Wild by Ele Fountain

A moving, page-turning novel about a family’s grief and the crisis afflicting the rainforest, from the prize-winning author of Refugee 87

Ever since Jack’s dad died, he’s had a heavy feeling inside. The pressure keeps building. Looking for release, he starts skiving school and hanging around with a group who like to cause trouble. It’s easy to hide his new habits from his mum, an environmental anthropologist, because she’s too busy with work and conservation trips to notice.

As Jack spins further out of control, his mum eventually becomes concerned – and shocks him by suggesting a trip together.

But this will be no relaxing holiday. Soon Jack finds himself on an expedition deep into the rainforest, far from anything he’s ever known. He wanted an adventure – but has he plunged into real danger?

Ele Fountain worked as an editor in children’s publishing where she helped launch and nurture the careers of many prize-winning and bestselling authors. Ele’s debut novel, Refugee 87, won four awards and was nominated for nine more, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and Lost won the 2021 Portsmouth Book Award. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and two daughters.

Author Residence: Hampshire, UK

Author Hometown: Hampshire, UK