Warm is the heart of his pack. He is not the fastest or strongest, but he is a good watcher and cares well for the pups, his younger siblings. But when tragedy and violence strike his family, Warm has no choice but to lead the pups.
Warm is the heart of his pack. He is not the fastest or strongest, but he is a good watcher and cares well for the pups, his younger siblings. But when tragedy and violence strike his family, Warm has no choice but to lead the pups.
Warm was the smallest and most timid pup in his litter. His siblings (Sharp, Swift, Pounce and Wag) are all better hunters and fighters than him. Warm doesn’t care though. He’s content to care for his younger siblings and make himself useful as the watcher—keeping an eye out for danger—while the rest of the pack hunts.
But one day Warm doesn’t see the warning signs soon enough.
An enemy pack, the “ice wolves,” attacks. Caught off guard, many in Warm’s pack fall. However, he and the pups escape into the mountains.
They’re tired, hungry and alone. Warm soon realizes they can’t stay on the mountain forever, and he also knows that some of their siblings are probably still alive. He needs to find a way to save the pups and restore his pack.
Warm doesn’t believe that he has the skills, confidence or power to lead a pack. Yet, as he runs from one danger to another, he quickly realizes that his options are dwindling.
To save his pack, Warm will need all the cunning and compassion he’s relied on his entire life. He’ll also need to be as fierce as fire.
None.
None.
Warm’s parents take care of the pups and lead the pack. The pack works together to survive.
The ice wolves have a mean leader, Glacier, who doesn’t treat the members of the pack well.
Warm struggles with doubts as he tries to lead and care for the pups after the fight. He is patient but lashes out in frustration once.
Wolves hunt and kill a variety of animals, eating them afterward. A bear growls and threatens wolves that get close to her cub. Warm drowns an elk calf. Men with guns shoot and kill wolves, including a member of Warm’s pack. Lightning ignites a wildfire.
The ice wolves attack Warm’s pack and kill several members of his family. These enemy wolves attack and injure Warm as he searches for survivors. Glacier injures Snow, a member of the ice wolves, for letting Warm escape. Many wolves are injured in a second fight. Glacier falls and is badly injured.
Wolves are referred to as mates a couple of times.
Do you have a hard time getting along with your siblings? Why or why not?
What are three things you can do to develop better relationships with your family?
Would you have been nice to Sharp like Warm was at the end of the story? Why or why not? Is there someone who is mean to you that you can share Jesus’ love with?
A Wolf Called Fire paints an exciting story about life in the wild. Many readers will appreciate author Rosanne Parry’s research, basing the setting and story off of important studies done about wolf packs in the United States. However, the violence and even natural hunting behaviors throughout the story might be upsetting for some young readers.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
