Twelve-year-old Joan is sure that she is going to hate her new home–but almost right away she finds a kindred spirit. “You’re lucky I didn’t just start throwing rocks at you. I can hide in the trees and nail a kid with a rock from thirty feet away.” That’s Sarah, who prefers to be called “Fox,” who lives with her writer father in a rundown house in the middle of the woods–near Joan’s suburb, but it feels like a totally different world. Joan and Sarah–Newt and Fox–spend all their spare time outside, and soon start writing stories together. When they win a contest, they’re recruited for a summer writing class taught by a free spirit named Verla Volante. “Verla said that you need to open a door so that people can walk into your world. . . . To do that, you have to pay attention.” The Wild Girls is about friendship, the power of story, and how growing up means finding your own answers–rather than simply taking adults on faith.
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"You could look at this as just a book about a couple of girls who take a writing class. But it's also about the Wild Girls who live in the woods, one of whom is Queen of the Foxes and the other who has a princess for a mother. And when the Wild Girls start to take part in the stuttering family relationships around them, things aren't ever quite the same again. Especially with the stilt-walking and face-painting and all. Not only a book for the writer-wannabe, but for the timid and those who are troubled by their family problems."
— Savannah (4 out of 5 stars)
" Didn't really like it and didn't finish it!!! "
— Courtney, 2/20/2014" This book is excellent! The whole novel is vividly written and inspiring for young readers. It captured the hearts of any young mind. The characters were described well, from their appearance, feelings, emotions and looks. It has a problem which anyone can relate and there are big revelations. One thing that I had just noticed is that according to the summary the setting was in 1972 but i don't feel it. It's just like it was set in this time. "
— Dada, 2/16/2014" Another way to look at the world and learn to question everything. "
— Wenwe, 2/15/2014" Weird.this girl thinks her mother turned into a fox(not)and she's queen of the fox's.you can;t get wirder than that "
— Avery, 2/14/2014" Really good for Jaylen to listen to. I will give it to her. The girls still acted like girls in this YA book, not like mini 20 year olds. Joan(Newt) had to deal with seeing her parents as real people not just "parent units". "
— Momruns5, 2/14/2014" Two "loose nuts" become the best of friends, take a summer writing class together, and help each other survive their heartbreaking family issues. "
— Kelli, 2/14/2014" I loved this book extremely; as a writer (there are writing-related themes), I found it rather masterful. Of course, anyone could read it and find it enjoyable- the adventures of Newt and Fox through childhood strife and hidden meanings are a wonder. "
— Natalia, 1/21/2014" No, this book is not about what you'd think from the title (not that I'd know whatever it is you'd think). It's actually about two girls who take a special creative writing class at their local university and how it affects their lives. An interesting book that I liked almost as much as the other book I read by this same author, Adventures in Time and Space with Max Merriwell . "
— Josh, 1/18/2014" I ended up with two copies of this book without having read it and was wondering what I was thinking. Luckily, I really liked it! "
— Lee, 1/18/2014" A nice YA novel for preteen girls. Deals with divorce, the healing power of writing, and the role a good teacher can play in a child's life. "
— Sarah, 12/31/2013" Oh, it's fine. The story is nice enough, and it's an enjoyable read. There is absolutely zero reason to set it in the early 70s though. That's kind of a pet peeve of mine. If you're going to make a book historical, you need a better reason than "that's when I was growing up". Still, it's pleasant. "
— Betsy, 12/24/2013" This was the best book and most inspirational book i have ever read. "
— Annie, 12/20/2013" reminds me of me and my freinds "
— Mallie, 11/12/2013" This was a fun quick read. Fox and Newt are good inspiration for girls of all ages. "
— Lyn, 11/12/2013" This book wasn't exactly my reading level, but I borrowed it from a friend who said it was good anyways. The character psychology was really fascinating; the way these two young girls put themselves into their writing. There were also a lot of good writing tips. "
— Kenaia, 9/19/2013" This is Julia's story. It's my wild girl writer. A great book on writing for writing. Really liked it a lot.. "
— Kim, 7/19/2013" It was...amazing! If I had to say what it was about I would have to say writing, but it wasn't. It was about so much more and I HIGHLY recommend it. Thank you, Olcott-Beeches! "
— Claudia, 2/6/2013" This book was really interesting to read, and I learned alot about writing in the process. Its about finding out who you are on the inside, finding your - Wild girl. "
— Briellehardy13, 2/2/2013" Nice, quick read on the importance of friends, writing, and questioning everything. I particularly liked the Circus of Chaos. "
— Pammie, 10/1/2012" a really inspiring book "
— Brittney, 6/29/2012" i h8ed it it swiched around to much, but thsats just me "
— Jaelyn, 5/27/2012" This book was like the life of the main character. I didn't understand what the book was supposed to be about. This book was boring. "
— Marina, 5/18/2012" good friendship book "
— Salgal, 5/18/2012" Cute for a 10/11 year old girl - not one of my favorite "kid book" reads. "
— Jodi, 4/15/2012" It was an ok book... "
— Corinne, 2/11/2012" This book was magical although it wasn't written about magic. It was inspiring. The way the author describes locations, feelings, details, etc. makes you feel like your there doing what the characters are doing. This book makes you want to be Fox or Newt. "
— Clare, 1/9/2012" Loved it. I learned a lot about myself and relationships with others. "
— Kathryn, 8/7/2011" I ADORE this book SO much! "
— Maren, 7/25/2011" Very unique book. Has it's own little twist on life. "
— Chapdelainej3, 4/24/2011" It was a great story. It made me think of me and my friend "
— Sascara, 3/18/2011" I love this book! I think it made me understand how to write better stories, and it's so realistic yet fictional at the same time. :) "
— Linsey, 3/2/2011" Young Adult book; great book to encourage writing and explore a world larger than your own. "
— Maryann, 3/1/2011" I though it was okay but, the point that it was about girls writing about a book, with having to go to writing classes and basically after that they started to fight and they never finised the book <br/>that's why it's only okay not great. "
— Mekata, 2/17/2011" One of those books you borrow from your twelve year old daughter on Christmas break when you need to wind down, it takes you back to childhood even if yours was dissimilar. The characters are likable and the knowledge of the writing process is revealed with each chapter. "
— Meredith, 12/26/2010" Loved it. I learned a lot about myself and relationships with others. "
— Kathryn, 12/17/2010" I really relate to this book. My parents love to argue. I love to write. I love being myself. "
— Kaitlen, 11/20/2010" I love this book. The imagination of these girls is great, I'd ove to have their writing class teacher! :) "
— Aubreya, 11/16/2010Pat Murphy has won numerous awards for her science fiction and fantasy writing, including the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the World Fantasy Award. When not writing science fiction, she writes for the Exploratorium, San Francisco’s museum of science, art, and human perception. She lives in San Francisco.
Coleen Marlo is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator who has been nominated for an Audie Award twice, winning in 2011. She has been awarded three Listen-Up Awards from Publishers Weekly, an AudioFile Audiobook of the Year Award in 2011, and was named Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2010 by Publishers Weekly. She is a member of the prestigious Actors Studio and taught acting for ten years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Marlo is a proud founding member of Deyan Institute of Voice Artistry and Technology.