The Elk Hunt: The Adventures of Wilder Good #1 - by S J Dahlstrom (Paperback)

About the Book

Through the mentoring of an old man, a boy develops strength and courage during an elk hunting trip in Colorado.

Book Synopsis

"If you like Hank, you'll like Wilder Good, too."--John R. Erickson, author of Hank the Cowdog

Meet 12-year-old Wilder Good, who lives with his parents and little sister, Molly, in a small town in southern Colorado. When he's lucky, he gets to go hunting with Gale Loving, a 72-year-old elder at the church the Goods attend, and a good friend and mentor to Wilder. They make sort of an odd pair, an old man and a boy, but they fit together pretty well in the outdoors. (Though sometimes Wilder still can't help but wonder what kind of a name "Gale" is for a grown man.)

Wilder plays basketball, is active in his 4-H club, likes to read--his hero is Teddy Roosevelt--and does all the things that seventh-graders do. (He has a "secret" girlfriend, too.) He's a Dallas Cowboys fan. But mostly he loves the outdoors, hunting in the Colorado Rockies with Gale or his dad, or at his grandfather's Texas ranch.

Wilder is on the threshold between being a kid and beginning to grow up, and he's trying his best to figure out just what it means to join that grownup world. There's a lot to learn, and he's grateful to have rock-steady Gale to guide him.

In The Elk Hunt, Wilder accompanies Gale into the mountains in search of his first elk. It's a special day for Wilder in many ways--the biggest game he's ever hunted, and the first chance to use his grandfather's Winchester .270. He's determined to succeed with high marks.

Hunting elk is an exciting and demanding pursuit, but even after Wilder and Gale are headed home, there's still danger to face--that's when nature decides to really test Wilder's resolve.

S. J. Dahlstrom lives and writes in west Texas. He has numerous magazine credits for his writing and photography. The Adventures of Wilder Good is his first series. His writing draws on his experiences as a cowboy, husband, father, and founder of a boys' ranch.

Review Quotes

Praise for S. J. Dahlstrom and The Adventures of Wilder Good series

"If you like Hank, you'll like Wilder Good, too."--John R. Erickson, author of Hank the Cowdog

#1 The Elk Hunt: The Adventure Begins

Lamplighter Finalist 2015-16 (Triple Crown Awards)

"Among the best books for young boys I've seen in years. This is classic Americana, values and all."--Robert Pratt, Pratt on Texas

"The Elk Hunt is a book for young men's men."--Texas Home School Coalition

#2 Texas Grit

Will Rogers Medallion Gold Medal Winner - 2015

"I am a big fan of this series. Texas Grit is every bit as insightful and positive as the first one."--Glenn Dromgoole, Texas Reads

"Dahlstrom writes about ranch life with flair and specific detail."--WORLD magazine

#3 Wilder and Sunny

"These are exciting tales...Dahlstrom's superb writing takes Wilder through those anxiety-producing years between childhood and adulthood, when life's simplest and most important lessons are learned."--Forbes

#4 The Green Colt

"The Green Colt is told beautifully, with grace and quiet power, and shows S. J. Dahlstrom to be a big new talent. I highly recommend this wonderful book."--Nancy Plain, award-winning author and vice-president of Western Writers of America

About the Author

S. J. Dahlstrom lives and writes in west Texas. He has numerous magazine credits for his writing and photography. The Adventures of Wilder Good is his first series. His writing draws on his experiences as a cowboy, husband, father, and founder of a boys' ranch.