The Wild Way Home

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Without knowing what to do next, Charlie runs away hoping to have time to think and find answers to all his questions. His two oldest friends Lamont and Beaky, Nero know just where to look and try to reassure him that returning home is the best thing to do. But is it? Fans of Stig of the Dump will find this a delight but I would highly recommend that all middle grade readers give it a go. It is an adventure story with a difference. The setting is memorable in it's beauty yet menacing silence. The tone feels reflective. Compared to other current middle grade adventures on the market, this feels slower and tamer in pace but makes for a deeper impact on the soul. Ooooh! I’m so excited. I’ve just started reading The Dragonfly Pool. Eva Ibbotson is one of my absolute favourite authors and I have been rationing her books … only allowing myself to read one a year, verrrrry slowly and savouringly. I’m going to love every moment! This is such a delightfully charming book. It too has a sibling relationship at its heart, as it tells the story of twins Birdie and Finch who are members of a circus family. It’s a quirky coming-of-age story, exploring young love, sexual identity and friendship with real sensitivity and a lovely lightness of touch. I especially love the setting of the circus… and the sheer Northern Irishness of it too! I can see why Kelly McCaughrain won so many awards for this book – it is just gorgeous. I would recommend the book to other people and especially people who like dramas, a bit of silliness and a lot of adventure!

This story contains all the ingredients for a fantastic adventure: wolves, storms, shadows and oodles of danger. However, the external obstacles are nothing compared to Charlie's inner struggles. Even if he survives the threats lurking amongst the trees, can he ever forgive himself for abandoning his baby brother? When Charlie's longed-for brother is born with a serious heart condition, Charlie's world is turned upside down. Upset and afraid, Charlie flees the hospital and makes for the ancient forest on the edge of town. There Charlie finds a boy floating face-down in the stream, injured, but alive. Hello there! The Wild Way Home is a story of friendship, courage and adventure, set in the Stone Age. There may be dangers… there may be mysteries… there may be secrets… I adored this book. The storyline - a boy walks into a wood in panic and ends up in the Stone Age - is hugely creative. The character I found most interesting was Harby (Hartboy) This is because he spends his time with Charlie, trying to translate the English language, and I loved the expressions he develops. I loved all characters; except, perhaps, Dara and Harby’s Mother, who weren’t that involved with the story line.

It is a heart-warming, magical book that has family, friendship and overcoming difficulties at its core. I couldn't put it down! NetGalley user To many it would seem that Charlie leads an ordinary life until his family life is changed forever with the arrival of his baby brother Dara. This was something that Charlie had always wanted but nothing is ever perfect. The plot was exciting when Charlie found out that he had to find out the cure because he did not think that he could do it. What he finds is not the peace he was hoping for but a strangely dressed boy lying face down in a shallow part of the river. Although the boy is alive, he needs medical attention. But when Charlie tries to go for help, he finds the forest has changed into something more wild and threatening.

There are some beautiful descriptions of the woods and nature throughout the story. I wondered if Mandel Forest was inspired by a place near you? Did you spend a lot of time outside whilst writing this book? And one of the things I love most about Northern Ireland is that it’s a place just steeped in stories: everybody has a story and nobody’s shy to tell you theirs. I grew up with stories in my blood – my dad is a born storyteller, turning every household happening or minor misadventure into a great yarn. My mum loves stories too, but more as a reader - she always encouraged me to read and through her I first discovered some of the books by Northern Irish children’s authors that are still amongst my favourites today. A beautiful story of things ancient and eternal. Kirtley convincingly creates and navigates the difficult landscapes of both Stone Age Ireland and contemporary family life in this big-hearted, gripping debut. Kelly McCaughrain This was an absolutely stunning MG fantasy book. The writing was beautifully powerful and descriptive, which made for a real feast for the senses. This threw books like Ug and Littlenose to the wayside completely. If I was looking for a Stone Age book to teach with, this would be high up on the list. It doesn't just show you a view of the Stone Age, it highlights the importance of family and friendship too! There’s just so much amazing creativity coming out of Ireland at the moment – North and South – it really does feel like a golden age in which to be writing. As a debut Northern Irish children’s author, I’m just fizzing with pride to find my book, The Wild Way Home, sharing shelf-space with wonderful books such as those I’ve mentioned here.I did not really learn anything about the past.It was set in a time period that I liked and it reminded me of our class novel (Wolf Brother). Kirtley tells a bold tale. For the majority of the book, the story focuses on only two characters- Charlie and Harby- and yet the narrative remains engaging through fast-paced twists and electrifying descriptions of the forest itself (the language used in the storm scene is incredible.) Although certain aspects of the story did come to feel slightly repetitive (there was a lot of running and tripping and falling) these moments were broken up by chapters filled with high tension. The climatic knife scene with the mysterious shadow man and the baby was particularly eye-watering but was in keeping with the dynamic plot. This is a good read. It is quite sad so perhaps not for very young readers. The Stone Age caves, living with nature, the wolves and the deer tooth, reminded me of the stages of the Stone Age which I have learnt about at school. The story reminded me of Stig of the Dump, I think I preferred Stig’s creativity but this is a good reminder of the Stone Age way of life and the importance of friendship across history. We are thrilled to welcome children’s author Sophie Kirtley into The Reading Realm today to talk about her brand-new Stone-Age adventure story, The Wild Way Home… Find out more about Sophie here!

Great question! Charlie and Harby both care deeply for the important people in their lives – they each sacrifice a lot for their families…and for each other. They both are curious and they both are courageous too. Another similarity is that they both appreciate a good giggle… and a good meal!! You are never quite sure where Charlie’s adventures will take him next, finding someone else who needs help in another way, helps him to think differently. It is not long before Charlie realises that he must work hard to keep them both safe from whatever they face next. Things are not always as they seem… I didn’t trust Hartboy's dad (the Knifeman) because we didn’t know he was actually Hartboys dad and because he was following them.

It intrigued me because there is a modern times boy who has mixed feelings about his new-born baby, even though he has really been looking forward to a sibling being born. His friends and his dad are understanding but he still can’t get over his feelings. I like the boy’s relationship with his dad, I don’t think I would be allowed to stay up late like that. What research into the Stone Age did you have to carry out? Is this an area of history that has always interested you? Do you have an interesting Stone Age fact you can share with our readers?