Almond, D. (2008). The Savage. Cambridge, Massachusetts:  Candlewick Press.

Blue Baker has lost his dad and is being bullied by Hopper.  Due to his dad’s death, bullying and concern for Blue he is sent to a counselor.  She encourages him to write or draw.  Blue starts to write but he does not share his story and drawings which are in graphic novel style are intermittent with the story of his life.  The Savage is a wild boy that lives in the wilderness, through the Savage, Blue is able to articulate his pain and what he would really like to do to Hopper. When it comes to the climax of his story where the Savage will kill Hopper, Blue realizes he can’t bring himself to kill Hopper even when he could.   Hopper knows somehow that the Savage and Blue  are connected which causes him to leave Blue alone. The line of fantasy and true life are blurred but through the process Blue comes to term with the pain within him.

The Savage is beautifully written and shares the heart of a broken boy and family struggling with loss.  Almond’s use of intertwining the story of Blue and the Savage together is compelling and painfully identifiable to those who have gone through loss. He shows the beauty of writing as a way to channel feelings and hurt.  We all have a bit of Savage in us that wants to act out to those that have mistreated us.  This book stands the test in time, it is as relevant today as when it was written.  Blue’s conflicted emotions  points to the issues of loss, pain and bullying are addressed in this book. Almond created a book unlike a traditional children’s book that is darker but speaks to our feelings and hurt as we experience Blue’s emotion.