'As in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the dynamics of oppression and resistance that play out between animals mirror those between humans.’ – The New York Times
'Sober, stirring fantasy.' The Wall Street Journal
‘Has all the makings of a modern classic with its exhilarating mix of ancient fable and contemporary issues. … Not since Watership Down have animal dynamics felt so true and the political undertones so live. … I predict howls of approval — and prizes.’ – The Times ‘Gripping and profound.’ – The New Statesman
‘Wolfstongue is a hugely original tale with classic influences and infrastructure.’ – The Irish Times
‘A startling entrance into children’s fiction.’ – The Echo
‘A stunning fantasy adventure.’ – Mayo News
‘One of the most extraordinary children’s books I’ve ever read.’ –Anthony McGowan, author of The Fall
‘An unforgettable fable. Raw, devastating and brilliantly written.’ – Lucy Strange, author of The Ghost of Midnight Lake
‘An edge-of-the-seat adventure.’ – Meg Rosoff, author of How I Live Now
‘Wolfstongue has classic written all over it.’ – Patricia Forde, author of The List
‘Thompson is a superb writer. There is a dreamlike quality to his prose.’ – Literary Review
‘Every now and again, a remarkable new children’s book comes along which is a pleasure to read, isn’t too long, and is filled with a sense of profound meaning and significance without ever feeling preachy. Wolfstongue is precisely this.’ – BookTrust
‘Brilliantly compelling whilst at the same time making profound comments about the way language and expression help to define us and, when limited, can equally confine us, really powerful.’ – Youth Libraries Group
‘This heart felt and exciting adventure has plenty to interest and reflect on.’ – Readers that Care
‘This is a wonderful story that will have you on the edge of your seat.’ – Addicted to Books
‘Children – and adults! – everywhere will certainly find comfort and magic within Wolfstongue’s pages.’ – Buzz Magazine
‘Lyrical, fierce, thoughtful, brave, emotional…a story of facing your fears and finding your voice. What a stunning book!’ – Fallen Star Stories
‘This is a wonderful book, it is heart warming, and full of adventure.’ – Bookbound
‘Wolfstongue is an absorbing read and perfect for fans of the natural world, intrigue and adventure.’ This Book is Brilliant!
‘A powerful story about standing up to bullies, doing what’s right and the power of language, this is a lyrical, beautiful children’s-book debut.’ – What I Read
‘Heady, lyrical and earthy.’ – Lily and the Fae
2022-03-29
A boy with speech difficulties discovers that he can talk to animals.
Sometimes, no matter how hard Silas tries to speak, the words won’t come. At school, bullies call him names like Silence. And he can’t tell a teacher—or even his parents, for fear of disappointing them. But when he meets Reynard, a cunning fox, and Isengrim and Hersent, a wolf couple, speaking up becomes a matter of life and death. In a magical parallel world, foxes—troublingly emulating humans—enslaved wolves and worked them to near extinction in order to construct their habitat, a city they called Earth. After escaping captivity, Isengrim and Hersent are the only wolves left. When Reynard kidnaps their pups, intending to breed a new race of slaves, Isengrim and Hersent need Silas to be their Wolfstongue, a human who speaks for them, if they are to have any hope of rescue. But can Silas find the words? Drawing on characters from medieval European fables, Thompson thoughtfully examines how words can hurt and heal, emphasizing language’s powerful influence on characters’ self-perception. Silas’ speech difficulty is unnamed, enabling readers with a variety of similar conditions to see themselves reflected. Secondary characters, including an arrogant cat who banters with a snarky raven, add humor. Though somewhat abrupt, the ending realistically avoids a pat resolution to Silas’ troubles. Tromop’s realistic black-and-white illustrations accentuate the grim, mysterious atmosphere. Human characters default to White.
Unusual and thought-provoking. (map, author interview) (Fantasy. 8-11)
