The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

"The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is a coming-of-age tale about a mute boy, Edgar, who communicates with his family and dogs through sign language. He lives on a farm in Wisconsin with his parents, where they breed a fictional type of dog. After his father's mysterious death, Edgar suspects his uncle, who has recently returned to the farm, is responsible. The boy flees into the wilderness with three of his dogs, where he must learn to survive on his own. When he eventually returns home, he faces a dramatic confrontation with his uncle, leading to a tragic, yet transformative end.

The 8600th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 72

Since this book was first published in 2008, there is a penalty of 54.4%. The age adjusted score is 32.83.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.