Award-winning author Brogen Murphy tells a new story of bravery, friendship and hope in a near-future, rewilded Britain.Finn lives in the Buffer Zone on the edge of the Wildlands, surrounded by a vast, rewilded landscape filled with boar, bison and beavers. But his quiet life is up-ended when his father takes in an orphaned bear cub – a secret that could cost them everything.After being rescued from the Wildlands, Astrid is doing everything she can to expose the poaching operation that threatens this protected sanctuary – but no one is listening.When Finn’s bear grows too big to hide, and Astrid’s Mum hatches a daring plan to get proof of the poachers, both children set off on parallel journeys – over land, sea and sky.But winter is closing in, and a terrible storm is brewing . . .Stranded in the heart of the Wildlands – with secrets between them and danger far closer than they realise – can they learn to trust each other to save what they both love most?This series is perfect for 8-12 year olds and fans of The Explorer and The Last Wild. Wildlands was the winner of the Children's Wainwright Prize for Fiction 2025.
