I loved the idea of these non-friends going on a quest in the woods. The cards and subsequent signs were imaginative. The truth about Sarah's house was shocking and so sad. A constant underlying message in this is that white men are manipulative, evil-doers and Native Americans are wise and honorable. The crow stuff was a bit overkill. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

This book had a slow start for me, but once it picked up it definitely drew me in. The main character trio we're definitely authentic middle schoolers in their attitudes and solutions to problems. I enjoyed the warm parts of this book and can definitely appreciate the heavy emotional parts as well.
There is a lot of racist and ableist language used, which I'm sure is authentic to what native people and people with disabilities experience, but I mention it so that any teachers or parents prepare to discuss those when reading this with kids.

Wolf Club wasn't exactly like the Breakfast Club meets Hatchet, but that description urged me to dive in right away. After serving detention for fighting, three 13 year olds with very different home situations embark on a forest adventure to save the recently sighted rare white wolf. While on this mission, these middle school teens overcome some personal challenges and learn to accept each other just as they are. As a veteran middle school teacher, I felt that each character was believable and represents many of the middle school students I serve. I even found myself tearing up at one point thinking about my readers who will enjoy this story.

When a white wolf is sighted in Grand Marais, Minnesota, Okan and his best friend Sara, are determined to find it, especially since Okan's grandmother wants him to protect it. Both have difficult lives. Okan's father abandoned his mother, and his Ojibwe grandmother helped raise him, but now she is sinking deeper and deeper into dementia. Sara's mother has died, and her father is not taking good care of her, so she has gained the nickname "Skunk" because she is not being kept clean. One of her worst tormentors is the school bully, Marcus, a rich kid with uncaring parents. When Okan and Sara skip school to go find the wolf, Marcus, who doesn't like to be called Moose, goes along with them as the "Wolf Club". Marcus and Okan used to be friends, but Marcus' parents didn't want him hanging around with a Native child. The three have quite an adventure in the woods, with a bear threatening them but only licking them, having to go swimming in the cold water, and having Marcus captured and threatened by two men who are also trying to find the wolf. Okan and Sara trick the men into carrying poison ivy, which eventually ends in them being arrested. After there is a radio announcement about missing kids, the three find the cabin of Mr. Goodman, who was a friend of Okan's grandmother, and find out the truth about the wolf. Sara and Okan also find out the truth about their own situations, but knowing the truth helps them to better their lives.
Strengths: There are a lot of middle grade books that address the fact that we should "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle", and this is certainly one. Even Marcus, the rich kid who is rather unpleasant, has things in his part that make him the way he is. The idea of a quest in the woods is always intriguing, and having disparate characters have to work together leads to an interesting story. I don't want to spoil the mystery of the white wolf, but I was not expecting the twist at the end!
Weaknesses: Poison ivy does not immediately take effect and make one itch. It takes at least four hours; my mother always had us wash with Fels Naptha soap after gardening to get the oils off our skin, and we never got a rash. For sensitive readers, it is important to know that Sara's father has died and is still in the house, which is why she has smelled bad for quite some time.
What I really think: This is mainly a realistic fiction book (as long as you can believe the bear licks the children) with an adventure that reveals secrets about the characters, like Anderson's Ms. Bixby's Last Day or Korman's The Fort. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as "The Breakfast Club meets Hatchet", but that's certainly evocative to teachers and librarians of a certain age.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this middle grade novel.

I adore James Bird's writing, and this book is no exception. It is everything I wanted it to be and more. Kids will love the aadventure, and adults will love the emotion. I'm looking forward to more by this author, and love all of the indigenous traditions and lore he weaves in.

I loved the adventure, characters, and message. Although the combination of the kids seemed a bit contrived, I did appreciate how they all came to respect and like each other for themselves rather than their circumstances.

Okan is a 13-year-old Raccoon. His mom is always busy working, and he hardly ever sees her. Marcus the moose is a rich bully who used to be friends with Okan but isn’t now. He has everything he could ever want except his family’s love. Sara the skunk feels relentlessly teased about her body odor ever since her mother died. When the three hear about a rare white wolf in the forest, they set out on an adventure together to find it. If they can save the wolf from hunters, it can help them with their issues. Can the trio work together to help the wolf? Will they find the wolf?

The plot is unique, well written, and empowering. The characters are well developed, flawed, and relatable. The world building is well done but may be hard for some readers to engage with. Readers who like anthropomorphized animals, adventure, and books with misfits will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where such books are popular. 3 stars, Gr 3 to 7.

Another great book by James Bird. Three kids go on a quest to find a wolf in the mountains. The two boys, Raccoon and Moose, used to be friends but aren’t now. Skunk is Raccoon’s neighbor, and they walk to school together. When Raccoon invites Skunk along he says if we save the wolf he will help us. She goes along and then Moose invites himself. The three slowly begin to get along and talk things out. When they hear there is a search and rescue out for them,Moose leaves and says find the wolf. Do they find the wolf? Will the three now be friends?
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Three kids went on a quest to find a wolf and end up learning more about each other. They learn that you can make it through anything and even when it looks like someone has it all together or has it all; that may not be the case. I also like the Anishinaabe words along with some animal facts.

Three kids, who don't get along, take off an adventure to save a rare white wolf from hunters. Along the way, they discover that each is more than the struggles they are going through in their lives. They learn how to get along and even become friends and help each other face the hard things in their lives. I really enjoyed the Native American folklore and beliefs that were woven throughout this story. This is a great YA book aimed for upper middle ages. I wouldn't recommend for elementary ages due to some inappropriate language and slang, but definitely would put this in my middle school library. I would definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

The first chapter mentions kissing and "boner" - and therefore, I DNF'd it. I'm sure it has a great message but I will not be presenting this to my children or my students, as I feel this is completely unnecessary for a children's / young reader's book.

I loved everything about this YA novel - I loved the native folklore, the real life struggles of each teen, the way they come together on a journey and end up friends. Loved it. Highly recommend.

A really touching and empowering MG novel about three middle school students who enter the Minnesota woods on a quest to find and protect a recently spotted white wolf with horns. Over the course of their two day adventure the kids learn important truths about themselves and their intertwined histories, ultimately finding healing from trauma.