Run Wild

by Gill Lewis

Izzy and Asha need a space to call their own, away from difficult families, the Skull brothers and the trouble they bring. But the derelict building site where they stake their claim already belongs to something else, a wilderness they never expected and an injured wolf that desperately needs their help. Can they reconnect to the wild and save the wolf? Or is their pack too weak to fight much stronger powers? A stunning tale of our lost connection to nature and the wild that hides in us all, from renowned storyteller Gill Lewis. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Friendship

112 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2018

About the author

Before she could walk, Gill Lewis was discovered force-feeding bread to a sick hedgehog under the rose bushes. Now her stories reflect her passion for wild animals in wild places. She draws inspiration from many of the people she has had the fortune to meet during her work as a vet, both at home and abroad. Gill Lewis has a masters degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and won the 2009 course prize for most promising writer. Her first novel was snapped up for publication within hours of being offered to publishers. She lives in Somerset with her young family and a motley crew of pets. She writes from a shed in the garden, in the company of spiders.

Reviews

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an important book for young people today. Izzy and Asha live in London but have very little outdoor space in which to play. After being forbidden entry to the only place where they can practice skateboarding by two boys who are known to be 'trouble' they find themselves in a derelict building site. Yet, amongst the rubble, wildlife is finding a way to creep back, from tiny beetles to a wolf. This story talks about the importance of being free to roam and explore this wonderful world and our connection with the 'wild'.
Full review to come close to publication!

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high-interest low vocabulary book, designed to appeal to struggling readers, with short chapters, an open layout and an accessible font. But also this is a lovely story, and would certainly appeal to any animal-loving middle-grade reader. My nine-year old daughter loves it and has read it several times. Izzy, Asha and Connor find an abandoned power station in the middle of London. They break in, desperate to find some to practise their skateboarding where they won’t be threatened by the intimidating Skull brothers, Luke and Scott. They find a ramp, better than the ramp in the skate park, and they also find an injured wolf hiding in the building. And the Skull brothers find them. Eventually a camaraderie develops and they all begin to consider both the wasteland and the wolf their own private wilderness. It is their escape from the city, from the demands of school and family. For me it brought back that magical sense of adventure that comes with being a child – breaking rules, forging new paths. But, inevitably, one day they find some men on their land, men that say they are trespassing. Their parents are told, they are in trouble; real life intrudes and the wolf is removed. All seems lost, but perhaps they do have the power to save their wilderness if they can just go the right way about it. Sweet and simple, but gritty and real too. Recommended.

[BooksForTopics · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking novel that explores the connection between children and the natural world, published in Barrington Stoke’s ‘super-readable’ and dyslexia-friendly style. Izzy and her friend Asha live in London and feel like there is no space to play. The only outdoor place to practise skateboarding is occupied by the troublesome Skull brothers. Looking for a new space to roam freely, the friends stumble across a derelict gasworks building and soon discover that among the rubble there is a growing miscellany of wildlife already finding shelter there, including an injured wolf. The children need to tap into their connection with the wild as they attempt to save the wolf and speak up for creating a new nature reserve in the city. Gill Lewis has created an important and moving story about how essential it is to retain dedicated outdoor spaces for people and wildlife to roam freely within the context of busy urban landscapes, because there is a little bit of wild inside us all that otherwise risks being lost in the crowdedness of modern life.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this text. Review to appear on our website near the time of publication.

[Jools · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book, published by Barrington Stoke, that is dyslexia friendly.

A small group of friends and siblings go looking for somewhere to learn to skateboard well and enter the fenced off land around an old gasworks. They know they should not be there, but risk that to practice a ground-flat ollie. The land holds more for them than the opportunity to do this though. It has a wonderful array of wildlife, including some rare farting beetles. And a wolf that is hurt and starving.

This story is an allegory to the importance of wilderness to humans, as well and the creatures it supports.

[Me Christine Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many layers to this short story that is an accessible read. The book is on yellow paper to aid dyslexic readers, and whilst the text is an easy read, it doesn’t take away from the story.

A group of city children begin playing in a disused gasworks and stumble across an injured wolf. What follows contains eco-issues, alongside friendship, bullying and family dynamics. The story is engaging and the children are relatable, showing their frustrations with each other and the adults around them. Great story to encourage children to read and consider ecological issues too.

[Paula Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, short and simple, middle grade book. Our 9 year old has just discovered Gill Lewis and is working her way through all of the books by this author, and I am reading them alongside her, although she is a few books ahead of me. This one was very easy for me to read, and fun to escape into for an hour or so. A nice theme of discovering wild spaces in big cities. Thoroughly recommended.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, intelligent and heart-warming story of children finding a wolf in their city's wastelands. The scenario doesn't seem to provide for the most interesting of futures for either party, but this book certainly does. Marvellous.

Please feel free to see the full review at:-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...

[Victoria Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book, easily accessible to dyslexic readers as well as those who want to read chapter books without them being too complex & with smaller text. It explores some important themes about reconnecting with nature, wildlife and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. A good read for a 7-9 year old

[Scott Evans | The Reader Teacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run Wild is an absolute triumph… showcasing friendship, family and fighting for freedom with the natural world around us in a beautifully-written way that’s gloriously wild at heart. It’s definitely earned a place on my classroom bookshelf just as it should do on yours!

[Ugne Krukauskaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a really amazing book if you want to feel like your inside of the book also i would recommend this book if you like animal. I really loves this book and it just a really nice book.
Hope this helped☺️

[Thomas Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small book, really short. I liked it, though. Again, not a replay of Lewis' other books.

[Laura Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book very quickly and it took an unexpected turn to what I thought it was going to so it made for an interesting read!

[Erin Caroline Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it

[Emily Roper · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a very good kids book. probaly wouldnt reccomend for any over 13. i read this years back i think i was about 11

[Zoe Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Year 6 - good for reluctant readers

[Autumn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, highly recommend for middle school - early high school.

“We’ll go to bed,wake up and do the same all over again the next day and the day after that . Forever. I feel empty,like there’s a wolf shaped hole inside me”

[Bethany Sawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Skull brothers take over the local skate park, the girls have to find somewhere else to practise. Finding an abandoned warehouse seems too good to be true, a space all to themselves. Their home isn't a happy place to be at the moment with Dad not working. A wounded wolf has also made it his home but that doesn't stop them exploring. They discover more about nature and themselves than they could ever have imagined. But, when they're discovered, everything starts to go wrong. Can their fierce determination, Connor's fascination with animals and the help of a wildlife expert save the wild haven?

[chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

very quick read but very little plot 😕 2⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, fun read. Good morals, easy to get through, really short. This would make a really good novel if it was longer and more developed.

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because this book is quite thin, it was quite fast moving but quite good. A little boring though