Battle of the Books Challenge: Two Old Women

Since I'll be taking college classes to get my masters in teaching high school mathematics over the summer, I kicked off my 2025–2026 Battle of the Books reading challenge earlier than usual this year with a familiar favorite: Two Old Women by Velma Wallis. It’s been over two decades since I last read it, but diving back in felt like revisiting a well-worn trail—still sharp, still stunning, and still just as powerful as I remembered.

If you're not familiar, Two Old Women is an Alaska legend retold—It’s the kind of story that sticks with you—not because it’s flashy or dramatic, but because it quietly knocks the wind out of you. Two elderly women are left behind by their tribe during a brutal winter (which, let’s be honest, is a pretty solid reason to hold a grudge), and instead of giving up, they decide... nope, not today. They rely on what they remember, what they’ve learned, and a stubborn streak a mile wide to make it through. It hits that sweet spot of being both deeply Alaskan and universally resonant.

That said, I forgot just how quickly the story wraps up. I found myself wishing Wallis had lingered just a little longer—maybe given us a few more chapters about the women after their summer harvest. What did they do with their second chance? How did they shape the community that once left them behind? Honestly, I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

Still, that might be part of the book’s magic. It leaves you wanting more. It reminds us that strength doesn't always look the way we expect it to, and that quiet stories can carry loud truths.

Also — I read this one with a scoop of salted caramel gelato. Highly recommend.