Wolfstongue: "A modern classic" - The Times

Sam Thompson, Anna Tromop

From Shelf: @mattlibrarian asks "Can anyone recommend books with animal protagonists that eschew cutesy portrayals of animals?" Twitter answered:

"The best animal adventure since Watership Down" - The Times A boy who finds speaking difficult enters a hidden world of talking animals, a world where language is power. Can he find his voice to help the wolves outsmart the clever foxes?

"The best animal adventure since Watership Down" - The Times The children's debut by Booker-longlisted author Sam Thompson is an engrossing, thoughtful, beautifully written story about humans and animals, voice and power, neurodiversity and acceptance. Silas is bullied at school because his words will not come. He wishes he could live in silence as animals do. Deep in the Forest, the foxes live in an underground city built by their wolf slaves. The foxes' leader Reynard controls everything with his clever talk. One day, Silas helps an injured wolf. Then he enters the secret world of the Forest, where the last remaining wolves fight to survive. But even there, language is power. Can Silas find his voice in time to help his wolf friends - can he become the Wolfstongue? "Each creature has its own character and I love how by having names they feel real and I have been naming creatures when I see them out on my walks." - Oscar, aged 9, child reviewer "Has all the makings of a modern classic." - Alex O'Connell, The Times