‘Wildlands’ by Brogen Murphy
Big Book Award 2026 shortlisted title:
Twenty-five years into the future, no humans are allowed in the Wildlands – a vast area in Britain where wolves, lynx and bison roam free. The only exception is a high-speed train line between London and Glasgow that crosses right through the heart of the project.
Thirteen-year-old Astrid and her little sister, Indie, are onboard when their train slows to a brief, unexpected stop… and they find themselves accidentally left behind.
Stranded in this place of astonishing natural wonders and terrible dangers, they have only a rucksack, a phone without signal – and each other. As every wrong turn takes them deeper into the Wildlands, do they have the ingenuity and determination to survive?
Published by Puffin Books
The Big Book Award Longlist Reading Panel of children from Prestfelde School said…
“The book felt like it could really happen in real life. I loved it.”
“I couldn’t put this book down. I just wanted to keep reading.”
“This was an amazing story of adventure, relationships and never giving up.“
“I’m delighted that Wildlands has been shortlisted for Shropshire Bookfest’s Big Book Award 2026. The really great thing about this award is that it’s chosen by young readers themselves. It’s also a brilliant initiative for getting more pupils reading, talking about and falling in love with new books.” – Brogen Murphy
About the author
Brogen Murphy
After graduating with a degree in Zoology from the University of Cambridge, Brogen set about trying to figure out how best to save the world. They tried ecology field work, carbon offsetting and a brief stint in climate activism, before spending 15 years promoting clean technologies to help build a low-carbon future.
Brogen lives with their wife by the sea in Suffolk, and when not writing they can be found in the forest looking (down) for mushrooms or (up) for birds – and therefore often tripping over.
Wildlands is their first novel.
Pupils taking part in Book Award 2026 are invited to post their comments and reviews below. (All comments will be moderated by Bookfest before they’re published.)
35 responses to “‘Wildlands’ by Brogen Murphy”
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Darcie said, ” I loved Wildlands because it got me intrigued when they overcame each danger as they find their way back home. I also relate to them because I am always in nature with different and fascinating animals.”
One of the best books that I have ever read. Every mm is full of excitement and adventure and the smallest rating I could give is 19\10
Loads of people like Wildlands but in my opinion, I think it’s severely overrated as I don’t really like the timing of different events 4/10 😒😒
I quite liked the Wildlands because I thought it was very adventurous and extremely daring! Overall, I give it an 8/10.
I loved this book. It is a very gripping story. I would give it a 10/10
I love love love this book 11/10 ; )
It was so exciting and surprising : 0
Wildlands is the best book and I would totally recomend it to people who enjoy adventure, mystery, gross and scary books.
I really loved Wildlands! Probably my third or second favourite out of the 6
One of the best books I’ve ever read. I don’t like many books but this one I really enjoyed. Very interesting and adventurous, action packed and exhilarating. Would definitely recommend if you like action or adventurous stuff.
nice
I just needed to send a follow up. I can’t wait to see a new release if you are planning to write a wildlands 2. I would deffo rate it a 10/10. Congratulations.
Btw I want to be a vet when I grow up.😘😊👍😍
This book is not good. I stopped reading it on the 3rd chapter, it felt like a chore to read it. 3/10 1 and a half stars
I enjoyed because of how it was full of adventure, I like it how Astrid became less annoyed when Indie told her a Wildlands fact but I wish there wasn’t the poachers bit. I nearly cried about the baby wolves being captured.
It was a great book and kept me entertained the whole time. I would definitely recommend it to people who love an exciting, cliff hanging sort of story.
OMG this is my favourite book ever!!! WOW just WOW, this book is all about me. I❤️it and I will recommend it to EVERYONE I know.
It was really engaging and it really made me think of how resilient Astrid and Indie were. I like how it is written🙂
I like the Wildlands because it is an adventure story and it is a cool story because you don’t know what happens next. I would recommend this book to children aged 7-15 who like adventure, nature and animals. 10/10
I didn’t really enjoy Wildlands. It’s not really the thing for me. I think others would enjoy it. It’s just not really something I like. I’d give it a 3/10.
I loved this book because its very adventurous and it has secrets around every corner and I love the part were they find the house. I would recommend this to people with a love for nature.⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was living and breathing the adventure just like Astrid and Indie. My favourite adventure book I have read this year. 10/10!
This book was exactly the kind of book I love, futuristic, nature has taken back the world and a strong female protagonist.
The plot line was exciting with just the right amount of twists. It gave hope for the natural world while showing human improvement.
I 100% loved it. 10/10
I really loved this book and it was good. I recommend this to other people.
I loved this book. It was so good and it was full of adventure. I loved when Astrid and Indie find a house and accidentally blow it up.
Wildland is definitely my favourite book out of the six. I liked the adventure and I think you should make another book called the Sealands.
This book is amazing! I love the idea of animals having their own private land to thrive in. The Wildlands is filled to the brim with excitement and adventure and I highly recommend this book! 😁
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I like the part where they fall off the train and they find an old house before the Wildlands were made. But I have not finished it, I am about half way through.
I really liked Wildlands because it was about adventures in the forest and camping.
So far the book is very interesting and probably my second favourite book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
I would recommend this book for animal lovers because it’s all about why the Wildlands is only for animals and how Astrid and Indie have to escape. But they don’t know were they are. It’s a five star for me. My favourite bit is when they find a how little nest of bats.
I love this book so much and I have many reasons to love this book. First this book is so good for having the animals in their own place and no humans are allowed in. I also like that there are 2 humans in the Wildlands not one . This deserves to win Bookfest 2026.
I really enjoyed the characteristics of Wildlands and the thoughts of an eco-friendly world to come in the time ahead, I really liked the way that the author described the Wildlands in the full detail from a crack in the road to the smallest leaf. I was sad to see the end of it and hope that it inspires me to do something great.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wildlands is a thrilling and exciting adventure with danger laced throughout. Mosquito bites and Lynxes crawling on top of rocks. This is a brilliant book and definitely recommended read for all animal and thrill-lovers. It got us all hooked in when they fell off the train, such an extraordinary idea. We both liked this book so much!
Thrilling, hearty and brilliant.
Stanley and Eske.
I really enjoyed the Wildlands because of diffrent reasons. First because it is set into the future by 25 years, and it has its own place for animals and it deserves to win Bookfest 2026
The Wildlands is filled to the brim with adventure and I could not put it down! It is by far my favourite. Out of this world. It is so good in fact I could read it again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ll recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure stories. I love this book because all of the adventure and drama along with pages of excitement. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️