
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of a major mistake or the anxiety of a secret gone wrong. Leon Garfield's witty, 19th-century comedy of errors follows two schoolboys whose 'scientific' experiment involving a baby and a supposed wolf goes hilariously and terrifyingly awry. It is a masterful exploration of the panic that follows poor decision-making and the frantic ingenuity required to fix a mess of one's own making. While the premise of an abandoned baby sounds dark, the tone is decidedly Dickensian and satirical. It serves as a perfect bridge for 10 to 14-year-olds who are ready for sophisticated vocabulary and complex, intertwining subplots. Parents will appreciate how the story uses humor to navigate themes of guilt, peer pressure, and the chaotic nature of unintended consequences in a historical setting.
Atmospheric descriptions of 19th-century settings can be slightly gothic.
The core conceit involves infant endangerment, though it is handled through a highly stylized, satirical lens rather than a realistic one. The approach is secular and comedic. While the boys' actions are objectively negligent, the narrative ensures the baby is safe, focusing instead on the social and emotional fallout for the protagonists. The resolution is satisfying and restores order.
A precocious middle-schooler with a sharp sense of humor who enjoys historical settings and 'comedy of errors' style plots. It is especially resonant for a child who feels overwhelmed by a secret or a mistake and needs a safe, funny way to process those feelings.
Read cold. However, parents should be aware of the 1970s publication date and 19th-century setting, which includes period-typical attitudes toward discipline and social class. A parent might notice their child becoming unusually secretive or exhibiting high levels of anxiety over a peer-pressured decision. This book provides a way to discuss why we make bad choices in the heat of the moment.
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the slapstick 'will they get caught' tension. Older readers (13-14) will better appreciate the sophisticated irony, the biting satire of the adult characters, and the complex vocabulary.
Garfield’s prose is uniquely theatrical and dense with wit. Unlike many modern middle-grade novels that simplify consequences, this book leans into the sheer, sweating panic of being a kid who has done something incredibly stupid.
Set in early 19th-century England, two schoolboys, Harris and Bostock, decide to test the Roman myth of Romulus and Remus by leaving Harris's infant sister, Adelaide, in a field to see if a wolf will adopt her. Their plan is immediately thwarted when well-meaning passersby 'rescue' the baby, leading to a series of mistaken identities, frantic searches, and a web of lies that entangles the entire village, including a stern schoolmaster and a lovestruck daughter.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review