Description

“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

Publisher Review

"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." -- Alex O'Connell * The Times * "The writing raises this to classic status ... Gripping and profound." -- Amanda Craig * The New Statesman * 'Wolfstongue is a hugely original tale with classic influences and infrastructure.' -- Sara Keating * The Irish Times * "A stunning book" -- Justine Carbery * The Irish Independent * 'Thompson is a superb writer. There is a dreamlike quality to his prose.' -- Philip Womack * Literary Review * 'A startling entrance into children's fiction.' -- Pet O'Connell * The Echo * 'An unforgettable fable. Raw, devastating and brilliantly written.' -- Lucy Strange 'A fiercely gentle tale, heartwarming and brave.' -- Myra Zepf 'An edge-of-the-seat adventure.' -- Meg Rosoff 'An intelligent and powerful story about words and language and what it means to have a voice. The illustrations by Anna Tromop are stunning too!' -- A. M. Howell 'An absolute delight. Warm and thoughtful, full of insight.' -- Kelly McCaughrain 'Wolfstongue has modern classic written all over it.' Patricia Forde -- Patricia Forde 'A stunning fantasy adventure.' -- Brid Conroy * Mayo News * 'Children - and adults! - everywhere will certainly find comfort and magic within Wolfstongue's pages.' -- Karla Brading * Buzz Magazine * '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.' -- Jake Hope * Youth Libraries Group * '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 * "One of the most extraordinary children's books I've ever read." -- Anthony McGowan