When I was 9, or mybe even 8, I read White Fang by Jack London. As I kid I felt so grown up for having read what I considered an “adult book” at that age. In class we could read a book then on the class computer we could take a multiple choice test on it for points. Childrens books were usually 2 or 3 points, but White Fang was 22 points. I don’t remember exactly how I did, but I remember being happy about the score, and I was in the advanced program in elementary school, so I’m assuming I did pretty well. Who knows though.

But anyways, I’m positive that the themes, and motifs, and life lessons, and philosophies in that book went right over my little head. I probably only cared about the mother wolf raising the cubs and White Fang fighting the Bulldog.

Now looking back at it, there’s so much depth. Family bonds, identity, a sense of community, effects of abuse, and on and on. Examining it now as an adult feels like it’s a completely new book, and I wasn’t old enouigh to appreciate it and understand it the way I can now.

That leads to this question. Are there any books that you can appreciate and delve into the layers of more now that you’re older and maybe even wiser?

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