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Tenkara Smart
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She Named Me Wolf: Book One: The Many Lives of Wolf Kindle Edition

by Tenkara Smart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

"If you are a fan of YA novels and great storytelling, this book will be for you. It is beautifully told, emotional, and achingly beautiful.” Kathryn Bennett, Readers' Favorite

Wolf is a loner, growing up in a home with an alcoholic, unpredictable father. The only love he feels comes from his best friend Polly, who happens to be the ghost of a Japanese girl.

As Wolf grows, the ghost helps him cope until ultimately Wolf must make the most significant decision of his life. Only his unique friends, powerful imagination, and recollections of his past life as a samurai warrior will help him choose the right path.

She Named Me Wolf is book one in the series The Many Lives of Wolf and is the first glimpse into one soul's travels through many lifetimes, seeking out the light in the darkness.

“Tenkara has created something very special here…It’s quite unlike anything I have ever read, deftly mixing childhood angst, alcoholism, abuse, and even some supernatural elements.” Author Alex Robins

“For those of you who like surprising, and uplifting endings…be prepared. Smart knocks it out of the proverbial park in the final two paragraphs…She Named Me wolf is a remarkable debut.”Author Claudia Piepenburg

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Many Lives of Wolf
  2. Print length
    353 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 17, 2020
  5. Reading age
    15 - 18 years
  6. File size
    2.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 2 books in this series.
This option includes 2 books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

5/5 stars
Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

She Named Me Wolf by Tenkara Smart takes you into the life of a boy named Wolf. Wolf lives in fear with his alcoholic father. However, Wolf ends up being faced with the choice of a lifetime. His best friend Polly, who is a ghost, helps him choose to either stay in his current life or move on. What choice will Wolf make? Can he keep moving through this life based on the power of his imagination and past lives, or will he move on?

As a believer in past lives, I was really excited to read a coming-of-age story that had the twist of past lives being involved. She Named Me Wolf did not disappoint and is a fantastic read involving life and the soul's struggle to make it through the trials presented to us in each life. Abuse is a hard topic to tackle, but Tenkara Smart does a beautiful job of weaving the fabric of this story.

She Named Me Wolf by Tenkara Smart was a stunning read and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I stayed engaged with this book and Wolf's journey. Polly was a fun twist; I mean, how many people have a best friend that is a ghost? Most importantly, this story really is one of endurance and the strength that can be found within if you are willing to look for it. If you are a fan of YA novels and great storytelling, this book will be for you. It is beautifully told, emotional, and achingly beautiful.

From the Author

She Named Me Wolf is book one in the series The Many Lives of Wolf and is based on the idea of reincarnation and a soul's journey through many lifetimes. In book one, Wolf is born into difficult circumstances and with the help of his best friend, who happens to be a ghost, as well as recalling his past life as a samurai warrior, Wolf is able to make the right decision on which path he will take in life. Book two, based on the samurai warrior Junsaku, will be released in 2021.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08BFN4KYS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 2nd edition (June 17, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 17, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 353 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

About the author

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Tenkara Smart

Tenkara Smart

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Tenkara Smart grew up surfing in San Diego, California, even once having a close encounter with a hammerhead shark while surfing near the Mexican border, causing her to exit pronto! Now, living in Australia, where the sharks are generally larger, (and seemingly have more close-encounters with humans), she doesn’t surf - but she loves to kayak, paddleboard, walk/hike, and spend any minute she can with her husband. Together, they travel often, especially to Japan, where her heart feels at home.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
61 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the imaginative storyline and vivid imagery that transports them into a child's imagination. The characters are complex, likable, and full of personality. The story is described as inspiring and heartwarming, with a healthy dose of spirituality and inner strength.

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ReadabilityStory qualityImaginationCharacter developmentStrengthInspirationBeautyWriting style
16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as a well-written young adult novel that is worth reading and a brilliant first book in a series. The author is mentioned as one to watch.

"...In short, although it may be triggering for some, this is well worth the read. I am very excited to read her future works! *5 Stars*" Read more

"...Some chapters are leisurely paced as if preparing for a brisk move, after which the pace is picking up the speed and takes your breath away with..." Read more

"...Overall, an enjoyable read with a few distracting details. I look forward to reading more in this series, and by Tenkara Smart." Read more

"...Wonderfully done and I look forward to reading more about Wolf's many lives in the upcoming books within this series!" Read more

15 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find the story imaginative, delightful, and well-paced. The ending is surprising, and the author is a promising new writer.

"...Tenkara has created a phenomenal coming of age story filled with imagination and a healthy dose of spiritualism and inner..." Read more

"...and more amazing things you can find out while reading this fantastic novel...." Read more

"She Names Me Wolf is a beautiful tale of pain, resilience, and companionship found in unexpected places...." Read more

"...The tone is dark, sometimes painful, sometimes magical. The story is a sad one, no doubt about it, and as I continued through the sometimes short,..." Read more

14 customers mention "Imagination"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the vivid imagery and imaginative storytelling in this book. They find it entertaining, with plenty of fantastical elements for fans of fantasy and sci-fi. The story explores Wolf's life in depth, and tackles big topics in an interesting way.

"...Third, this is not simply a book for entertainment purposes. It is entertaining, but it also wrestles with some serious issues...." Read more

"...There are plenty of fantastical elements for those interested in fantasy/sci-fi, and integration of both Australian and Japanese cultures...." Read more

"...It was a whimsical reminder that we are all connected, human, animal, and planet alike...." Read more

"Seamlessly slipping between dark and imaginative She Named Me Wolf describes one boy’s perilous journey to survive physical abuse at the hands of..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They find Wolf likable and complex, with a lot of personality. The characters are beautifully written and interesting. Readers appreciate the author's ability to blend Wolf's real life with fantastical adventures. They also mention that the number of characters isn't numerous, and the book deals with abuse in an honest and blunt way.

"...Specifically, Tenkara deals with abuse in an honest and blunt way. Although it might be triggering for some, I found it to be very worthwhile...." Read more

"...🐼The Characters: The number of characters isn’t numerous. The writer managed to depict all of them flawlessly in all aspects...." Read more

"...The author does a great job at blending the harsh realities of Wolf's real life with the fantastical adventures that parallel it...." Read more

"...deft handling of the difficult topic, and the authenticity scripted into the interchanging scenes featuring Japan, Native American culture, martial..." Read more

7 customers mention "Strength"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a beautiful tale of pain, resilience, and companionship. They say it's a story of survival and how the life cycle is intertwined.

"...filled with imagination and a healthy dose of spiritualism and inner-strength...." Read more

"She Names Me Wolf is a beautiful tale of pain, resilience, and companionship found in unexpected places...." Read more

"...The strength of the boy, the friendship he finds in Polly, and how he overcomes his obstacles is inspirational. This is a MUST READ book." Read more

"Tenkara Smart weaves a delightful coming of age story of struggle, survival, and happiness found in an imaginary world...." Read more

6 customers mention "Inspiration"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring for young adults. They appreciate the story of struggle, survival, and happiness found in an imaginary world. The book offers a healthy dose of spirituality and inner strength to help the protagonist overcome obstacles. Readers also mention the beautiful friendship and how the boy overcomes his obstacles.

"...coming of age story filled with imagination and a healthy dose of spiritualism and inner-strength...." Read more

"...Me Wolf is a beautiful tale of pain, resilience, and companionship found in unexpected places...." Read more

"...The strength of the boy, the friendship he finds in Polly, and how he overcomes his obstacles is inspirational. This is a MUST READ book." Read more

"...wolf had to deal with through his life, it also describes a beautiful friendship along with ways to deal with the difficulties & challenges life can..." Read more

4 customers mention "Beauty"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's beauty. They find the simplicity and vivid imagery appealing. The writing is described as clean, sometimes stark, and fantastical.

"...with the earth and all of its creature to be an especially beautiful trait, especially considering his home life circumstances...." Read more

"Tragic and haunting and a not-to-miss read. Tenkara Smart has used vivid imagery and suggestive imagination to weave this tale of a young boy's..." Read more

"...to expect in this novel, but it took me by surprise with its beautiful simplicity...." Read more

"Heartbreakingly Beautiful..." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some like it, while others find grammatical errors distracting and the timeline confusing.

"...🐶The Writing Style: I adored the writing style of this writer from cover to cover...." Read more

"...I felt that the few spelling and grammatical errors were distracting and took away from my personal reading experience...." Read more

"...The writing is clean, sometimes stark, sometimes fantastical. The tone is dark, sometimes painful, sometimes magical...." Read more

"...-Content Warning: abuse, suicidal thoughts, violence. Very tough to read. -Time jumps made this a complicated timeline to follow...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ian Conrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book was wonderful!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    In following the daily life of Wolf, who endures abuse from his father but receives continual support from a ghost named Polly, Master Kelly (his martial-arts instructor), and a whole cast of critters around his yard (who sometimes also get him into trouble), Tenkara has created a phenomenal coming of age story filled with imagination and a healthy dose of spiritualism and inner-strength.

    From the very beginning I was drawn into her story and there are few things that I think are worth noting. First, she developed her characters beautifully and I felt like I really got to know them. Wolf was such a likable and complex character that I instantly fell in love with him and I am eager to read more about him in later books. Likewise, his parents, Polly, and even Aaron (the ant) and Korey (the Koala) were so interesting and full of personality that I always enjoyed when they entered the story. Second, I don't want to give any spoilers so I won't say too much, but the plot itself was very well paced and engaging. The relationship between Wolf and his family unfolded naturally and in a way that felt very real. Third, this is not simply a book for entertainment purposes. It is entertaining, but it also wrestles with some serious issues. Specifically, Tenkara deals with abuse in an honest and blunt way. Although it might be triggering for some, I found it to be very worthwhile. There were one or two parts that were hard for me to get through, but in a good way. She exposed the reality that so many children face from abusive and broken adults, and yet she always made sure to show the humanity in all of them. A prominent theme in her book was on choices that we make, and I found it to be very effective in the plot and edifying for myself. There were moments I set the book down and just wanted to love on my children because I knew that Wolf's life was not merely fiction. As a parent, I have choices to make, and I wanted to make the ones that showed my children I loved them. It's rare that a fiction book has the kind of impact on me that it influences some of the decisions of my daily life.

    In short, although it may be triggering for some, this is well worth the read. I am very excited to read her future works! *5 Stars*
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ellen Khodakivska
    5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious, thrilling and amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    🐼BOOK REVIEW / “She Named Me Wolf”/ Tenkara Smart🦘
     ___
    Genre: YA Novel   
    Pages: 329
    Language: English
    Release date: 2020
     
    🦘Reading this book was like having a tea ceremony on the top of Mount Fuji with panda, kangaroo, ants, and young sportsman, who can see invisible things and reveal their secrets to you. 

    🐎The Plot:  The glorious YA novel tells us a story about a boy named Wolf who was unlucky to be born in a family where a father is an alcoholic. His older brother also treats Wolf in a horribly disrespectful way. Simultaneously, Wolf has a sort of magic powers; he can see that nobody sees and talks to animals and ghosts. So, the boy finds an escape in a friendship with ghosts, animals, and karate training that his mother finds for him. Whether Wolf can withstand injustice? Whether his friendship with ‘imaginary friends’ and extraordinary abilities can save his life? Whether he can find his own path despite the challenging chapter of his life? All the answers and more amazing things you can find out while reading this fantastic novel.

    🐶The Writing Style: I adored the writing style of this writer from cover to cover. It seems that all the novel is written in a ‘karate training’ style. Some chapters are leisurely paced as if preparing for a brisk move, after which the pace is picking up the speed and takes your breath away with emotional twists.   

    🐼The Characters: The number of characters isn’t numerous. The writer managed to depict all of them flawlessly in all aspects. One of the things I loved the most is that how accurately their habits were described. One more thing that stole my bookish heart is how brilliantly animals’ perspectives and voices were presented and how they interacted with the main character.  

    💙My Favorite Quote: There are many quotes in this book that I wrote out for myself. One of them is “…the emotions you feel are dependent on how you react to things…”

    🌝Would I read other books by this author: Absolutely yes!

    🌟My humble rating is: 5.5/5
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jordan Gibson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Magical and enjoyable!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I was very excited and honored to read this novel. Its length and content are perfect for anyone who likes the YA genre. There are plenty of fantastical elements for those interested in fantasy/sci-fi, and integration of both Australian and Japanese cultures. I was able to dedicate myself to reading this book in one day thanks to rainy weather at the campground.

    Mrs. Smart did well in writing about a young boy living in an abusive household. It’s never easy to write about this topic and toe the line of physical violence being “too descriptive” vs. “not descriptive enough”. I thought that she handled the balance perfectly and although what Wolf went through was harrowing, I never felt overwhelmed by it, and it did not affect my ability to continue reading. The way that Wolf escapes reality seems very authentic for a victim of abuse, and I commend the author for her ability to write about a tough subject.

    In future novels for the series “The Many of Lives of Wolf”, there are a few issues that I would love to see addressed. I felt that the few spelling and grammatical errors were distracting and took away from my personal reading experience. I mostly noticed mistakes ranging from the wrong “your/you’re” and “to/too” to mixing of Australian vs. American English (mainly with “colour/color”). Additionally, I felt that the pacing at the beginning and end of the book was a little frantic. The author could have easily added a few chapters to allow for more cohesion and less rushing. I would also like to see some more structure in future books - perhaps the chapters could be divided into “parts” if there are time jumps.

    Overall, an enjoyable read with a few distracting details. I look forward to reading more in this series, and by Tenkara Smart.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • K. G. A. Alavi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Choices on the path
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A very good but dark story. Shown main through the eyes of an abused child. There are a lot of emotions and feelings that need to be processed, also the imagination parts of the book need to be shown as escapism is a big part of how people deal with abuse. Also the effects on the rest of the family are shown by by how other members of the family deal with things.

    This book covers the more spiritual side of martial arts. Strong spirits, and wisdom. The physical side, as much as I would have like Wolf to fight alto earlier in the book, I appicare the realism of Martial Arts taking years to learn to be effective, daily practice to home instincts as well as physically developing into the right physical frame. As a personal preference I would like to see more of the martial arts side coming up in the next books.

    A part of the book that really rang a bell with me is defending yourself at school, but getting in trouble for it. I am sure everyone has a story like that. I can't wait to see where the next part of Wolf's past, present or future lives.
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  • Toula Gordillo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jungian themes in a fantasy novel
    Reviewed in Australia on January 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    She Named Me Wolf is a synchronistic blend of mystic themes combined with raw and real emotion. Once I took the time to become fully immersed in this coming-of-age story, I couldn't put it down. I read it over an entire weekend.

    As a clinical and Jungian psychologist, as well as a fellow creative writer of fantastic/magical realism young adult prose, I see many of Jung's themes in Tenkara's poignant novel.

    In an illustration of Jungian choice and consequence, the importance of a connection to nature and the duality of the physical and metaphysical experience, Tenkara's leading character, a boy named Wolf, can speak with animals. He was also a Samurai warrior in a past life and a natural-born karate champion in this one. If that's not an interesting enough plot, Wolf also has a friend...a helpful and supportive ghost named Polly. She encourages him to make positive choices when his mother and brother, sadly, fail to help him to cope with an utterly unpredictable alcoholic father.

    What does it mean to live in a tumultuous family? Through exploring the 'lived' experience of Tenkara's well-developed characters, the reader can answer this question for themselves. With much material to consider, this moving story will make you laugh as well as cry. Beautifully written, I would highly recommend a read. You will be glad you did.
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  • sandy145
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional captivating story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Wow this book is nothing like I've read before. The author weaves a beautiful but heartbreaking story at times. It gives you so many emotions, captivating you from the very first chapter. I can't wait to read where wolfs path in life will go.

    Read as part of a book club
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  • Nashomega
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone makes their own choice
    Reviewed in Australia on June 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This story touches a lot of truth and takes you on a journey on how ur choices define your life.
    Wolf is a lovely boy who has special friends. He can speak with dogs, birds, ants and most of all Polly - a ghost.

    Wolf is mistreated and beaten by his father. Unfortunately, there is no one to help him. While his elder brother is a useless and his mother spends most of her life hoping that his father would improve.
    As he grows Wolf becomes weary - thinks of running away and even at a point decides to end it all.

    The story is emotional, it will make you cry, and at the same time spring your imagination. But it tells you ultimately its your choice. If you are in a bad situation ... It's up to you to remove yourself, fight back and make a change. You can either be the victim or you can take charge. It reminds you a bully/abusive/manipulative person will not change... It is you who must.

    The author beautifully outlines several imaginative elements with larger than life characters. I highly recommend this one.
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  • SJM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dark but Beautiful Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading about Wolf and his heart wrenching fight against the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. There is a mixture of the supernatural and the young boy’s imagination which leaves you guessing what’s real and what isn’t. Some of it takes the story a little off track, but it lightens this very sad story and makes you really understand the inner confusion the boy suffered. He loves his dad when he’s sober, but even then never really trusts him, or even his mother, who also suffers but fails to protect Wolf.
    I would have liked to have seen a bit more about the martial arts training he received from his Sensei, which ultimately is his saviour.
    I feel this book is perfect for children and young teenagers, as it deals with hard hitting issues, but as it’s told through the eyes of a child, highly relatable and a good way to open debate and foster empathy.
    I’m looking forward to reading more about Wolf and/or the other lives he’s lived!
    I read this as part of a book club.
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