Synopsis
Summary
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.
A story of adventure and friendship from James Bird, an author whose work is praised as “big-hearted” by School Library Journal.
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.
Sarah, 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.
Notable Achievements
Reviews
Booklist, starred: "The book’s mixture of humor, heart, sad realities, and satisfying outcomes delivers a remarkably readable mystical adventure. Each character, encounter, and movement wonderfully expands this odyssey of understanding and resilience. A shining addition to the middle-school canon of survivor stories, Wolf Club needs to be shared and savored."
Publishers Weekly, starred: "Bird ratchets up the tension of this enjoyable action-packed offering—part survival expedition, part identity exploration—one swiftly moving chapter and increasingly perilous scenario at a time."
Kirkus Reviews: "The story includes thoughtful social commentary about protest, preservation, and gentrification. The main characters, who are coming to terms with deep trauma, enjoy an emotional and happy conclusion."
School Library Journal: "The three 13-year-olds are not friends, but each has a reason to hope that the quest will lead them to solutions to their problems. ...An eye-opening window or mirror story for collections that need more stories involving Ojibwe beliefs, relationships, and a touch of the supernatural."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "While the Wolf Club sets out to find the wolf in the hopes of being helped in some way, each kid discovers pieces of their own inner strengths, validates each other’s struggles and humanity, and recognizes the power of friendship to make it through any challenge."
Educator Guide
Link to Guide
