Wolfstongue

2023 USBBY Outstanding International Books

"As in George Orwell's "Animal Farm," the dynamics of oppression and resistance that play out between animals mirror those between humans." The New York Times

"The best animal adventure since Watership Down" -- The Times (The Times Children's Book of the Week, July 3rd 2021

"Gripping and profound" -- New Statesman

"A hugely original tale" -- The Irish Times

"A thrilling adventure" -- Meg Rosoff, author of How I Live Now



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. Inspired by his own experience of having a son with speech difficulties, Wolfstongue is Sam Thompson's first novel for children.



Silas is a young boy who 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?



A The Times children's book of the week in 2021