The Wild Ones

At a glance

A collection of pets live at a pet care centre, looked after by Pam. After the night of the Big Growl, everything changes and the world outside becomes changed forever. Pam leaves the animals with instructions not to go outside, but have lots of food, water and are safe. A dog, Scamp, assumes care for the animals. All goes ok until ‘The Things’ arrive, looking for food. The animals must escape in the hope of finding their carer. Outside is an alien place – buildings are flattened and everything is grey and unrecognisable. Their hunt for safety has one of them taken hostage by another dog and cat who trick them into collecting food for them. A meeting with a rat who cunningly diverts them to a dead end where they are attacked by other rats. They then launch a quest for a ‘green paradise’ spied from the top of a building, only to find that it’s an all weather pitch made from plastic grass. And all the time, The Things are still coming. The meeting of a police horse called Luna, who alerts the ‘Shadow Hound’ to their dilemma, brings the book to a conclusion as they are led to an animal sanctuary to await a more positive future.

Apart from the mention of Pam, there are no people in this book. The animals talk to each other and are very much their characters – the mention of being told “who’s a clever boy then?” is answered by the two dogs, Scamp and Patticake. It’s a very good thriller for children and will undoubtedly appeal to them. Written really well with lots of drama, humour, decisions and a great adventure.

Published by Scholastic, 2026