A compelling story of animals on a perilous mission, The Wild Ones by Steve Cole is our Children’s Book of the Month for August. In this handy parent’s guide you can find out all about the book, its themes and subject matter.
What is the book about?
Imagine a world where all humans have vanished and danger hides in the shadows. That’s the reality for Scamp – a Jack Russell Terrier – when the Night of the Great Growl descends, the people disappear and the terrible Things start roaming the streets. Now Scamp must leave his cosy life at the pet centre behind and lead a band of other animals, including Chandelier the cat and Punzel the rabbit, on a perilous journey into the wilds on the scent of their former carer Pam – and ultimate safety.
What made it our Children’s Book of the Month?
We love a good animal story, especially when it’s filled with excitement and suspense, and The Wild Ones is one of the best. Mixing a post-apocalyptic setting steeped in atmosphere and mystery with an uplifting quest narrative of found family and resilience, Steve Cole’s unputdownable novel is filled with unforgettable characters and thrilling set pieces. And despite the sinister setting, there is a huge amount of warmth and humour as well; just be warned you might need tissues to hand.
Who is it for?
Fans of our former Children’s Book of the Year I Am Rebel will adore the animal adventure of The Wild Ones, as will all fans of dystopian fiction of middle-grade reading age.
What are the key themes and topics explored?
The Wild Ones is very much a story of found family, friendship and teamwork with all of the animal characters possessing traits which contribute to the success of the quest as a whole. As their journey continues and they are thrown into situations of increasing jeopardy, the friends – and particularly their leader Scamp – learn to adapt and discover qualities they never knew they possessed as well as strengthening their relationships with each other.
Does it contain any specific content that parents should be aware of?
Whilst it is packed with heart and humour, there is no getting away from the fact that the premise and setting of the story are quite dark and a bit scary. Cole describes the ravaged world post-Night of the Great Growl and the appearance and attacks of the dread Things in age appropriate terms but some readers of a more nervous disposition might find it a bit creepy.
Is it a standalone story or part of a series?
We live in hope that there will be a reprise of Scamp and co.’s gripping adventures but, as things stand, The Wild Ones is a self-contained, standalone novel.
What other books are similar?
As previously mentioned, Ross Montgomery‘s Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year winning I Am Rebel hits many of the same emotional notes as The Wild Ones with its tail (sorry) of a devoted and resilient dog’s journey to reunite with its master. Phil Earle‘s Until the Road Ends also employs themes of war and separation in its story of a stray dog tenaciously pursuing its evacuated owner during World War II. Meanwhile, Piers Torday‘s modern classic The Last Wild flips the animal-human dynamic by presenting a post-apocalyptic world where it’s the animals who are all but wiped out and one boy has the special ability to communicate with the few survivors.
