The Wild Unknown (Emily Gale, Text)

In The Wild Unknown by Emily Gale (Outlaw Girls), the year is 2045, and Eddie’s world is completely run by technology. From household devices to classroom support systems and the AI bot constantly whispering in his ear, tech is woven into every part of life. When local boy Theo goes missing, Eddie assumes the police bots will locate him quickly. But when no trace is found, Eddie and his best friend decide to investigate. After searching near the local river, strange things begin happening to Eddie. He can suddenly see in the dark, run faster than ever before and hold his breath underwater for impossible lengths of time. Most alarming of all, feathers begin sprouting from his skin. Thrilled and terrified in equal measure, Eddie soon realises he isn’t the only one experiencing mysterious changes. Could these transformations be connected to Theo’s disappearance? It’s wonderful to see more science fiction for middle-grade readers aged 9 to 12 being published. The Wild Unknown is a suspenseful read that presents a near-future that is easy to imagine, in which characters are caught between the need for privacy and the convenience of technology. Eddie’s gradual transformation keeps the reader on their toes, and the added element of a missing child ensures there are several directions the story could go in. However, the ending feels somewhat abrupt, and there’s a missed opportunity to deliver a more dramatic climax. Recommended for readers who enjoyed Rebecca Stead’s The Experiment.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Erin Wamala is a teacher librarian and owner of The Kids' Bookshop. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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