1960
WISE Score
Amazon
Think Homeward Bound but without the wisecracking voices—just three incredibly determined pets trekking through the Canadian wilderness.
4.6
4.6View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
The Incredible Journey is a classic for a reason, but let's be real: it’s a 'quiet' book. It doesn't rely on gadgets, magic, or snark.
It’s a survival story that respects the reader's intelligence and the animals' instincts. If your kid is a strong reader who doesn't mind a slower burn, this is a 10/10. If they need constant explosions or talking cats, maybe stick to the 90s movie remake first to get them hooked on the story.
Best for ages 8 to 12. Younger kids will enjoy it as a read-aloud, but the actual reading level is surprisingly high for a 'dog book.'
It is the gold standard for loyalty and grit. The bond between the three animals—who actually look out for each other without the help of snarky voiceovers—is top-tier character modeling.
While it's a realistic survival story, it forces kids to imagine the internal lives and communication of animals through action and instinct rather than human dialogue.
Generally very safe, but nature is real here. There are scenes of animal peril, including a fight with a bear and a narrow escape from drowning, which might stress out very sensitive kids.
The vocabulary is sophisticated and the descriptions of the Canadian wilderness are vivid. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of perseverance against literal mountain-sized odds.
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