Eleven-year-old Fern lives a challenging life with her stepfather and younger brothers. Money always seems to be tight, so Fern often visits the nearby woods for food and refuge. When a fracking company moves into town, Fern’s forest could soon be in peril, but a new business holds the promise of new jobs and opportunities. Will Fern be able to save her forest before it’s too late? Best suited to children who are more mature readers, The End of the Wild is a sensitive and thoughtful novel, tackling themes of poverty, friendship, resilience and the environment.

I was looking for a unique food book and I sure found one. Fern knows the edible foods in the woods behind her house and forages to help feed her struggling family. A fracking company threatens to clear out the woods and the food source that Fern and her family rely on. But it also offers stable jobs. Tough choices.... This multi-layered book addresses poverty, education, natural resources, environmental protection, and conflicts between family, friends, and community. As a bonus, End of the Wild includes recipes from the forest that once belonged to Fern's mother.

Starred reviews by Kirkus and PW. A solid good read.