Wild Spirits

by Rosa Jordan

Eleven-year-old Danny Ryan and 19-year-old Wendy Marshall think their friendship is only about looking after two baby raccoons that Danny has rescued. But when a bank holdup upsets Wendy so much that she can hardly stand to be around people, she leaves her job as a teller, retreats to a farm, and surrounds herself with injured and orphaned wildlife. Danny, neglected at home and considered weird in a town where other boys are into hunting, finds peace on the farm, too, plus excitement, as he and Wendy adopt ever more exotic animals such as llamas, bobcats, a serval, an ocelot, and a blind lynx.

Over time the two friends develop a bond that goes beyond care of the animals to caring for each other. As it turns out, Wendy rescues not just wildlife but Danny, as well. What's more, the bank robbers are still at large and still a threat, and Danny, now 14, must act to save Wendy's life.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Immigrated to Canada, 1974. Education: University of California, Los Angeles, B.A.; University of Guanajuato, Mexico, M.A. Addresses: Home: Rossland, British Columbia, Canada.

AWARDS:

Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Special nomination, Parents' Choice Award, and First-Place Award, National Council on Family, all 1997, all for The Sweetest Place; Silver Birch Honours Book designation, and Red Maple Award finalist, both 2005, and Chocolate Lily Award nomination, 2006-07, all for Lost Goat Lane.

Reviews

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because middle grade has no rules, apparently, this clearly middle grade novel centers not on the 11-year-old referenced in the summary, but on the perspective of the 19-year-old girl whose recent PTSD combined with compassion for hurt animals leads to essentially running a wildlife rehab center out of her backyard.

Is there anything I love more than stories where a woman surrounds herself with animals and has a love interest who doesn't totally understand it, but is like, "Yeah, okay," and lets her run with it/indulges her as much as finances will allow (and sometimes beyond)? That's the dream.

And because middle grade has SOME rules re: propriety, I love that in short order she gets married to that guy (a cop! whom she went to high school with!) and essentially begins fostering/big-sistering a local kid with crap parents who finds solace in caring for animals the same way she does.

There are times when you can tell it's meant to be a teaching book introducing the concept of wildlife rehab to young readers, but that did not stop me. I just absolutely loved all the animals and all the relationships between all the people in equal measure. Turning each page was a treat. One of those "I almost wish I'd written it" books.

[Ursina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love animals? Then this novel is for you! A farm of wild animals, a young girl just out of high school and a neglected little boy may not have much in common in this story it really works. Wild Spirits by Rosa Jordan, a Canadian author, is the tale of the healing powers of love. The amazing thing is that other than Wendy's fear I could see this plot being real life. Just you are on the same page as I am:
Newest book from author Rosa Jordan focuses on burgeoning friendship between young girl and boy. 19-year-old Wendy Marshall is a bank teller and has a special kinship with animals of all kinds. While closing for the night, Wendy’s bank is robbed. Terrified of a repeat incident, she is unable to work and retreats to the country. 11-year-old Danny Ryan, neglected at home and ostracized by his peers, befriends Wendy as they rescue and care for injured or orphaned wildlife. Over the next three years Wendy and Danny go beyond caring for animals to caring for each other… But, the robbers from that fateful day are still at large, and in a whirlwind series of events, Danny, now 14, must act to save Wendy’s life.
Wendy has a very normal fear, that she deals with in her own way. She has the support of more than Danny but telling you would spoil the surprise. The research of the different species that show their furry faces in the books was impressive. Wendy seemed so knowledgeable about all kinds of wildlife. She is overall an awe-inspiring character. When she has to quit her job because her fear is just too high to handle the people anymore, she starts a small business from her new home, the farm.
Danny is a special character. Neglected at home, he turns to Wendy for support and Wendy, being the kind soul she is, gives it to him. There is a third character who I loved as well but his name would ruin a pleasant surprise for those that have not read this book.
The plot is about as twisted as a strand of barbed wire. The climax is a brief few pages however, now that I think about it there are other climaxes that are much slower and better than the life-saving event. The whole book lacks the darker emotions but for once this was fine by me.
This tale of love is for animal lovers, girls and those who just want a good story. I'd have to say that this book is 4 and a half stars to me. The twisted plot tangled too much of story for me. Still a good read though! Thanks to Dundurn Press for letting me review a book from another great Canadian author!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Spirits is a quiet, beautiful book. I was drawn in instantly, and I have to say this is one of my favorite books that has ever been sent to me for review.

Wild Spirits takes place in rural Arkansas, where we meet Wendy, a nineteen year old bank teller, and her new young friend Danny. They're drawn together after a traumatic bank robbery leaves Wendy wary of people. Danny was already wary of people, he's bullied by kids in town, and his family life isn't anything to write home about.

The bulk of the action in Wild Spirits takes place a few years after Danny and Wendy meet. Wendy is married to a policeman named Kyle, and Danny is collecting cans and doing odd jobs to avoid his horrible home life. They come together to help care for wounded wild life, and in turn, care for each other.

I learned so much about animals through this book, as Wendy cares from everything from lynxes to llamas. Caring for wounded animals gives Wendy's life purpose, and I have to admire the sacrifices that Wendy and her husband make in order to do so. The animals are often a humorous element in the book, as several of them have their own distinct personalities!

Wendy's life is a happy one until those bank robbers make a reappearance. Still, even after that, Wendy refuses to become a prisoner in her own home. She's scared, but she goes on with her life. Wendy is a strong young woman, and throughout the course of the book, Danny finds his own strength.

My only issue with this book is that the ending was lacking the tension I had been hoping for. Other than that, I thought this book was a wonderful, quick read. If you're an animal lover looking for something a bit different to read, or are looking for a wonderful book for your children to read, I highly recommend Wild Spirits!

[Amber ~ The Reading Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty entertaining read. Not amazing, but interesting, especially if you're an animal lover. I could see the plot as a true life story. The bulk of the story was just daily events in the life of a woman who loves to care for injured and orphaned animals.

Wendy was a fairly mediocre character. The book is written in third person, so I didn't feel like I really bonded with her. Her young friend, Danny, was somewhat of a sad character. Danny avoids spending time at his own home because of his abusive stepfather and drunk mother. He prefers to help Wendy care for her small animal farm. Danny was probably my favorite character simply because I felt bad for him. His compassion and love for the animals was adorable.

I did learn a lot about animals from this book. Wendy took in every animal in need, from bobcats to cute little fawns. When I was little, I thought that I'd spend my life doing what Wendy does. It was fun to take a look at Wendy's life and see what it would've been like.

My biggest issue with the book was the lack of suspense. The story had the potential to be thrilling and exciting, but it fell kind of flat. Other than that, this book was a quick, engaging read. I'd recommend it to any animal lover, as well as young girls and boys in search of a good story.

*Thanks to Dundurn Press for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.