Going Wild (Going Wild Series #1)

by Lisa McMann

Overview

Spider-Man meets Animorphs in this thrilling middle grade series from Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Unwanteds series.

Katherine Applegate—Newbery Medal winning author of The One and Only Ivan, Wishtree, and Endling—calls this book “gripping, action-packed, and filled with humor and heart.”

Charlie Wilde knew her life would change forever when her family moved from the city of Chicago to the suburbs of Arizona…and that was before she found the bracelet. After putting it on, she notices odd things start to happen. Suddenly Charlie seems to have the speed of a cheetah and the strength of an elephant—and that’s just the beginning.

She would be thrilled about her transformation if she had any idea how to use the device or control her amazing powers. So Charlie is forced to put her trust in new friends to help her uncover the surprising truth behind the mysterious bracelet.

The Going Wild series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, and Ridley Pearson looking for a new twist on their middle grade adventures. It blends science fiction with the animal kingdom, highlighting some of the incredible feats that animals can achieve, which might seem possible only in comic books but are actually completely true.

Don't miss Going Wild #2: Predator vs. Prey and Going Wild #3: Clash of Beasts!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062337146
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/27/2016
Series:	Going Wild , #1
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.40(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lisa McMann is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for kids and teens, including the middle grade dystopian fantasy series The Unwanteds. She lives with her family in Phoenix, Arizona. You can follow Lisa on Twitter and Facebook or visit her at www.lisamcmann.com.

Editorial Reviews

06/27/2016
In this trilogy opener, 13-year-old Charlotte “Charlie” Wilde’s life turns upside down when her mother takes a job in Navarro Junction, Ariz. As the new girl at school, Charlie faces many of the typical difficulties of starting fresh—finding friends, fitting in, and making the soccer team. Things begin to look up for Charlie when she discovers a bracelet that gives her superhuman abilities. McMann (the Unwanteds series) believably channels the voice of a confused middle school girl who wavers between being cocky with her newfound powers and self-conscious (because who isn’t at 13?). With the help of some new friends—comic-book-obsessed Maria and “tech genius” Mac—Charlie tests what the bracelet can do. However, the children don’t realize that the bracelet was stolen and that the man it belongs to is determined to reclaim it. Filled with action, adventure, and a good dollop of wish fulfillment, McMann’s superhero origin story should capture the imagination of any reader who wonders what it would be like to be more than just an average kid. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for THE UNWANTEDS: “Imagination runs wild in this creative adventure.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Mull

08/01/2016
Gr 4–6—Charlie Wilde is moving to Arizona, leaving behind her best friend and all that she knows, where her physician mother and biologist father have taken new jobs. When she gets there, she struggles to fit in at her new school. As she searches for her soccer equipment, hoping that a tryout for the school's team will change her outlook on her new situation, Charlie comes across a package containing an odd metal bracelet. She realizes that the bracelet will lend her powers matching those of several animals, making her a sort of chimera. When Dr. Gray, the man behind a sinister group bent on retrieving Charlie's bracelet, discovers its whereabouts, he will stop at nothing to get it back, leaving Charlie and her new friends, Mac and Maria, with far more questions than answers. In this first installment of a new series from the creator of "The Unwanteds," readers will find themselves on a fast-paced adventure with a very likable heroine. VERDICT Fans of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull will not be disappointed.—Wayne R. Cherry Jr., St. Pius X High School, Houston

School Library Journal

2016-06-28
Life gets strange for 12-year-old Charlie Wilde after she moves to a new town and finds a bracelet that grants her animal-based powers.The cross-country relocation from Chicago to Navarro Junction, Arizona, changes everything for Charlie. Her former stay-at-home biologist dad now teaches at a community college. Her doctor mom works erratic hours as head of the town’s ER, away from home more often than not. Trying out for the soccer team, making new friends (and a potential frenemy), and helping out on a school play also weigh on Charlie. McMann shines best here when exploring Charlie’s efforts to adapt to her new life. For a majority of the first half, the novel moves slowly, which makes all the struggles of being a new girl—as when Charlie wonders if a potential friend would want to hang out—feel like monumental moments. Throughout such scenes, the author peppers in signs about Charlie’s new powers. Once Charlie realizes that her bracelet gives her, for example, the strength of an elephant and the speed of a cheetah, she swings from fearing her newfound abilities to wanting to know more. The development of her powers borders on clichéd (another burning building to test the protagonist?), but the narrative picks up steam during the final pages. A cliffhanger ending promises a much more action-packed sequel. Race and ethnicity of characters other than Charlie are signaled by names and physical characteristics; readers will likely infer that Charlie is white. A beginning full of potential. (Science fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

The first book of a gripping, can’t-put-down trilogy. Once again, Lisa McMann demonstrates her remarkable ability to create action-packed fantasies filled with humor and heart. Kids will go wild for Going Wild!” — Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan

“Going Wild has it all—drama, soccer, and superpowers, with a heroine who is super, sure, but also incredibly real and down-to-earth. As much as readers will be amazed by what Charlie can do, they’ll cheer for her because she’s the superhero next door.” — Gordon Korman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Masterminds series, Ungifted, and Slacker

“Like no other writer, Lisa McMann creates real, lovable characters and then yanks their lives inside out with nail-biting suspense, a shocker at every turn, and stakes that climb to crazy, impossible heights. I hope it’s not rude to beg for the sequel, because the line begins here.” — Peter Lerangis, New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series

“Filled with action, adventure, and a good dollop of wish fulfillment, McMann’s superhero origin story should capture the imagination of any reader who wonders what it would be like to be more than just an average kid.” — Publishers Weekly

“A fast-paced adventure with a very likable heroine. Fans of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull will not be disappointed.” — School Library Journal

“Blending action, fantasy, and sci-fi with tween angst, this is poised to be a hit with the legions of fans of the Unwanteds series.” — ALA Booklist

Praise for THE UNWANTEDS: “Imagination runs wild in this creative adventure.” — Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven series and Spirit Animals #1: Wild Born

“The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter...[The Unwanteds] is sure to be a double hit.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for THE UNWANTEDS: “Imagination runs wild in this creative adventure.

Brandon Mull

Like no other writer, Lisa McMann creates real, lovable characters and then yanks their lives inside out with nail-biting suspense, a shocker at every turn, and stakes that climb to crazy, impossible heights. I hope it’s not rude to beg for the sequel, because the line begins here.

Peter Lerangis

Going Wild has it all—drama, soccer, and superpowers, with a heroine who is super, sure, but also incredibly real and down-to-earth. As much as readers will be amazed by what Charlie can do, they’ll cheer for her because she’s the superhero next door.

Gordon Korman

The first book of a gripping, can’t-put-down trilogy. Once again, Lisa McMann demonstrates her remarkable ability to create action-packed fantasies filled with humor and heart. Kids will go wild for Going Wild!

Katherine Applegate

Blending action, fantasy, and sci-fi with tween angst, this is poised to be a hit with the legions of fans of the Unwanteds series.

ALA Booklist