Northwind Summary
Gary Paulsen

Northwind Overview

Gary Paulsen's young adult novel Northwind follows the adventures of an orphaned teenager named Leif who has lived most of his life in brutal conditions aboard working ships. A situation arises when Leif ends up alone in the wilderness with only a few tools, his memories, and his instincts to guide him. Despite the sometimes harsh conditions and the constant threat of danger, Leif knows that this life is far preferable to the brutal life he left behind. The novel's main themes are cultural beliefs, survival, effects of crises on maturation, hope, and stewardship.