Wayward Creatures
VERDICT: Recommended
(with caution)
Concern Level: Medium-Low
Christian Parent Review
Concern LevelMedium-Low
Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content
The main event of the book comes when Gabe, the main character, accidentally sets a fire when he lights fireworks that he has stolen from a convenience store. While this is shown as wrong, it is still important to know it is there. Initially Gabe blames others, but eventually decides to ‘be the bad guy’ (“you hate me, I’ll hate you). During the course of the story Gabe is disrespectful to his parents, who are shown as frequently bickering. The coyote Rill, the other main character, is rebellious and leaves her family and consequently gets caught in the forest fire. At one point Gabe provides a very modern, worldly prayer, “Please work, I beg God or the universe or whatever is listening.” Language includes “stink butt”, “fart brain”
VerdictRecommended
Our Thoughts
The good of this story is that it presents the consequences of a thoughtless action and the ways in which Gabe works to restore what his actions destroyed. Though it is certainly not a Christian title, there are a few good principles about handling anger, blame, consequences, the importance of family, responsibility and friendship. Many middle grade children will enjoy this one and hopefully learn a few solid lessons… especially around the consequences of our mistakes.
Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.Use with caution
In this animal friendship story, a troubled young boy befriends a wayward coyote after a forest fire changes both of their lives. Twelve-year-old Gabe doesn’t know where he belongs anymore. His family is caught up in their own lives and his friends barely have time for him now that they’re stars on the soccer team. In a desperate plea for attention to impress his friends after school, Gabe sets off fireworks in the woods near his house and causes a small forest fire that destroys several acres of land. In the chaos of the destruction, a coyote named Rill—tired of her family and longing for adventure—finds herself far from home. Already on animal control’s watch for wandering into a backyard and snapping at a child, Rill crawls into a cave, where she nurses her wounds alone. Gabe and Rill’s paths irrevocably cross when Gabe is tasked with cleaning up the forest through the court's restorative justice program. The damage to the land and both their lives is beyond what the two can imagine. But together, they discover that sometimes it only takes one friend to find the place where you belong.
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Scripture Reflection
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
— Galatians 5:16-18
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