On the Far Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George

Living in the Catskill Mountains is very hard. After Sam Gribley's endangered peregriene falcon, Frightful, is confiscated by a conservation officer, he is devestated. This deep sorrow only worsons when his sister, Alice, leaves their forest home to make her own. . Sam sets off with Bando, a fellow woodsman to find his falcon and sister. On the Far Side of the Mountain is a great read for grades 3 through 7.
I recommend this book with great entusiasim. The action develops very quickly, introducing the problem from the beginning. Also, the author builds the mystery of Sam's falcon and sister until the climax expertly. The solution is semi- happy, but not unrealistically so. This ingeniously written novel has absolutly no faults.
All in all, this book is addicting from beginning to end. It teaches a great lesson, hang on to what you love. The forest gives it a peaceful bit intense setting, which only adds to the perfection of this novel. All children in primary grades should read this book.