The Wild Way Home
by Sophie Kirtley
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Bloomsbury, 2020
About this book
When Charlie’s longed-for baby brother is born with a serious heart condition, Charlie is so distressed that he runs away from the hospital and seeks refuge in the tranquillity of the nearby forest.
What he finds is not the peace he was hoping for but a strangely dressed boy lying face down in a shallow part of the river. Although the boy is alive, he needs medical attention. But when Charlie tries to go for help, he finds the forest has changed into something more wild and threatening.
And the roads and hospital that should be close by have disappeared completely. Somehow, Charlie has fallen into the Stone Age. Can he survive? Can he save the injured boy? And will he ever make it back to his own home and time?
This multi-layered time-slip adventure is both thrilling and moving. In the midst of life-threatening danger from wild beasts and environmental hazards, Charlie unexpectedly learns about his fears, his courage, his compassion and the importance of family and love.
A perfect story to show how, when bad things happen, it’s OK to be scared but that most storms can be weathered with support from those who care about you.
More books like this
-
Swanfall
by Sophie Kirtley
9 to 11 years
-
The Haunting of Fortune Farm
by Sophie Kirtley, illustrated by Ben Mantle
9 to 14 years
-
Quill and the Last Generation
by C M Lewis, illustrated by Maria Vidal
9 to 14 years
-
The Uninvited
by Ross Mackenzie
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books about grief for 8+
Books can help children to understand sad feelings. We’ve suggested some books that are excellent reads and can help children cope with tough emotions.
-
Stone Age to Iron Age history topic booklist
Stone Age to Iron Age Britain features in the history curriculum for primary schools across England and Wales, and children are often curious to learn more about this fascinating era. We have hand-picked a selection of books which connect with this period, and which would work well alongside a history topic.