The Wild Girls
on Goodreads (1,854)
What’s inside...
It’s 1972. Twelve-year-old Joan is sure that she is going to be miserable when her family moves. Then she meets a most unusual girl. Sarah prefers to be called ‘Fox,’ and lives with her author dad in a rundown house in the middle of the woods. The two girls start writing their own stories together, and when one wins first place in a student contest, they find themselves recruited for a summer writing class taught by the equally unusual Verla Volante. The Wild Girls brilliantly explores friendship, the power of story, and how coming of age means finding your own answers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What similarities and differences do you see between yourself and the main characters, Newt and Fox?
How do Newt and Fox grow throughout the story and what challenges help them change?
Why do you think the girls choose to call themselves 'The Wild Girls'?
Can you think of a time when you had to be brave like Newt and Fox? What happened?
How do the settings in the story affect the adventures of the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, affirming their ideas to build confidence.
Relate the themes of friendship and adventure in the book to your child’s personal experiences to make the discussion more meaningful.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and why it stood out to them, promoting attention to detail and critical thinking.
Suggest re-enacting a favorite scene or creating alternative endings together to deepen understanding and engagement with the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: In 'The Wild Girls', the bond between the two main characters showcases how genuine friendship provides support and strength during challenging times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture their friendships, understanding that a good friend can be a strong source of support and comfort through various life situations.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a form of expression
Explanation: The characters use writing and storytelling as an outlet for expressing their feelings and ideas, highlighting the importance of creative expression.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and express their thoughts and emotions through creative activities like writing, drawing, or performing, which supports emotional development.
Example Lesson: Importance of challenging societal norms
Explanation: The protagonists confront and challenge gender stereotypes, advocating for equality and the importance of not being confined by traditional roles.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to question and critically think about societal norms and stereotypes, thus fostering a more inclusive and fair mindset.
Example Lesson: Nature as a source of inspiration and learning
Explanation: The setting in the lush forest interacts deeply with the characters, stimulating creativity and learning from the natural environment.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to connect with nature and consider the outdoors as a learning environment that can stimulate creativity and provide peace.