Wild Life Near Home

"Wild Life Near Home" by Dallas Lore Sharp is a piece of nature writing that explores the smaller details of wildlife found close to peoples' homes. Set in the early 20th century in the New Jersey, the book uses descriptive writing to investigate the behaviors and habitats of different creatures, showing readers the often-unseen parts of nature that live side-by-side with humans. The story starts during the autumn, with sights of the changing seasons as frosty mornings take over sunny days, and it shows both the leaving birds and the ones that stay, like bobwhites and cardinals. Vivid descriptions are given of opossums, with stories about their foraging habits worked into the telling of their environment. One story tells of a nighttime adventure with "Uncle Jethro," who goes out to look for opossums, and it represents the mix of community and nature found in the author's experiences. The book draws the reader into a world where wildlife lives together with people, as seen through feelings of care and wonder.