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Eleven-year-old Zoë is shuffled from relative to relative after her mother dies, transforming from a wild, independent girl determined survive without her family, to a spunky child who loves the imperfect family that she has.

Reviews

 “Strongly drawn characters—Zoé, Henry and the people in their small town—come alive on the pages of this debut novel.”
     —Kirkus Reviews

“In her debut novel, Carmichael gives a familiar plot fresh new life in this touching story with a finely crafted sense of place. Zoë’s first-person narration alternates with the observations of a feral tomcat who provides hints to the past, and an array of welldrawn eccentric characters add additional sparkle to the magic-touched story. Zoë’s fierce, funny voice is compelling, whether she is describing tense standoffs or moments of rare vulnerability that go straight to the heart. Carmichael uses a sure, light touch to portray the gradual blooming of trust among the story’s many wild things in this satisfying tale.”
     —Booklist

“It's hard to resist the voice of 11-year-old narrator Zoë, who stars in Carmichael's (Bear at the Beach) swiftly-paced first novel, alongside a supporting cast of eccentric characters nearly as wild as she. ... This cluster of quirky, winning characters will feel like a throng of old friends by story's end.”
     —Shelf Awareness (e-mail newsletter)

about the author

Clay Carmichael, author and illustrator of three picture books, teaches fiction and poetry writing, illustrating, and bookmaking in schools. She lives in Carrboro, North Carolina, with her husband, a metal artist who inspired one of the characters in this story. Wild Things is her first novel.