About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like their differences are a burden or when they are struggling to find where they fit in. It is a powerful choice for children who might feel 'different' due to physical appearance or social standing, offering a narrative where a perceived weakness is transformed into a sharp, intellectual strength. Set in Victorian London, the story follows Wild Boy, a child covered in hair who has spent his life as a sideshow freak. After being framed for a murder, he must use his extraordinary powers of observation to clear his name. While the setting is gritty and atmospheric, the core of the book is about resilience, the reclamation of identity, and the value of a single, loyal friendship. It is an excellent mystery for middle-schoolers that balances high-stakes adventure with deep emotional truths about how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.
