Today I am spotlighting a middle grade adventure, Wildlands by Brogen Murphy, which was published on 6th March 2025 by Puffin Books, a subsidary of Penguin Random House. The story was sparked by Brogen’s university studies in zoology.

A UTOPIAN FUTURE.
A FORBIDDEN WILDERNESS.
TWO SISTERS TRYING TO SURVIVE.

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 the sisters have the ingenuity and determination to survive? How far would YOU go to find your way home?

Perfect for fans of The Explorer and The Last Wild, this gripping and heartfelt survival story by debut author Brogen Murphy takes place in an imagined rewilded future, teeming with lost flora and fauna that we can only dream about encountering today.

About the Author

Exploring a utopian vision of the future where society has taken radical steps to address humanity’s relationship with the environment, the book touches on the themes of rewilding and sustainability, sisterhood and belonging. The thrilling plot draws in readers while also raising compelling questions about humanity’s relationship with nature. Brogen’s background in climate activism and green technology gives them an authentic perspective on the issues raised in the story.

After graduating with a degree in Zoology from the University of Cambridge, Brogen Murphy set about trying to figure out how best to save the world. After a (very) brief stint in climate activism, they spent fifteen years promoting clean technologies that help build a low-carbon future. They are currently on a nomadic adventure with their wife, searching for the perfect place to live.