'We had a name for a certain human child. This was the child who would walk side by side with the wolves and know our silence. The child would be our voice. So that we could live as wolves ought to live. Free from words. The name for that child was: Wolfstongue.'

In his stunning middle-grade debut, Booker-longlisted Sam Thompson invites us into a hidden world of talking animals, where language is power.

The Times Children’s Book of the Week, 3rd of July 2021

Selected for the Outstanding International Books by the US Board on Books for Young People List

Deep in the Forest, the foxes live in an underground city built by their wolf slaves. The foxes' leader Reynard controls everything with his clever talk.

Silas is bullied at school because his words will not come. He wishes he could live in silence as animals do.

One day Silas helps an injured wolf. Then he enters the secret world of the Forest, where the last remaining wolves fight for survival. But even there, language is power.

Can Silas find his voice in time to help his wolf friends – can he become the Wolfstongue?

‘Has all the makings of a modern classic with its exhilarating mix of ancient fable and contemporary issues. … Not since Watership Down have animal dynamics felt so true and the political undertones so live. … I predict howls of approval — and prizes.’ – The Times

‘As in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the dynamics of oppression and resistance that play out between animals mirror those between humans.’ –  The New York Times

‘Gripping and profound.’ –  The New Statesman

‘Sober, stirring fantasy.’ The Wall Street Journal

‘One of the most extraordinary children’s books I’ve ever read.’ –Anthony McGowan, author of I am the Minotaur

‘Wolfstongue is fabulous.’ – Piers Torday, author of The Wild Before

‘An unforgettable fable. Raw, devastating and brilliantly written.’ – Lucy Strange, author of The Ghost of Gosswater

‘A fiercely gentle tale, heartwarming and brave.’ – Myra Zepf, Winner KPMG/CBI Children’s Book of the Year 2020

‘An edge-of-the-seat adventure.’ – Meg Rosoff, author of The Great Godden

‘An intelligent and powerful story about words and language and what it means to have a voice. The illustrations by Anna Tromop are stunning too!’
– A. M. Howell, author of The House of One Hundred Clocks

‘An absolute delight. Warm and thoughtful, full of insight.’ – Kelly McCaughrain, author of Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year 2019

‘Wolfstongue has classic written all over it.’ – Patricia Forde, author of The Wordsmith

‘Wolfstongue is a hugely original tale with classic influences and infrastructure.’ – The Irish Times

‘A stunning book.’ – The Irish Independent

‘Thompson is a superb writer. There is a dreamlike quality to his prose.’ – Philip Womack, Literary Review

‘A children’s debut with a timeless feel.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Brilliantly compelling whilst at the same time making profound comments about the way language and expression help to define us and, when limited, can equally confine us, really powerful.’ –  Jake Hope, Youth Libraries Group

‘A startling entrance into children’s fiction.’ – The Echo

‘This heart felt and exciting adventure has plenty to interest and reflect on.’ – Readers that Care

‘This is a wonderful story that will have you on the edge of your seat.’ – Addicted to Books

‘Children – and adults! – everywhere will certainly find comfort and magic within Wolfstongue’s pages.’ –  Buzz Magazine

‘Lyrical, fierce, thoughtful, brave, emotional…a story of facing your fears and finding your voice. What a stunning book!’ –  Fallen Star Stories

‘A stunning fantasy adventure.’ – Mayo News

‘This is a wonderful book,  it is heart warming, and full of adventure.’ –  Bookbound

‘Wolfstongue is an absorbing read and perfect for fans of the natural world, intrigue and adventure.’ This Book is Brilliant!

‘A powerful story about standing up to bullies, doing what’s right and the power of language, this is a lyrical, beautiful children’s-book debut.’ – What I Read

‘Heady, lyrical and earthy.’ –  Lily and the Fae

‘Every now and again, a remarkable new children’s book comes along which is a pleasure to read, isn’t too long, and is filled with a sense of profound meaning and significance without ever feeling preachy. Wolfstongue is precisely this.’ – BookTrust

‘Now here’s a middle grade novel that intrigues me.’ –  School Library Journal

‘Thompson thoughtfully examines how words can hurt and heal, emphasising language’s powerful influence on characters’ self-perception. Silas’ speech difficulty is unnamed, enabling readers with a variety of similar conditions to see themselves reflected … Tromop’s realistic black-and-white illustrations accentuate the grim, mysterious atmosphere …Unusual and thought-provoking.’ – Kirkus

‘I can’t wait for the sequel! There was never a dull moment in this book and time flew as I read it … and the protagonist goes on a journey where he finds his strength and who he is; kids need these kinds of triumphs to read.’ –  Netgalley ***** reader review

‘An amazing book.’ –  Kid’s Book Buzz

‘The story is fascinating, the world-building well done (with a diagram of the fox city at the front of the book). The characters are believable, the story is believable!  … The black and white illustrations greatly enhance the story.’ –  Youth Services Book Review ***** review

'An impressive debut that is nicely illustrated with the black-and-white artwork of Anna Tromop, Sam Thompson's new action/adventure fantasy novel is an engrossing, thoughtful, beautifully written story about humans and animals, Wolfstongue is an inherently entertaining, original, and fully engaging read from cover to cover.' – Midwest Book Review

'The relationship between the wolves and foxes is uncommon and the role of humans in character dynamics is creative. The message regarding human culture is a valuable lesson and I recommend you give this book a shot.' –YA Books Central

Writing Tutorial 1: Setting up Conflict in a Story

Writing Tutorial 2: Where to get Ideas

Writing Tutorial 3: How to Describe a Place or Setting

Writing Tutorial 4: Deciding which Character Should Tell the Story

Writing Tutorial 5: Showing your Readers what a Character is Like

Writing Tutorial 6: Keeping a Reader's Attention

Sam Thompson is the author of two novels for children, Wolfstongue and The Fox’s Tower, and several books for grown-ups. He lives in Belfast with his wife, three children, a dog who looks like an old towel, and a cat who is best friends with the dog but won’t admit it.