WE WERE WOLVES

by Jason Cockcroft

This dark and moving story about the bond between a son and father who suffers from PTSD is really something special. I really enjoyed this unsettling but beautiful book. Despite the simple language of its young narrator, it has unusual gravity and depth for a young adult novel. With its atmospheric illustrations, this combo of simple language and complex story make it a great pick for both less confident teen readers and mature younger readers alike.

Living in a caravan in the woods, the narrator and his father John get along as best they can. But when John goes to prison, the boy must survive on his own for a month. He’s doing fine, befriending an old dog and even meeting a girl his own age, until dark forces emerge, causing problems and threatening his father’s big plan to make a better life for themselves.

Recommended for readers 12+

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