The Wild Book
by Juan Villoro
Translated by Lawrence Schimel
Interest age: 10 to 14
Reading age: 10+
Published by Restless Books, 2017
About this book
When Juan's parents split up, he's sent to spend the summer with his uncle Tito – a reclusive soul who lives with three cats and more books than you could possibly imagine. So many, in fact, that Tito gives Juan a bell in case he gets lost in the labyrinthine library.
But things are about to get even stranger, as Tito discovers that Juan has a special gift and decides to set him on a very special quest...
This quirky tale – originally published in Mexico – is a delight, giving books a life of their own. Before long, you'll see your reading list in a whole new way, whether it's realising that your favourite book may seem completely different to someone else or wondering just how much of your energy the pages really do pick up.
The Wild Book has a classic, magical feel, but it's also grounded in reality, as we see Juan coming to terms with his parents' separation and his feelings for Catalina, the girl who works in the local pharmacy. And Tito is a wonderfully rich character, from his constant need to urinate to his obsession with creating literary recipes.
A must-read for book-lovers everywhere.
More books like this
-
My Swordhand is Singing
by Marcus Sedgwick
9 to 14 years
-
Cities Going Wild
by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Christiane Engel
7 to 11 years
-
The Last Wolf
Author-Illustrator Rob Biddulph
9 to 11 years
-
The Blitz Sisters
by Judith Eagle
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Summer reads for 8-12s
Here are our suggestions for summer reads – and there's something for every child, aged 8-12 years old. New books; old books; books about summer; books to get lost in; and books that come in series, so they won't have to stop reading this summer!
-
Best children's books to help talk about divorce and separation
Family break-ups are a sad and delicate time for everyone involved. Here are some of our favourite children's books for easing those difficult conversations, suitable for a range of ages.