Waluk

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Young Waluk is all alone. His mother has abandoned him, as is the way of polar bears, and now he must fend for himself. But he doesn’t know much about the world—and unfortunately, his Arctic world is changing quickly. The ice is melting, and food is hard to find.

Luckily, Waluk meets Manitok, a wise old bear with missing teeth and a bad sense of smell. Manitok knows many survival tricks, and he teaches Waluk about seals, foxes, changing seasons, and—when Manitok is caught in a trap—human beings. Has Waluk learned enough from his friend to find a way to save him?

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978-1-4677-2057-1
$29.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Graphic Novels
Copyright 2013
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 56
Publication Date 2013-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 4.3
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV008050, JUV002030, JUV029010
Dewey 741.5'946
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 11.4375 x 8.25
Lexile 640
Guided Reading Level S
ATOS Reading Level 3.6
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 160646
Accelerated Reader® Points 1.0
Features Afterword, Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Emilio Ruiz

Illustrator: Ana Miralles

Awards

  • Missouri State Teacher's Association Reading Circle Selection, Winner, 2014

Reviews

School Library Monthly

Ruiz, Emilio. Waluk, Illus. by Ana Miralles.

Successfully combining science, sequential storytelling, and respectful anthropomorphizing, Ruiz chronicles a fictional orphaned polar bear cub and the cranky older bear that helps him survive in their compromised habitat. An author note clarifies the science pertaining to this endangered mammal.

School Library Journal

“The full-color illustrations are crisp and appealing, capturing moments of comedy and drama with equal skill. With a unique perspective on a controversial topic, this is a graphic novel that stands out.” —School Library Journal

Booklist

“Marrying exemplary sequential storytelling, mythology, and science and enhanced through respectful anthropomorphizing, Waluk takes readers into a realistic world of polar bears endangered by climate change….[T]his is a beautifully told tale of the impact humans have on wildlife and the environment.” —Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“Cute meets socially conscious, leaving an indelible impression upon readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“This exceptional English-language debut for the author/artist team of Ruiz and Miralles will make readers hope more translations are underway….Heartbreaking moments… are never overplayed, and humor always leavens the sadness.” —starred, Publishers Weekly