The Trap

Seventeen-year-old Johnny Least-Weasel knows that his grandfather Albert is a stubborn old man and won't stop checking his own traplines even though other men his age stopped doing so years ago. But Albert Least-Weasel has been running traplines in the Alaskan wilderness alone for the past sixty years. Nothing has ever gone wrong on the trail he knows so well. When Albert doesn't come back from checking his traps, with the temperature steadily plummeting, Johnny must decide quickly whether to trust his grandfather or his own instincts. Written in alternating chapters that relate the parallel stories of Johnny and his grandfather, this novel poignantly addresses the hardships of life in the far north, suggesting that the most dangerous traps need not be made of steel.

Teen & Young Adult

Smelcer, John

Literature & Fiction

Square Fish

2,000 years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher named Jesus was condemned to be crucified--an all too familiar spectacle in Jerusalem in those days. By chance, a man named Simon, from Cyrene, was compelled by Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry the heavy cross through the crowded streets to Golgotha. What did Simon witness? What did he and Jesus talk about? Eager to learn more about his unfortunate companion, Simon returned to Jerusalem the next day. What he learned changed his life forever. Ever since, the descendants of Simon have safeguarded an incredible secret. A book for everyone, no matter what you believe. Praised worldwide for its timely and necessary message of love and compassion. Praise for The Gospel of Simon:  "In a world where media relentlessly enflames fear and hatred, here is a quiet voice espousing the triumph of love and peace." --Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate "This books reminds us that we are called to be bearers of love, for there can be no faith without love." --Cardinal Edward Egan of New York "John Smelcer writes with the voice of Jesus. Until now we only thought we knew this story." --Daniel Berrigan, Jesuit priest, social rights activist, and author "As this book shows, there are many similarities between Christianity and Buddhism, such as the practices of compassion, love, contemplation, and tolerance." --The Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize laureate "Smelcer gives us a Jesus who condemns those who abuse the name of God to gain wealth or power, as well as anyone who fosters injustice and inequality, oppresses or enslaves others, and incites hatred, intolerance, bigotry, and violence." --Coretta Scott King (MLK's widow) " This book belongs among the classics of religion, if not in a class all by itself. A masterpiece capable of changing the world." --W. P. Kinsella, Academy Award winning author of Field of Dreams "John Smelcer challenges the certitudes of our times and offers a blueprint for religious peace." --Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz, Center for Christian Jewish Understanding "A book that reminds us again and again of Jesus's gospel of love." --Saul Bellow, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature "May this book bring a lot of benefit to people who read it." --Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Love in Action "This may be exactly the way it happened. A tour de force." --Tom O'Horgan, director of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar "An ambitious reimagining of the most familiar story in history." --Chayym Zeldis, Tel Aviv University "Enlightened, compelling, and blessed by grace. The timeless message will resonate with modern readers." --Marcus Borg, author of The Heart of Christianity "Smelcer reveals new dimensions of the Christian story." --Bishop John Shelby Spong

The Gospel of Simon: The Passion of Jesus According to Simon of Cyrene

History

World

Leap Faith Press

A gripping wilderness adventure and survival story It was getting colder. Johnny pulled the fur-lined hood of his parka over his head and walked towards his own cabin with the sound of snow crunching beneath his boots. "He should be back tomorrow," he thought, as a star raced across the sky just below the North Star. "He should be back tomorrow for sure." Seventeen-year-old Johnny Least-Weasel knows that his grandfather Albert is a stubborn old man and won't stop checking his own traplines even though other men his age stopped doing so years ago. But Albert Least-Weasel has been running traplines in the Alaskan wilderness alone for the past sixty years. Nothing has ever gone wrong on the trail he knows so well. When Albert doesn't come back from checking his traps, with the temperature steadily plummeting, Johnny must decide quickly whether to trust his grandfather or his own instincts. Written in alternating chapters that relate the parallel stories of Johnny and his grandfather, this novel poignantly addresses the hardships of life in the far north, suggesting that the most dangerous traps need not be made of steel.

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

The Great Death arrived with the man from downriver, the one who came with the light-colored strangers and had little red spots covering his body. Thirteen-year-old Millie and her younger sister, Maura, are fascinated by the guests, but soon sickness takes over their village. As they watch the people they know and love die, the sisters remain unaffected and begin to realize that they will have to find a new home. 
Alone in the cold Alaskan winter of 1917, struggling to overcome the obstacles nature throws their way, the girls discover that their true strength lies in their love for each other. 
John Smelcer's spare and beautiful prose shapes the sisters' story with tenderness and skill, presenting a powerful tale of determination, survival, and family.

The Great Death

Historical Fiction

With over 60 myths and legends from 20 Alaska Native groups, this is the single most comprehensive collection of Alaska Native traditional stories/narratives in existence! beautifully illustrated (maps included). The book even contains an extensive bibliography of known references on the subject.

The Raven and the Totem: Traditional Alaska Native Myths and Tales

Vienneau

Larry

Mythology & Folk Tales

Salmon Run Pr

Fiction. Written over the course of a quarter century by one fo Alaska's best living writers, these two dozen stories embody the spirit of Alaska—its colliding cultures, magnificent beauty and dangerously unforgivign environment. "John Smelcer is Alaska's modern-day Jack London"—W. P. Kinsella. "John Smelcer's stories are an indispensable addition to Alaskan literature"—J. D. Salinger.

Alaskan: Stories from the Great Land

Standing Stone Books

From a cancer survivor comes this poignant and heartfelt book of poetry in which the author kicks and screams as Death tries to drag him toward the abyss. Genuine and human, full of strength and weakness, humor and despair, doubt and faith. The author asks the ubiquitous question, "Why me?' and "What did I do to deserve getting cancer?" Anyone who has cancer or loves someone who has cancer should read this book. If the author learned anything from his experience, it's that one does not fight cancer; one surrenders to the cure. The fighting comes afterward during recovery and rebuilding. Throughout his grueling ordeal, the author felt as if he were barely a hand's grasp out of reach of the Grim Reaper.

Running from the Reaper

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Andersen Press Ltd

An astonishing tale of survival in Alaska, this poignant Robinson Crusoe story is based on true events A year after his mother dies, 16-year old Seth and his dog, Tucker, are washed overboard from his father's fishing boat during a torrential storm, and are assumed drowned. But by good fortune, Seth and Tucker make it safely to one of the hundreds of islands that line the Alaskan coast. Over many months, the two castaways endure hardships to survive off the land and the sea as they make their way, island by island, toward home. More than an adventure novel, this is a story about reconciliation, about heritage, and about struggling to deal with grief.

Edge of Nowhere

Children's Books

Action & Adventure

Andersen Press

Lone Wolves

Leapfrog Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smelcer, John. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Smelcer, John

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smelcer, John. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Trap

The Gospel of Simon: The Passion of Jesus According to Simon of Cyrene

The Trap

The Great Death

The Raven and the Totem: Traditional Alaska Native Myths and Tales

Alaskan: Stories from the Great Land

Running from the Reaper

The Trap

Edge of Nowhere

Lone Wolves