain by himself. Donn is lost and he has no place to go. He looks for a camp along a creek he follows. Donn is on his own in the wilderness for nine days. He encounters many things that give him troubles. He loses his pants and shoes. Also, he sees several bears and much more. The ninth day is the day Donn finds civilization at a camp along the river. Donn reunites with his father at the camp.

Characterization:
tThere are two major things that change Donn’s character. These two things that change the most are Donn’s mental state and Donn’s physical condition. I believe the thing that changes the most about Donn is his mental state. More than likely Donn has never had to survive by himself before; therefore, Donn is put to the test when he gets lost. He is forced to think back when he was in boy scouts. He thinks about where to find food and where there is potentially civilization. Also, the fact that he has no food hurts his physical appearance. Donn is forced to hunt and scavenge for food if he wants to survive. Donn loses a lot of weight due to the fact he did not have all the food he normally obtained.

Setting:
tThe story takes place on Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The time frame is in July of 1939. The base of the mountain was hot and sticky due to the heat from it being summertime. There are also a lot of insects around because of the heat. Near the top of the mountain, it is very hard to see because of all the snow and clouds on top. In general, Mt. Katahdin has all kinds of weather found on it.

Recommendation:
tI recommend this book to all boys in high school. It is an easy read but I think high schoolers would enjoy it more. It is a great book for boys in high school because it shows that anything can happen when someone is least expecting it. I also recommend this book to those who like books that take place in the outdoors.

ORDEAL ON KATAHDIN

In 1939 12-year old Donn Fendler became separated from his father and Scout companions while hiking on Maine's most formidable peak. This short book presents an as-told-to narrataive--reconstructed in comfortable and safe hindsight. One can imagine the anguish of his parents--contemplating variouis fates for their son during his nine-day ordeal, during which time he endured loneliness, exhaustion and starvaiton (he lost 16 pounds!) During fog and even sleet he sought his way down the unforgiving slopes haphazardly, while rangers and hundreds of volunteers scoured the craggy heights of Katahdin.

The lost youth was actually less at risk of freezing or fallngin to deep gorges once he descended below the welcome timbewrline. His rambling route when retraced on a map showd a desperate, meandering path--partly induced by his mist-obscured vision. It was only when he discovered a stream that he recalled the advice to follow a stream downhill--to another larger one. In time he found a tote road, abandonded cabins and a telegraph wire--all of which provided hope that he was approaching (recently abandoned) civilization.

This 100-page book includes an extensvie Afterword which descibes the frantic rescue efforts by adults in the outside world--accomplished in a era of comparatively minimal long-range communication. Donn's worst enemies prove the myriads of vicious flies and bugs which mercilessly attacked his scantily-protected skin. His narrative includes references to mostly peaceful encounters with widlife, spells of crying interspersed itermittent bouts of irrationality. He even spouted entrenched Scout lore when not featheirng the narrative with his moral servations on the emeregency use of other people's property. To sum up: an excellent Middle School survival tale set in simpler times, supplemented by actual b/w photos of his rescue and celebratory parade. One wonders at the list of Lessons Learned which he might have compiled in the weeks of recuperation following his ordeal on Katahdin.

(August 12, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

I picked this little book up from my daughter’s curriculum. Quick read - true story about a boy and his adventure after getting separated from his group in the mountains. He was so tough & went through a lot! It was so sweet to see the little and big ways God watched over him. Upper elementary/middle grade level.

This is technically a re-read since I first read this one when I was a young boy. However, the movie adaptation of this came out this week, T is reading it in fourth grade, and we got to meet the movie producer at an event last week. Seemed like a great time for a quick re-read!

Lost on a Mountain in Maine is the true story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who got separated from his family at the summit of Mount Katahdin and proceeded to wander through some of the most intense wilderness in the US for 9(!) days before stumbling across a fishing camp and being rescued. The book is a first person account of Donn's experience and does not really cover what happens with his family and the search for him (still the largest search and rescue operation in Maine history).

It's an incredible story of perseverance, faith, and ingenuity as Donn did what very few adults could accomplish. Since the events took place in 1939 and the book was written not long after, there are some pretty delightful time-specific anachronisms that are great fun too. Donn's constant proclamations of 'Christmas!' instead of 'gosh' or 'goodness' are quite fun.

Ah, fourth grade required reading. I don't think I minded it too much at the time, but now I can see the faults.

The thing about this book is this: if I remember correctly, this kid is an absolute idiot. He breaks every rule of hiking.

RULES OF HIKING
1. Don't hike in bad weather.
Check, it's foggy when he wanders off.
2. Always stay with another person while hiking.
Or just wander ahead alone. You know. Whatever.
3. Carry a flashlight, water, and a little food.
4. If you get lost... STAY. WHERE. YOU. ARE. That way people can find you.
If he had just stayed put, they would have found him in a day or two.

Personally, I knew all of these things by age 12.

Oh, and also: he FOUND A FREAKING TRAIL at one point. And he was like, nah, I think I'll just keep going this way and see where it takes me. WHAT?

An amazing story reprinted for a new generation.

The only reason it is not a five is the lack of context, commentary, and picture-painting by someone alongside the storyteller. Some notes are helpful, but no context is given for the story. It just goes right into it.

I wish it got bumped out to 150/160 pages with a sturdy editorial introduction.

Audio

3 stars

I read this in 4th grade and wanted to reread as an adult! Donn came to my 4th grade class.

What an enjoyable read! Hearing the words exactly as a 12 year old experienced them was unique. I appreciated the footnotes, pictures and map. I loved hearing how much he prayed and kept God with him. The part about the Guardian Angel left me in awe. I’m completely shocked he made it!

I gave this book a five star because it was a really good book. If you're looking for a quick read book this is one. It was so cool reading a book about the state I live in. If you like survival books you will like this book. At some parts it had you off your chair because you wanted to know more. This author did very good at writing this book.