Books

Books are read and carefully studied by Sam as he prepares to head off into the wild. Sam prefers to read books at libraries, where it is quiet, and where he can absorb the information in peace. He spends much time at the New York Public Library in New York City before his departure upstate; and later spends time in the Delhi library near Bitter Mountain. It is in books that Sam gains knowledge about how to live off the land, and how to train a falcon. It is also in a book of records that Miss Turner helps Sam to find his family’s old property.

Penknife

A penknife is carried by Sam throughout the novel, and is one of the few things he brings along with him when he leaves New York. He uses the penknife not only for whittling as he goes, but...