Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Wolf Hollow follows twelve-year-old Annabelle McBride during World War II, a time when global conflict mirrors a quieter but deeply troubling struggle in her own small town. Annabelle’s life changes when a new girl, Betty, comes to live with her grandparents nearby. Almost immediately, Betty targets Annabelle with threats and cruelty, creating an atmosphere of fear that steadily worsens. Afraid of what might happen to her family, Annabelle initially keeps the bullying to herself, but when she finally speaks up, the adults’ attempts to intervene only seem to make matters more complicated.

As tensions rise, a shocking incident at school draws the attention of the local constable and throws the entire community into suspicion. Blame quickly falls on Toby, a reclusive and misunderstood World War I veteran who lives on the outskirts of town and is already viewed with fear by many. While most people are quick to judge him, Annabelle knows a different side of Toby—one marked by quiet kindness and protection. Determined to stand up for what she believes is right, Annabelle finds herself caught between fear, loyalty, and the heavy consequences of truth and injustice in a town shaped by prejudice and loss.

Reading Level: Ages 10-13
Read Aloud: Ages 10 and up

This book was dark from beginning to end. From emotional to physical bullying, death and dying, war and suffering- there are almost no “redemptive” parts of this book. I would have a very hard time recommending his book to anyone, but especially not a middle grade aged child. You see the good in someone that the entire town is rooting against and learn to not “read a book by its cover” or be able to better understand someone rather than placing judgement. However, there are multiple deaths, one of them being a young child. This child was a bully and goes to the grave lying, so it could be an opportunity to talk of lying and deceit and the ultimate end one will face when they do not follow the Lord.

There could be some good conversations as a result of reading this book, but I think it should be done with extreme caution and wisdom to your child specifically. I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to you, but if you are to read it I would recommend reading it alongside your young reader to engage in the many hard and dark moments of this book with them.

Language:
There is use of words such as “dumb”. Hints of cursing/ the “sex talk” such as “she’d taught us a dozen words we had no business knowing, poured a well of ink on Emily’s sweater, and told the little kids where babies come from” (pg 8)

Questionable Behaviors:
This book was full of questionable behavior centered around bullying and lying such as:
– Hitting
– Stealing
– Manipulation of the truth in order to not “lie”
– Killing animals to threaten someone else
– Praying for the suffering of others with no remorse
This book also hinted at some extreme things such as killing/murder, kidnapping, severe injuries (detailed with some gore) torture, and war that would make it hard for a young reader.

Sexual Content:
Betty spends quite a lot of time with a boy at school named Andy. They go off together and spend secretive time one on one. There is flirting between them and mention of “courtship” between them (though Betty is only 14).

Other things to know:
– There is an aunt in the book that is painted as the uptight & judgmental Christian (“her feverish devotion to God frightened me”) and she is a character that is very disliked for her rudeness, selfishness, and judgmental comments.
– There are times where this book mentions church, prayer, and other spiritual things in a way that does not accurately depict the views of a true believer.

This review is written by Good Book Mom contributor, Sierra. To learn more about Sierra, click HERE.

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