Wild Girls

It’s 1972. Twelve-year-old Joan is sure that she is going to be miserable when her family moves. Then she meets a most unusual girl. Sarah prefers to be called “Fox,” and lives with her author dad in a rundown house in the middle of the woods. The two girls start writing their own stories together, and when one wins first place in a student contest, they find themselves recruited for a summer writing class taught by the equally unusual Verla Volante. The Wild Girls brilliantly explores friendship, the power of story, and how coming of age means finding your own answers.

Children's Literature

This wonderful story takes place in the 1970s and centers around Joan, a twelve year old whose family has just moved to California from Connecticut. Joan is a curious and unusually sensitive child. One day while exploring the new area she has moved into, Joan comes upon an unusual girl about her own age who lives with her father, a writer of science fiction books, in a ramshackle house deep in the woods. The two girls begin writing stories together, and when one of them wins first place in a student writing contest and the two concoct a unique presentation at the writing ceremony, they meet a kindred spirit by the name of Verla Volante who recruits them for a summer writing class. The story unfolds showing clearly the sensitivity and knowledge of the creative process by the author. The story is powerfully written, showing the similarities yet differences between the girls that bind them together. They are able to see the connections between their own lives and the problems they have to handle and the creative process of observation in their writing. The story flows smoothly and keeps the reader riveted to each chapter. Well-written, unusual and absolutely perfect for children who may not quite fit in with the normal crowd. Reviewer: Joan Elste

Pat Murphy lives in San Francisco, California.