“Having escaped their city, Juniper Green and her brother Bear have settled in Ennerdale with their dad and his family. Every day the Wild introduces them to a new wonder, but Juniper can’t stop worrying about her grandmother and best friend Etienne left behind. When she hears news that disease has entered the city, she’s determined to bring her loved ones to safety.
Trapped in a city riddled with disease and run by a ruthless leader, Etienne longs for the Wild. With the guards becoming more aggressive to counteract the growing rebellion, Etienne’s prepared to fight for his freedom. But will he be able to protect himself and keep those around him safe until Juniper returns from the Wild?”
When the Wild Calls is the powerful sequal to Nicola Penfold’s Where the World Turns Wild. Join Juniper and Bear in this raw and incredibly thought-provoking dystopian adventure as they travel back from the Wild to rescue those they love and bring hope to the barren city.
Cleverly told from dual point of view, readers are swept into an anxious reality with Juniper in the Wild and Etienne in the city. The threat of disease, vaccine trials, restirctions of day-to-day life and fear of strangers hits a bit close to home for adult readers and children who are old enough to have been aware of the stress of the COVID pandemic. This parrallel brings a realism to the story and pulls readers in with an emotional connection.
Utter reliance on nature in Juniper and Bear’s new community in the Wild alongside Etienne and the rebellion’s attempts to bring rewilding to the city help readers to realise the importance of our natural world. Warnings of the climate crisis and dwindling biodiversity ripple like shock waves through the pages. This is a call to action with Juniper as she risks everything to save her loved ones and the city from those in power who seek to control and destroy everything.
Nicola Penfold’s characters are empowering role models for young readers – showing how important it is to stand up for what you believe in and have courage. Often, the best choice is not the easiest but readers are sure to be inspired to play their part in helping our world.
Publishing on 11th April 2024, When the Wild Calls is the perfect class read in Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 for Earth Day on 22nd April.
Thank you to Little Tiger for an early copy of this engaging book!
Books by Kate Heap (ad):
Order Fiction & Poetry and Non-fiction for Year Two on the links below:
Books for Years 3 -6:
Scope for Imagination 