About This Book
A perfect read for a child who feels a little bit wild or different, this book celebrates uniqueness with wit and charm. The story follows Penelope Lumley, a plucky fifteen-year-old governess hired to civilize three children who were discovered living in the woods and raised by wolves. As she tries to teach them poetry instead of howling and geography instead of squirrel chasing, she uncovers a mystery surrounding their origins and the secrets of the grand estate. With a clever, Lemony Snicket-esque narrator and a delightful found-family at its core, this book is a heartwarming and hilarious adventure that explores themes of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be civilized. It's the first in a beloved series, ideal for a family read-aloud.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The core topic is child abandonment and neglect, but it is handled metaphorically and with a great deal of humor. The children's past is framed as a mystery to be solved rather than a trauma to be processed. The approach is entirely secular. The resolution regarding their past is ambiguous, as it sets up the rest of the series, but the immediate story arc ends on a very hopeful and triumphant note for the new family unit.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review
