In 1971, Jean Craighead George and her son Luke went on a trip to Barrow, Alaska, to do research on wolves for an article for Reader's Digest.

[5][6] At the Barrow Arctic Research Lab, George observed scientists who were studying wolves and attempting to break their communication code.

[6][7] She allegedly witnessed a man bite the wolf on the top of its nose and communicate with it in soft whimpers, and "the incident stayed with George".

[6][7] The character of Miyax/Julie is based on an Inuk woman named Julia Sebevan, who taught George "about the old ways of the Inuits [sic]".

Miyax realizes she has no way of reaching her friend and finds herself lost in the Arctic wild with only her own strength and knowledge between her and death.

"[13] The inclusion of Julie of the Wolves in elementary school reading lists has been challenged several times due to parental concerns regarding the attempted rape of the main character.

[16] Her review was published on the Alaska Native Knowledge Network and subsequently republished by Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature with the title "Not Recommended".

[17] Since its first publication, Julie of the Wolves has also been published in at least thirteen other languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Turkish, Chinese, and Japanese.

[19][20] The musical stars Briana Sakamoto as Julie, and a workshop production was held on May 16, 2004, at The Northern Westchester Center for the Arts' Kaufman Theater.

[21] As of November 2005, Kubie notes on his website that "the journey of Julie Of The Wolves (the musical) continues as the writer Barbara Dana, prepares yet another rewrite.