In 1939, 12-year-old Donn Fendler was lost for nine days on Mount Katahdin. State troopers, National Guardsmen and hundreds of volunteers searched for him and his story received national news coverage.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Wiscasset Primary School's fourth-graders will meet Donn Fendler and hearing his famous tale of survival.

Fendler credited his Boy Scout training and his will to live for getting him through the ordeal. When Fendler emerged from the woods he had lost sixteen pounds and his body was covered with scratches and insect bites. His tale of survival was told to family friend Joseph B. Egan, and became the book “Lost On A Mountain In Maine.”

Fendler and Maine author Lynn Plourde collaborated on a new version of this true life adventure and have recently published a graphic novel, “Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness,” with illustrator Ben Bishop.

Both books are available at local bookstores or at www.donnfendler.com.

Fendler will meet with fourth-graders at the Wiscasset Primary School and share his story from 9:15 to 11 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend this session. Fendler will be available from 11 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 3 p.m. to chat with parents and members of the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to have Fendler autograph copies of his books should they bring one.

This event is made possible by the partnership of the Wiscasset Public Library and the parent support group of WPS, Partners in Education.