Jamie lives on an island in the Outer Hebrides. He loves its wild beauty and the remoteness too, though he’s aware of just how much they are at the mercy of wind, waves and weather. The island is also home to Mara, a wild spirit not much older than Jamie but, it seems, completely fearless. Her ambition is to sail her boat out to St Kilda, an island that really is at the edge of the world, and when she finally sets out, pretty well accidentally, Jamie goes too. It’s a wonderful adventure story and brilliantly told, as much about the friendship between the two children and their efforts to find a place in the world as it is about their extraordinary trip.
Readers who enjoy this story of courage, resilience and survival will also like Wild Song by Janis Mackay.
A beautifully written tale of courage, friendship, and survival. Jamie had thought that if he could just reach the boat then he could convince Mara to stay, but now he was on board and along for the ride. There was no going back, they were in this together - sailing to the islands at the edge of the world.
‘A story as clear and powerful as an Atlantic wave.’ – Nicola Davies
‘It’s such a lovely story of facing our fears and daring to be different.’ – Emma Carroll
‘Absolutely swept away by Julia Green’s new book… a wonderful read.’ – Gill Lewis
Praise for The Wilderness War:
'jam-packed with wildlife and action' Alex Hall, age 10, lovereading4kids.co.uk
'A feel-good tale about standing up for what you believe in and celebrating the outdoors.' The Bookseller
Author
About Julia Green
Julia Green is an author of over twenty novels and stories for children and young adults. She has worked as a publicity assistant for a publisher, a library assistant, an English teacher, and is currently Emeritus Professor of Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University.
Julia’s books for children include To the Edge of the World, Tilly’s Moonlight Fox, Seal Island and The Wilderness War, which was shortlisted for the Coventry Inspiration Book Award and the Warwickshire SLS Award.
Watch a video of Julia talking about Drawing with Light: