The Last Wild

In a world where animals are slowly fading into extinction, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes feels as if he hardly exists either. Locked away in a home for troubled children and unable to speak a word, Kester’s life changes forever when a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach help him escape. He discovers an astonishing gift: he can speak—to them.

What follows is a thrilling adventure that Eoin Colfer, New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, calls “a hugely inventive adventure.” When ninety-nine pigeons smash through windows and carry Kester North to the last of the animals, it’s a moment as magical as anything you’ve read before. With the aid of a stubborn, curious girl named Polly, Kester must use his extraordinary ability to help the animals survive in a dying world.

Piers Torday’s remarkable debut combines heart-pounding action with genuine emotion, creating a story that’s alternately somber, thrilling, and delightfully silly. The animals saved Kester—but can he save them? This modern classic explores friendship, courage, and our connection to the natural world in ways that will resonate with young readers who loved The Wild Robot or Pax.

Perfect for middle-grade readers who crave adventure with depth, The Last Wild has earned praise from The Times (UK), Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly for its offbeat charm and tender yet peculiar view of the animal kingdom. An unforgettable journey awaits between these pages.

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