To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves

Wildlife photographer Brandenburg's account of a summer he spent near the Arctic Circle with a pack of white wolves is spirited by wildness, discovery and danger, yet also gentled by awe, mutual respect and profound emotion. ``Thrilled'' at the prospect of knowing wolves ``that hadn't learned to fear humans,'' Brandenburg slips into their world without interrupting it and captures their behaviors, personalities and intelligence in word pictures nearly as descriptive and articulate as his photography. On the musicality of howling: ``Every wolf avoided hitting the same note . . . . When this happened by accident, one of the voices would frantically shuffle about until discord could be achieved once again.'' Although wary of anthropomorphism, Brandenburg writes that ``animals undoubtedly have more feelings than we give them credit for.'' This subtle, underlying persuasion, while never overwrought, gives the book a magnetic appeal. Ages 8-up. (Oct.)