Julie of the Wolves, Newbery Winner 1973

Wow! I just finished plowing through this book in four hours, and I've got to say it was worth every minute. One of the places I am really interested in teaching at after I graduate is the Alaskan bush. I reveled in every description of the tundra, animals, and culture of the Yup'ik. I loved the intimate interactions between Julie and the wolf pack, the naturalism of this work is beautiful.
I am a great believer that there is some measure of truth in old customs and this book makes it clear that Jean Craighead George agrees. It was as I read about Julie's acceptance of 'the old Eskimo ways' that I came to adore this book.
I discovered that there were two sequels written for this book that I am now quite anxious to read. Combining nature, survival, new cultures, and coming of age into one novel, Julie of the Wolves, rates as my second favorite Newbery winner thus far.