Maroo of the Winter Caves

by Ann Turnbull and James Cross Giblin

Book Overview

This enduring survival story set at the end of the last Ice Age has been in print for over 20 years. When Maroo and her family become trapped on the Great Plain in blizzard conditions and with little food, they have only one chance of survival: for Maroo and her younger brother, Otak, to reach the winter camp and get help. The fastest trail to the camp is over the White Mountain, where there are treacherous glaciers, steep climbs, and mountain...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618442995
• ISBN13: 9780618442997
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

gripping and educational

Interesting story that is very believable, no gaffes or plot errors, covers many aspects of ice age life, such as illness, food, hunting, sleeping arrangements, burial, social structure, etc, and has enough characters to be interesting, but not so many a 1st grader can't follow it (although we did stop once or twice to reiterate how everyone was related). I read it aloud to a 6 y/o and we had several discussions he initiated. One of our best read-alouds. Read this after The First Dog, You Wouldn't Want to be a Mammoth Hunter, some cave art samples, and consider viewing Walking with Cave Men. These were our favourite resources for an ice age intro for K5-1, with Maroo being the most advanced, so I'm glad we did it last.

Maroo of the Winter Caves

The book Maroo of the Winter Caves is a very interesting book. It is about a young girl who must save her family before they all die. It all started when a Maroo and her family must migrate to another area because they needed more food since winter is about to begin. While they go they go through many adventures such as, when Maroo and her younger brother Otak find a puppy. Then they asked their Old Mother if they are allowed to keep it so that it can help them on their hunting, and she said yes. Along the way Tikek (their mother) was pregnant so that slowed them down and also Areg (their father) was killed on a hunting journey. They found out that he died by falling off a cliff. Then Old Mother said that there wasn't enough time for them to get to the area where they migrated to, and they didn't have enough time before the blizzards would hit so she thought that they should build a snow house to keep them safe. Since, they didn't have enough food to last them throughout the whole winter, she thought that Maroo and Otak should go alone to find help, but Tikek didn't like the idea but had to go along with it. One day while they were going, Maroo couldn't find Otak so she thought of her Old Mother's words, which said that if one of them died or got lost the other one, must leave them and find help. First, she left her younger brother to find help; second, she and the others rescued the others in the snow house; and third her brother returned. They found out that his ankle was broken, but since the dog was with him they survived until his ankle got better. I liked this book Maroo of the Winter Caves because it told things about the early people of life. In a way, they were like cave people to me. It tells about their environment: where they lived, what they ate, and what they did in life. Maroo of the Winter Caves kept me to keep reading the book. But in the beginning the book was kind of boring. Then later on, when it told about their life situation it kept me to keep reading the book. Reading this book made me feel that living in a world full of technology is great! After reading it, it made me feel thankful of my dad (since he isn't dead like Areg). "Later, they heard what had happened: how Otak, lost in the blizzard, had fallen and sprained his ankle. Unable to walk, he had sheltered a small cave with only the dog to keep him warm, shouting occasionally for help and hoping that Maroo would find him." This part of the book made me feel sorry for this kid. "Rivo! Rivo!" sobbed Maroo, patting the rough fur. "Where is Otak? And then she saw him." This part of the story was my favorite. It was my favorite because after reading it, it taught me to never lose hope. Even in a situation of life or death. My favorite part of the book was when Otak and Rivo (their dog) returned to them. It told me that people should never lose hope in anything. Another favorite part of mine in the book was when they went in search of help. This is another favorite of mi

Could Cro-Magnons really could talk as well as they do here?

I read this book two years ago and I liked it, but I thought I'd forget it soon. However, some of the simple but pure phrases and scenes have stayed with me since then. I don't know why, but I remember Maroo's making tea, her grandmother about to sacrifice herself for the community good, her trek over the cold mountains with the dog and her special fire. The more I think about this book, the more I remember how much I enjoyed it. Because it's not long and has simple language, you may think it's a quick read, but it's actually well-researched, interesting and stays with you.

Maroo of the Winter Caves

This book was great. The title seems boring but don't let it decieve you. The begining may seem boring at first.Do you think surviving in the wilderness is easy? Not as easy as you think. Maroo, a girl living in the Ice Age can prove it. Maroo, Otak(brother), Nimai(the little sister), Old Mother(the grandmother),Tikek(the Mom),Areg(the Dad),and Vorka(the Uncle, are all setting off to the Autumn Camp right after winter. During the journey they find Rivo, a puppy(he will become a important part of this book). They also visit the sea, which Maroo has never seen before. Throughout this, Tikek, who had been pregnant slows them down a bit. At the sea, she has a baby boy. They also meet up with Sovi's group, another group traveling along. Tikek begins recovering but still makes them trail behind. Then a terrible thing happens that makes them trail back even slower behind Sovi's group, losing sight of them completely, and engulfing them in winter. They begin to starve. Then Old Mother decides they have no choice. Maroo and Otak (and Rivo) must journey up the mountain themselves to seek help, past the mountain spirits that Maroo fears and through the many dangers the mountain holds. *dun dun duh*This is a great historical fiction and I totally recomend it. Ann Turnbull makes the story clear and exciting. The people are drawn out to be just like you and me but just in a different time. The details are great and the whole idea is realistic to what I imagine it would be like in the Ice Age. A good book for all ages.

There's a blizzard, no food & you have to save your family.

If you think you've got it tough having to wait outside for the school bus in winter, you've got to read this book! While traveling back to rejoin the rest of their cave, Maroo and her family (who lived during the last Ice Age) become stranded by early blizzards. The lives of their family depend on Maroo and her younger brother when they must go back alone over the mountains to get help. It's easy to appreciate how hard life must have been back then when reading this book. It's a tale of hardship, bravery and survival. Could you do it