The Wilderness of Girls BY Madeline Claire Franklin

In her unflinching YA debut, perfect for fans of "Sadie" and "The Hazel Wood," Madeline Claire Franklin crafts a gripping exploration of freedom and identity in "The Wild Girls of Happy Valley." Rhi, a troubled teen recently placed in foster care, starts anew at the Happy Valley Wildlife Preserve. Her world shifts when she stumbles upon a surreal sight: a pack of wolves guarding four feral and majestic girls.

These girls, who believe they are lost princesses from a faraway land, claim that Rhi is their long-lost fifth sister. Raised by a magical prophet they call Mother, they are convinced of their royal lineage and desperate to return to their kingdom. As Rhi earns their trust, she’s pulled into their captivating world.

When Rhi brings the girls to civilization, they are met with sensational media coverage and intense scrutiny, dubbed “The Wild Girls of Happy Valley” by the press. The girls’ quest to return to their kingdom ignites a media frenzy and captivates true crime enthusiasts, but Rhi is torn. Although she doubts the girls' fantastical claims, she’s drawn to their boldness and authenticity—qualities she feels she has lost.

As Rhi witnesses strange and inexplicable phenomena, the boundary between fantasy and reality blurs. In her search for the truth, Rhi must confront her own fears and make a choice that will alter the course of her life and the lives of the Wild Girls forever.