By Steve Cole (author) , Johanna Tarkela (illustrator)
"This group of brave pets will win readers’ hearts."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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Part The Incredible Journey , part My Side of the Mountain , bestselling author Steve Cole’s new book is utterly thrilling, the story of a band of animal friends on a journey of survival, supporting one another in a very dangerous world as they try to make their way to safety.
Scamp, a Jack Russell, is comfortable at the pet care centre that is his home, where he’s loved and looked after by the manager, Pam. Everything changes on the ‘Night of the Great Growl.’ Suddenly the world is changed, buildings destroyed, humans gone, even – eventually – Pam who leaves, promising to come back.
Scamp takes responsibility for looking after the other animals, Chandy the cat, Patticake an ageing dachshund, Nudge and Wink the hamsters, Punzel the rabbit and Falstaff, a parrot with a bank of Shakespeare quotes in her memory. Together they set out in search of food heading towards ‘paradise,’ a park glimpsed from the air by Falstaff which looks green and enticing from a distance.
Their journey is filled with heart stopping moments as they come across the terrifying ‘Things’, make friends, encounter other enemies and experience both love and betrayal. The tension is lightened by humour, much provided by the irrepressibly optimistic little hamsters, and readers will be gripped throughout, desperate for the friends to reach their paradise. The Wild Ones has all the elements of a classic animal story, and this bunch of one-time pets will win a place in the hearts of all.
'The old familiar world had gone. Out there in the cold and gusting dark, something new and unknown was waiting...'
Read the full description
Scamp lives at a pet care centre. He has friends, food and a warm bed. But one terrible night - the Night of the Great Growl - his world changes for ever.
The people have vanished and all that's left outside are the Things: vicious, starving beasts that roam the ruined city. Driven into the wilds - with Chandelier the cat, Punzel the rabbit, Patticake the dachshund, Falstaff the parrot and hamsters Nudge and Wink - Scamp sets off in search of safety.
On their epic journey, Scamp must discover his own wildness if he's to lead the pets to the one thing they so desperately need - a new home.
A moving, beautifully written survival quest story perfect for fans of I Am Rebel. Set to win the hearts of children the world over with irresistible full-page illustrations.
A letter from the author:
Hello, my name is Steve,
I’m here because, although I’ve written over 200 books in the last 20+ years, The Wild Ones marks a new direction for me, and I’m so excited to share the story with you. I can’t bend your ear in person, but I hope you won’t mind me telling you more about it! ( The Wild Ones , not your ear.)
The basic idea is ‘The apocalypse, as it happened to pets’ – or ‘ The Walking Dead but with rescue animals.’ A modern take on that old Disney classic The Incredible Journey with a slightly larger cast (or Homeward Bound if you prefer the remake!). I love animals, and as well as small furry pets my family has always taken in rescue dogs.
The latest is Clara, a staffy/greyhound cross who’d wound up in a shelter having been terribly neglected. I’m blessed she made me her human ten years ago, and I’ve often wanted to put her in a book…
The bare bones of The Wild Ones came to me during lockdown in 2020 when things were heading a little south of Dystopia. I knew at once it would lead my imagination in a more serious direction than usual for my middle-grade work, elevating heart as well as humour. To do it just right would take time, and I had other projects in play, so the new story had to take a back seat.
I confess, I let things drift until, one day, late in 2024, I was visiting schools in Shanghai. Outside a small village, I saw a feral dog half hidden in the long grass, chewing on a plastic lid (pictured right). Tough. Surviving. It was like a real-world reminder of my imaginary Wild Ones! I resolved to make time for their adventure as soon as I returned, and that’s what I did.
(No Clara, though! I couldn’t bear to put her through the epic ordeals and dangers the other pets face, although she does make a cameo and the book is dedicated to her.)
The abandoned pets in The Wild Ones are innocents thrust into a scary, unpredictable world where all rules have gone out the window. A world that they must navigate together if they are ever to find safety and a new way of living. Without getting preachy I feel that today’s children, as they grow older, face similar challenges.
Like my characters, I hope they can learn to trust their instincts and find community and agency in each other’s company. Set themselves free. Grow a little wilder.
It took me a year to write The Wild Ones , but I got there in the end … and now The Wild Ones is in your hands! I hope you’ll enjoy spending time with Scamp, Patticake, Chandelier and the rest of the rescues – and that you might help them to find their forever home with loving readers!
"Steve Cole is a master storyteller. Prepare to meet your new favourite bunch of scrappy animals. " - Eoin Colfer
‘A thrilling adventure of bravery, friendship, and finding a home in a broken world.' Abie Longstaff
'A ragtag bunch of pets are out on a journey of survival in a world changed beyond recognition. And what a journey it is! Filled with danger and unknowns around every corner, betrayal and heartbreak, they learn to grow wild, live and love together.' Nizrana Farook
‘Humour, heart and hope.' Abi Elphinstone
Steve Cole was our Guest Editor in November 2011. Click here to find out more and see some of his favourite books.
Steve Cole is a hugely successful British children's author with sales of over 3 million copies. Formerly a children's book editor at various publishing houses, his Astrosaurs series launched his writing career. His work since has spanned many genres, from science fiction and adventure (including Doctor Who and Young Bond titles) to 'cli-fi' , comedy and graphic novels. Known for his lively school visits and infectious enthusiasm for storytelling, Steve has inspired thousands of young readers. In his spare time, he sings and plays bass with his band Faces Fall, teaches salsa dancing and homes rescue animals. He lives in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire. To see more author information click here .
You can see more Steve videos on his YouTube channel - click here .
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'The old familiar world had gone. Out there in the cold and gusting dark, something new and unknown was waiting...' Scamp lives at a pet care centre.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Wild Ones and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Wild Ones features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Animal Stories, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children's and Young Adult Fiction
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Wild Ones was written by Steve Cole and published by Scholastic
The Wild Ones has 246 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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