This is a super quick read filled with an emotional story that hits you right in the heart!

The story starts with Charlie and his friends playing games in the forest behind their house, they come here everyday and Charlies knows every part of it like the back of his hand. But he soon leaves as not only is it Charlie's birthday tomorrow, his baby brother expected any day now .

To Charlie's surprise when he wakes up the next day, he finds out his baby brother was born last night and when he goes with his dad to see his mum and new brother Dara, he quickly realises something is not right. Dara was born with something wrong with his heart, and this news completely overwhelms Charlie and he escapes from the hospital back to the forest. When his friends find him and tell him about his brother operation and his dad looking for him, his emotions overtake him again and he runs further into the woods.

When he makes it to the river, he finds a boy his age, injured and alone, but after shouting for help he soon realises that though he recognises all the nature around him,, he can no longer see any houses or modern structures of any kind. He somehow ended up in the Stone Age!

After helping the boy, Harby, he realises that though there are thousands of years apart, they have the same goal: "keep safe". The boys learn to trust each other and in turn grow and realise what really matters in the end.

I loved this story, the adventure was non-stop for most of it, dotted with perfectly placed slowed and quiet moments between the two boys. Though I can't say much for how well Harby was represented as a stone age boy since I don't know any (queue laughter), he still felt thoroughly real in the world Sophie built through his simple speech and more so in his actions. Charlie was a great kid to follow, full of heart but not sure how to express his worries, he is so brave in the end and I think a lot of kids will be able to relate to his growth in this story.

I can't find any mention of who illustrated the book cover after a quick google , but I do want to give a little praise to whoever it is because its gorgeous (I will edit this if I do find a name).

This was Sophie Kirtley's debut novel, so if she started out this great already I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Childrens Books and Netgalley for an early eArc of the book!

This was a brilliant story, full of adventure and some stunning descriptions that allowed the world the story was set in come to life.

The sense of adventure is brilliant for all readers young and old. Perfect for young readers and parents who read to their children.

Great choice for kids book of the month at Waterstones this month, really enjoyed this one! Lovely touch for Sophie to leave the protagonist's gender unspecified. I found myself naturally presuming that Charlie was a boy, but it's exciting to think that young readers, particularly young girls, might assume Charlie is a girl, and see themselves in the story. Fun adventure story!

WOW! This book was incredible. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions and the world leapt off the page. I definitely will be recommending this book to everyone!

I can see that people will draw obvious comparisons with Skellig and Stig of the Dump when it comes to this book. I can also see a lot of merit in it, it just wasn’t really for me. I’ll definitely sell it in the shop and I’m sure it will do well,

After finally reaching this book in my ‘to read’ pile, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed that I hadn’t read it sooner!

When Charlie’s new born brother arrives his life is changed within minutes. After finding himself in The Stone Age, Charlie experiences what it is to be a strong person who looks out for others.

The story had a small range of characters which gave me chance to get to know them better and really follow the emotional journey. I loved the central message that was woven throughout the story and felt every moment towards the end of Charlie’s adventure.

A definite recommended read going in to my classroom!

This had a great mix of adventure, family, friendship and also a great focus on fear and anxiety. I loved the writing style, and the mix of past and present. A really enjoyable read, and I will be picking up a copy to read in paperback too.

The Wild Way Home is award-winning poet and writer Sophie Kirtley’s middle-grade (MG) debut and really took me back to the sheer wonderment I felt when I first discovered the power of books all those many decades ago; I had no idea quite how magical an adventure this was going to be but I was soon completely captivated. It is undoubtedly one of the best MG stories I have had the pleasure of dipping into. It's a simple, well-told tale following young protagonist Charlie as he flees into a local wooded area to deal with his fear, grief and anxiety when his baby brother is born with serious health problems that knock Charlie's frame of mind from happy go lucky to worrisome. Discovering what is seemingly a Stone-Age boy of a similar age to himself dressed in deerskins floating face down in a stream, his focus shifts to helping out the injured visitor with more than a few hiccups in the process. Slipping effortlessly between present day and Stone Age epochs we are treated to a stunning and gripping novel brimming with heart, hope and acceptance and highlighting the importance of friendship, family, love and open-mindedness.

This is an unforgettable journey with an original yet straightforward story, an engaging and realistic cast of characters, and many thought-provoking and inspirational messages subtly placed throughout the narrative perfect for young minds to ponder. Taking place predominantly in the natural world it draws attention to the environment and how we are forever searching to be led home sweet home. We are taken back in time to a richly-imagined and hugely detailed surroundings that evoke times past. With both protagonists sharing much in common: they both are very raw emotionally and have lost their family and with that the sense of belonging that such a supportive unit provides. Introducing younger minds to emotions they may have only felt fleetingly before is important in highlighting how one can deal with said emotions when they arise in real life. Despite the book addressing lots of topical issues, they are never a replacement for the fun, action-packed and pacy tale which unfurls at the forefront. A beautiful, high quality and atmospheric read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC.

Rating 4.5/5*

What an enthralling middle grade reader this proved to be - I think children will love it and so will their teachers! This is a superb story that I would definitely have used with pupils in my class so highly recommend to primary teachers to check out, especially if they are doing any work relating to the stone age or anything concerning family and courage.

Charlie has always wanted a sibling and was eagerly anticipating their arrival. His brother is born near midnight on the day before Charlie's twelfth birthday but the excitement is tinged with dread as his baby brother is born with a heart defect that needs immediate surgery. That news has Charlie literally running off to the nearby forest where he usually plays with his friends. This time, however, he finds a boy, lying in the river and discovers that he may be on familiar ground but he's no longer in his own time! Thus starts a moving adventure set in the stone age in which he discovers the meaning of family and how important it is to 'make safe'.

This story has great descriptions, fantastic characters and plenty of adventures, too. It is an enthralling and somewhat emotional read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

This was a great book to get me out of a reading slump. Was such a fast read which took on some hard topics. The story flowed nicely and the writing style was spot on. Definitely recommend.

Oh. My.
This had absolutely everything I wanted from a middle grade title- lovable characters, driven plot and constant excitement. I can’t wait to read Sophie’s next book!

When Charlie's baby brother Dara is born with a heart condition, his reaction isn't quite what he expected. He surprises even himself by running off into the forest, too scared to hold his brother for the first time. As Charlie tries to hide from his own problems, another one arises, in the form of a boy floating in the stream before him - alive, but injured. Desperately searching for help, Charlie soon realises that the forest isn't the same as when he entered. The odd boy wearing animal skins in front of him speaks in a strange broken English and carries an unusual spear, and the familiar landmarks of the forest have been erased by their prehistoric past. Charlie is in the Stone Age, and it looks like he's staying.

And so begins an adventure of friendship, as Charlie and his new Stone Age friend search for the boy's own lost family, encountering wolves, lynxes and mysterious figures along the way. Charlie is plunged into a world so unfamiliar yet reassuringly similar in many ways.

The Wild Way Home has many echoes of Skellig, Stig of the Dump and Wolf Brother to its setting and storyline, yet it manages to weave the ideas from each classic read and intertwine them beautifully to create a new heartfelt story. Charlie's relationship with his new ally, Harby, is one which genuinely brought a smile to my face, as they gradually begin to understand one another and decipher each other's complicated lives. As Harby grows stronger, so does Charlie and I felt that the two boys' stories were interlinked throughout, serving as a constant reminder of the reality Charlie is desperate to return to.

Sophie Kirtley adds in some brilliant cliff hanger drops to her chapter endings, constantly enticing you to turn the page and the endearing friendship between the two boys is displayed so realistically thanks to the "Stone Age talk" that they are both echoing to one another in an effort to understand.

This would make a brilliant read from Year 4 upwards and obviously fits in well around a Stone Age topic. However, The Wild Way Home also deals very sensitively with family issues and friendships which makes it the perfect all-round read too.

A heartwarming story of family, friendship and facing the unknown.

I'd heard so many wonderful things about 'The Wild Way Home' that I couldn't wait to read it. I certainly wasn't disappointed. Sophie Kirtley brings the ancient past alive in such a warm, accessible way, with lush description and wonderful 'Stone Age' speech that makes you want to say the words out loud: 'Cholliemurrum'....'Shudda. Missda. Passca'. Harby is one of the most memorable characters I've come across in a long time and I really enjoyed the interplay between him and Charlie. The present day sections of the story are sensitively told too, making this a fabulous five star read from start to finish.

Charlie is lost. This isn't the familiar Mendel forest that Charlie knows so well. Then Charlie finds an injured boy and realises this is actually a different time, rather than place. Maybe by helping new friend Harby, they can both go home.
I loved Charlie and Harby and their motto - Make Safe. Together they learn that even though sometimes you really want to run away from all your problems, you have to face them as they won't just go away.
Lots of mystery and such a touching story.

An action-packed and thoughtful middle grade book that would be perfect for reading out loud to a class (or to kids at bedtime, although the cliffhangers might make sleep afterwards very difficult!).
I love the main character Charlie - she is bright and brave, but realistic for her age. She makes mistakes, she isn't perfect, she behaves selfishly sometimes (with very heartbreaking justification, to be fair), and she doesn't always have the answers. Her courage and kindness ultimately guide her through.
The plot is rapidly paced, which works really well for driving the story forwards - it also makes it very hard to put down! For all the action and adventure, the story is bookended by very moving and real portrayals of family life and pain. It is primarily an adventure story, but one that never loses its emotional connection.

The Wild Way Home takes you on an exciting journey into the Stone Age, with horrors and joys aplenty to be discovered. It's the kind of adventure story I would have loved as a child, and the kind that I would want to place in the hands of my own children. There's plenty of great messaging in the book, with the main being that running away from difficult issues doesn't make them go away.

I loved that Charlie is never assigned a gender or specifically described, so can embody whoever the young reader wants/needs them to be. I had a quick browse of the reviews and found it really interesting that almost everyone had assigned Charlie 'he' pronouns.

The growing friendship between Charlie and Harby was really sweet, and the way they learnt to communicate with each other despite the various barriers is a great message. The challenges they overcome and the laugher they shared was just lovely to read.

A really sweet little book, highly recommend checking out.

I had heard wonderful things about this from, but didn't actually have a clue who or what it was about. I only knew I wanted to read it!

As it turned out, it was not what I was expecting in the slightest (not that I could really tell you what I was expecting)! BUT that's no bad thing at all - I absolutely devoured this and loved the way it blended contemporary family drama with history and fantasy.

There's echoes of both Skellig and Stig of the Dump, as well as occasional whispers of other classic children's stories; at the same time though, this feels utterly fresh and original.

Charlie has longed for a sibling for years, but now that the moment is here it's not going quite as imagined.

I thought the way we saw Charlie's feelings become overwhelming was so powerful and real, and I thought it was really important to see an older child struggling with that complicated mix of emotions a new sibling brings.

Charlie seeks refuge in his favourite place, Mandel Forest, but all is not what it seems and he has somehow stumbled into the Stone Age where he meets Harby, who needs his help.

This is both an exciting, wild adventure and a heart-warming tale of friendship and personal growth.

I loved the way Charlie and Harby's relationship and communication developed, and how this helped Charlie come to terms with his emotions and events in his 'real life'.

They go from a tense and mistrustful meeting to warily opening up and - in some roundabout and hilarious moments - starting to talk, learn more about each other and becoming friends who help each other, both practically and in working through their feelings and actions.

The forest itself is depicted brilliantly, as are the changes it has seen over time. As with many of the books I've loved in recent years, there is a clear sense of wonder and respect for nature which makes for a really immersive and gripping read (the cave scene especially!)

Sophie Kirtley manages to strike the perfect balance between the heart-stopping, perilous wild, humour and raw emotion. I had my heart in my mouth, tears in my eyes and laughter in my belly and I can't wait to see what she does next.

This was a really cute story with a nice theme of friendship and family running through it. I highly recommend it for kids of all ages.

Fully enjoyed it!! It was totally amazing and I wish that I could read it for the first time all over again just so I could re-capture that feeling.

A journey of self discovery for Charlie and a look into the lives of people who lived in his local area thousands of years in the past.. Charlie is overwhelmed with fear when he finds his newborn brother has a heart defect and requires surgery. He goes from intense excitement to fear and and is unable to manage these feelings. He runs away and mysteriously travels back in time and connects with Harby, a Stone Age child who has lost his baby sister.
There are similarities between the two boys and Charlie begins to see how Harby’s and his own feelings are related, and in his search for the baby girl, he comes to terms with own feelings: his fear, love and guilt. He wishes to be home and to care for his brother, knowing that family is of fundamental importance to him.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review