An astonishing tale of survival in Alaska, this poignant Robinson Crusoe story is based on true events A year after his mother dies, 16-year old Seth and his dog, Tucker, are washed overboard from his father's fishing boat during a torrential storm, and are assumed drowned. But by good fortune, Seth and Tucker make it safely to one of the hundreds of islands that line the Alaskan coast. Over many months, the two castaways endure hardships to survive off the land and the sea as they make their way, island by island, toward home. More than an adventure novel, this is a story about reconciliation, about heritage, and about struggling to deal with grief.

"A beautiful and moving story of courage and love."—Ray BradburyPraise for The Great Death:"An amazing story."—Frank McCourt"Gripping and poignant. . . . An unforgettable survival tale."—Horn Book"A beautiful, poignant story."—Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize winner"Graphically illustrates the effects of a plague on isolated peoples."—School Library Journal"An engaging tale of survival."—Kirkus ReviewsPraise for The Trap:"An unforgettable story. Brilliant!"—Ray Bradbury"A gripping example of talented storytelling. Unforgettable."—Tony HillermanPraise for The Edge of Nowhere:"More psychological depth than Robinson Crusoe."—Frank McCourtPraise for Alaskan:"Smelcer is Alaska's modern-day Jack London."—W.P. Kinsella"A celebration of the diversity of cultures. Undeniably important!"—James Michener"An indispensible contribution to Alaskan literature."—JD Salinger"This writer speaks from the land, and for the land, and the people who belong to it."—Ursula K. Le GuinDeneena Yazzie's love of the woods and trail come from her grandfather, who teaches her their all-but-vanished Native Alaskan language. While her peers lose hope, trapped between the old and the modern cultures, and turn to destructive behaviors, Denny and her mysterious lead dog, a blue-eyed wolf, train for the Great Race—giving her town a new pride and hope.John Smelcer is poetry editor of Rosebud and the author of more than forty books. He is an Alaskan Native of the Ahtna tribe, and the last surviving reader and writer of Ahtna. John holds degrees in archeology, linguistics, literature, and education, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program and the University of Alaska (Anchorage).

Product Description: Poetry. Native American Studies. Translated into English from the Ahtna Athabaskan by the author. "In a world where such poets are more rare than people might imagine, John Smelcer is one of the truly great poets I have come across in my life. His poetry is genius."—Ruth Stone

Product Description: Fiction. Written over the course of a quarter century by one fo Alaska's best living writers, these two dozen stories embody the spirit of Alaska—its colliding cultures, magnificent beauty and dangerously unforgivign environment. "John Smelcer is Alaska's modern-day Jack London"—W...read more