Wolf Club

by James Bird

The Breakfast Club meets Hatchet in this middle-grade novel about three kids who ditch detention to search for an elusive white wolf, who may have the magical powers they need to face their challenges and heal their hearts.

What do a raccoon, a skunk, and a moose have in common?


Okan, the raccoon, is a 13 year old whose mom works so hard he never sees her.


Sara, the skunk, has been teased relentlessly about her body odor ever since her mom died.


And Marcus, the moose, is the bully, the rich kid who seems to have everything, except his parents’ love.


When they hear a white wolf has been spotted in the nearby forest, this unlikely trio heads out on a quest that turns into an adventure of a lifetime.

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

There is more than one author in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for James ^2 Bird.

James Bird is a screenwriter and director at the independent film company, Zombot Pictures; his films include We Are Boats and Honeyglue. A California native of Ojibwe descent, he now lives in Swampscott, Massachusetts with his wife, the author and actor Adriana Mather, and their son. The Brave is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Patti Sabik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the adventure, characters, and message. Although the combination of the kids seemed a bit contrived, I did appreciate how they all came to respect and like each other for themselves rather than their circumstances.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

**Spoilers in weaknesses.**

When a white wolf is sighted in Grand Marais, Minnesota, Okan and his best friend Sara, are determined to find it, especially since Okan's grandmother wants him to protect it. Both have difficult lives. Okan's father abandoned his mother, and his Ojibwe grandmother helped raise him, but now she is sinking deeper and deeper into dementia. Sara's mother has died, and her father is not taking good care of her, so she has gained the nickname "Skunk" because she is not being kept clean. One of her worst tormentors is the school bully, Marcus, a rich kid with uncaring parents. When Okan and Sara skip school to go find the wolf, Marcus, who doesn't like to be called Moose, goes along with them as the "Wolf Club". Marcus and Okan used to be friends, but Marcus' parents didn't want him hanging around with a Native child. The three have quite an adventure in the woods, with a bear threatening them but only licking them, having to go swimming in the cold water, and having Marcus captured and threatened by two men who are also trying to find the wolf. Okan and Sara trick the men into carrying poison ivy, which eventually ends in them being arrested. After there is a radio announcement about missing kids, the three find the cabin of Mr. Goodman, who was a friend of Okan's grandmother, and find out the truth about the wolf. Sara and Okan also find out the truth about their own situations, but knowing the truth helps them to better their lives.
Strengths: There are a lot of middle grade books that address the fact that we should "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle", and this is certainly one. Even Marcus, the rich kid who is rather unpleasant, has things in his part that make him the way he is. The idea of a quest in the woods is always intriguing, and having disparate characters have to work together leads to an interesting story. I don't want to spoil the mystery of the white wolf, but I was not expecting the twist at the end!
Weaknesses: Poison ivy does not immediately take effect and make one itch. It takes at least four hours; my mother always had us wash with Fels Naptha soap after gardening to get the oils off our skin, and we never got a rash. For sensitive readers, it is important to know that Sara's father has died and is still in the house, which is why she has smelled bad for quite some time.
What I really think: This is mainly a realistic fiction book (as long as you can believe the bear licks the children) with an adventure that reveals secrets about the characters, like Anderson's Ms. Bixby's Last Day or Korman's The Fort. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as "The Breakfast Club meets Hatchet", but that's certainly evocative to teachers and librarians of a certain age.

[Sally Kruger]

In WOLF CLUB readers will join a group of three misfits as they set off on a quest to find a white wolf that has caused their community to go on high alert. The three are not normally friends, but working together will help them discover their individual strengths at the same time their weaknesses fade away.

First, there's Okan, known as Raccoon. He is a target for bullies. His gimpy walk and his thrift shop clothes make him the perfect mark, especially for the rich kids. He wishes his mother didn't have to work so hard so they could spend more time together.

Next is Sarah, or Skunk. Her odor has earned her the nickname Skunk. No one knows why she smells so bad, and if anyone asks, they soon regret it. She misses her dead mother and wishes her father wasn't hidden away in his depression.

Marcus, known as Moose, has rich parents, but living in a mansion and having everything doesn't mean his parents show him the love he craves.

When Raccoon hears about the white wolf, he is determined to find it. He enlists the help of Skunk who insists the wolf can solve all her problems, and Moose who basically just comes alone without much of an invitation. What follows is an entertaining adventure. The three adventurers will learn new things about each other and themselves.

Using the backdrop of Native American culture, author James Bird weaves a tale that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of middle grade readers everywhere.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by James Bird. Three kids go on a quest to find a wolf in the mountains. The two boys, Raccoon and Moose, used to be friends but aren’t now. Skunk is Raccoon’s neighbor, and they walk to school together. When Raccoon invites Skunk along he says if we save the wolf he will help us. She goes along and then Moose invites himself. The three slowly begin to get along and talk things out. When they hear there is a search and rescue out for them,Moose leaves and says find the wolf. Do they find the wolf? Will the three now be friends?
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Andrew Hacket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wit, emotion and action, WOLF CLUB, by James Bird, is a must-read. Follow Racoon, Skunk, and Moose, characters who are as complex as they are relatable, as they set off on an adventure that helps them understand themselves and each other in ways they never knew possible. Bird masterfully weaves narrative and emotional arcs that unravel and reveal themselves at just the right moments, making it impossible to put this book down.

[Brianna bribookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I’m behind on my arcs unfortunately. I originally requested this arc to stay on top of some of the middle grade releases so I can recommend to my 4th graders. Despite this being an amazing book with amazing representation, this unfortunately isn’t a book I can recommend to them due to some adult language from time to time. I think this would be fantastic for middle grade and up.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Okan's relationship with his grandmother (especially the crows), his interest in the spirit world of his Native American ancestors and their connection to nature (even if he had to wing it for a bit--that's such a kid-centric viewpoint!), and I learned so many Ojibwe words.

This book is full of my favorite things in middle grade: adventure, magic, hope, and a perspective outside my own. I highly recommend!

[Bibliohiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Three kids went on a quest to find a wolf and end up learning more about each other. They learn that you can make it through anything and even when it looks like someone has it all together or has it all; that may not be the case. I also like the Anishinaabe words along with some animal facts.

[Erin Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I loved the idea of these non-friends going on a quest in the woods. The cards and subsequent signs were imaginative. The truth about Sarah's house was shocking and so sad. A constant underlying message in this is that white men are manipulative, evil-doers and Native Americans are wise and honorable. The crow stuff was a bit overkill. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

[Karen Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing adventure between three unlikely companions. With powerful themes like self-identity, family, friendship and trust. The story will surprise at least once, maybe multiple times (depending on how good you are at predictions, but I sure had one thing throw me for a loop!)

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We’ll walk through this storm together. Every step.”

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons and symbolism are strong in this book. It may appear as the usual "enemies work together" book, it is not. It does contain that, but also a very unexpected ending.

[Britt Buckenroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the hopeful nature of this story despite the harrowing events the characters endure. Unlikely friends form a deep bond and surprise their community. Love this story.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolf Club wasn't exactly like the Breakfast Club meets Hatchet, but that description urged me to dive in right away. After serving detention for fighting, three 13 year olds with very different home situations embark on a forest adventure to save the recently sighted rare white wolf. While on this mission, these middle school teens overcome some personal challenges and learn to accept each other just as they are. As a veteran middle school teacher, I felt that each character was believable and represents many of the middle school students I serve. I even found myself tearing up at one point thinking about my readers who will enjoy this story.