Wolf Girl by Doniga Markegard

Wolf Girl

by Doniga Markegard

Through the Pacific Northwest forests and along the rugged coastal shores of California: a young environmentalist’s coming-of- age story about learning, discovery, and survival

Wolf Girl takes readers on Doniga’s journey: from the wilderness immersion school where she was taught by Indigenous elders and wildlife trackers, to hitchhiking across the Pacific Northwest, to Alaska, where she fell in love with tracking wolves. These experiences shaped and inspired Doniga to become the leader in the regenerative agricultural movement that she is today.

Today’s youth are at the forefront of climate change activism, and will see themselves in Doniga’s story, in the message that you can find yourself by finding—and fighting for—your place within the world at large.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Wolf Girl: Finding Myself in the Wild is a memoir by Doniga Markegard. Released 1st April 2020 by Propriometrics Press, it's 264 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

There are physicians and therapists who are increasingly likely to prescribe nature walks for depression and other mental illness as part of a therapy regimen. Kindergartens and primary schools have incorporated nature walks, gardening, and outdoors activities as an integral part of their curriculum. We are inextricably tied to nature and people who live completely divorced from the outdoor environment are much more likely to have chronic illness and suffer from anxiety and depression.

Doniga Markegard explores the necessity of nature in our lives through her autobiography. Moving through a troubled adolescence, she finds her way by becoming immersed in the wild through a nature school (for non-traditional learners). Her writing style is simple and direct and sometimes uncomfortably straightforward.

Ostensibly aimed at young girls/women, I think this book could be a good fit for any age. There are potential triggers: drug use, sexual assault, teenaged runaways, rebellion, depression, amongst others. It makes for sometimes uncomfortable reading, but on the whole, worthwhile.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 15 May, 2020: Finished reading
  • 15 May, 2020: Reviewed