Animals in Literature

The selections in this Collection explore the common motif of animals in literature. From classic novels to contemporary poetry and nonfiction, these titles delve into the relationships between humans and animals, shedding light on the profound impact animals have on our lives and exploring humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Dogsong

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1985

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Environment, Coming of Age

Tags Action & Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature

Dogsong, first published in 1985, is a young adult novel by American author Gary Paulsen, who wrote Dogsong while he was training his dog sled team for his first Iditarod run. It was awarded the Newbery Honor Award in 1986. Paulsen, who was a popular author of young adult and children’s contemporary literature, is best known for books in the coming-of-age genre, often dealing with surviving the wilderness and embracing nature. He authored more than... Read Dogsong Summary

Dragonslayer

by Tui T. Sutherland

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Gender Identity, Language, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Siblings, Politics & Government, War, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Animals

... Read Dragonslayer Summary

Eating Animals

by Jonathan Safran Foer

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Environment

Tags Food, Philosophy, Animals, Health, Science & Nature, Philosophy

Eating Animals is a nonfiction book written by Jonathan Safran Foer and published originally in 2009. Foer is an accomplished novelist, and Eating Animals is his first foray into long-form nonfiction writing. The book fits into a genre of criticism of the food industry, specifically factory farming and animal welfare. Eating Animals is a New York Times bestseller, though it met with mixed reviews regarding both the content and style of Foer’s writing. In 2018... Read Eating Animals Summary

Echo Mountain

by Lauren Wolk

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Perseverance, Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Poverty, Animals, Gender & Feminism, Relationships, Science & Nature, Great Depression, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, World History

... Read Echo Mountain Summary

Elephant Run

by Roland Smith

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Animals, World War II, Military & War, World History, Action & Adventure

Roland Smith’s Elephant Run (2007) is a middle grade adventure novel that takes place during World War II. Narrator Nick Freestone tries to escape the war and moves from the deadly bombings in London to his father's teak plantation in Burma. Unfortunately for Nick, the war follows him to Burma, and Japanese soldiers soon imprison him and his childhood friend Mya at his family home. Aided by the ancient monk Hilltop, Mya and Nick set... Read Elephant Run Summary

Eleven

by Tom Rogers

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Coming of Age, Fathers, Siblings, Safety & Danger, Family

Tags Children`s Literature, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

... Read Eleven Summary

Endangered

by Eliot Schrefer

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Mothers, Self Discovery, Animals

Tags Coming of Age, Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Animals, Children`s Literature, Military & War, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionEliot Schrefer’s coming-of-age novel Endangered was published by Scholastic in 2012 and is the first book in The Ape Quartet. Set the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the story is written for a young adult audience and is a 2012 National Book Award finalist in Young People’s Literature. The novel follows Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli’s journey as she navigates the perils of war-torn Congo in search of her mother, protecting a young, orphaned bonobo throughout her journey... Read Endangered Summary

Fantastic Mr Fox

by Roald Dahl

Publication year 1970

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, Safety & Danger, Animals, Shame & Pride, Power & Greed

Tags Animals, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970) is a children’s novel by British author Roald Dahl. One of Dahl’s most acclaimed and enduring titles, the novel follows an anthropomorphic fox—the titular Mr. Fox—and his animal friends, who live near three cruel farmers. Although the farmers continually attempt to kill the animals, Mr. Fox and his friends are able to outsmart them and steal all the food they want. Fantastic Mr. Fox, like many of Dahl’s works, is a... Read Fantastic Mr Fox Summary

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Publication year 1933

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Family, Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Agriculture, Animals, US History, Parenting, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Coming of Age, World History

... Read Farmer Boy Summary

Fifteen Dogs

by Andre Alexis

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy

Fifteen Dogs (2015) is an allegorical novel by André Alexis. The book is an apologue with a fable-like narrative focused on animals and morality, and it also contains elements of magical realism. It is the second of five planned novels exploring love, faith, place, power, and hatred. Fifteen Dogs was the 2017 Canada Reads selection.Plot SummaryIn a Toronto pub, Greek gods Apollo and Hermes debate the merits of humans and their capacity for symbolic language... Read Fifteen Dogs Summary

Fire and Ice

by Erin Hunter

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Family, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Teamwork, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Animals

... Read Fire and Ice Summary