Heart of the Wild: A Novel

Summary

New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry’s riveting new novel takes listeners deep into the woods where the lives of two teenage girls—one lost and one hiding—will forever change.

The summer Emma McKinney turns fifteen, hope feels fragile. Her father is missing in action in Vietnam, and her mother—seeking escape as much as stability—accepts a teaching job in a remote mountain town. Emma, sensitive and intelligent, senses her mother has other reasons for their stay in Silverveil. Before she can press for answers, Emma is sent away to a youth group retreat with only her father's worn copy of The Call of the Wild for comfort.

On the last day of the retreat, Emma strays from the trail and becomes hopelessly lost. With no clear path back to camp, she relies on instinct, animal signs, and the vast, unyielding wild for guidance. As days go by and exhaustion, hunger, and fear begin to hollow her out, Emma’s fate feels uncertain. But she is not alone. Deep in the woods, another teenage girl is keeping watch—resourceful and determined to remain unseen. As they move through the same wilderness, their stories begin to collide, forcing them to discover their strength and will to survive.

Aching and gritty, Heart of the Wild is an atmospheric journey not only of perseverance, but of self-discovery and secrets whose roots run much deeper than just the forest floor.