Incident at Hawk's Hill
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Allan W. Eckert |
| Products | Children's literature, Historical novel |
Incident at Hawk's Hill is a children's book published in 1971 by naturalist and author Allan W. Eckert. Drawing inspiration from an allegedly true story, this historical novel follows a six-year-old boy who becomes lost on the Canadian prairie and endures two months of survival aided by a mother badger. Initially released as a book for adults, it was later selected by Reader's Digest and recognized as an American Library Association Notable title.
Plot
The narrative unfolds in 1870 on Hawk's Hill, the farm owned by William and Esther MacDonald near Winnipeg, Manitoba. The focus is on their six-year-old son Ben, who is mute around most individuals but exceptionally intelligent and more at ease with wildlife. Their new neighbor, George Burton, is a cruel thief accompanied by his aggressive dog, Lobo. Close by, a pregnant female badger prepares her den.
Ben becomes lost after chasing a prairie chicken and finds refuge near the badger’s burrow. The badger, injured and having lost her own offspring due to traps set by Burton, begins to provide food for Ben. He learns to mimic her movements and sounds to adapt and survive. When Lobo attacks, Ben diverts the dog’s attention, enabling the badger to kill it. Despite these efforts, Ben’s strength diminishes due to starvation.
The search for Ben extends over two months; most assume he drowned in the nearby Red River. His father remains hopeful, and eventually Ben’s brother John discovers him among the rocks. Initially reacting like a wild creature, Ben is brought back home. The mother badger follows him and is cautiously welcomed by the family as Ben’s guardian. As Ben shares his story, he becomes more comfortable with people and eagerly anticipates attending school.
When Burton returns and wounds the badger with a gunshot, a confrontation between him and Ben’s father strengthens family bonds. Locals interpret Ben’s survival as a symbol of divine protection, while the First Nations view it as an honorable legend connected to their chief.
Background
Every edition of Incident at Hawk's Hill contains an author's note declaring the tale to be a "slightly fictionalized version of an incident which actually occurred." Nonetheless, Eckert did not provide supporting evidence. Kenneth Kidd, an author and professor specializing in feral children studies, proposes that Eckert may have drawn from local folklore, as no proof substantiates the event.
An article titled "The Boy Who Lived in a Badger Hole," published in the Manitoba Historical Society's 1960 magazine Manitoba Pageant, recounts an 1873 incident involving a lost boy found after ten days living in a badger hole—likely serving as Eckert’s inspiration. Debate continues regarding Eckert’s claim of "slightly fictionalized."
Critical reception
Incident at Hawk's Hill was honored with a 1972 Newbery Honor and received accolades such as Recognition of Merit from the George C. Stone Center for Children's Books, the Austrian Juvenile Book of the Year Award, and designation as an ALA Notable Book.
Conversely, Kirkus Reviews described it as an "overblown and curiously old-fashioned tale."
Editions and adaptations
Incident at Hawk's Hill was first released as a novel intended for adult readers and was chosen for inclusion in the Reader's Digest Condensed Book series. Artwork by John Schoenherr has been featured in both the original adult version and subsequent editions aimed at children, although the cover designs have changed throughout the years.
The story was transformed into a television film by Disney, titled The Boy who Talked to Badgers, which aired on The Wonderful World of Disney in 1975. This movie was subsequently distributed to educational institutions under the children's edition name, Incident at Hawk's Hill.