Anh Do - Animal Train

I really enjoyed this book. It was intense and I couldnt wait to see what happened next. Five stars! Poldy, age 11 Wolf Girl kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I never knew what was going to happen next. Piper, age 13 Wolf Girl is an exciting and adventurous book. I loved how brave Gwen is, and with the help of her pack she is strong enough to survive anything! Cate, age 12 I loved it because it was full of adventure. The best thing was the ending, which was so exciting.

I cant wait until the next book. Olivia, age 9 Each page was more exciting than the last! Leo, age 12 First published by Allen & Unwin in 2021 Text copyright Anh Do, 2021 Illustrations by Lachlan Creagh, 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act. Allen & Unwin 83 Alexander Street Crows Nest NSW 2065 Australia Phone: (61 2) 8425 0100 Email: Web: www.allenandunwin.com ISBN 978 1 76087 905 1 eISBN 978 1 76106 338 1 Cover design by Jo Hunt and Lachlan Creagh Text design by Jo Hunt Set by Jo Hunt It felt strange to be the only human in the pack. I couldn't figure out what I missed most about having Rupert with us.

Maybe actual conversation? Arrr-f, said Pirate. I can tell you a sea story, if you like? The dogs and I had our own deep bond, of course wed travelled together for a long time before Rupert had joined us. It had been nice to chat with another human, though, and to have someone to bounce ideas off. Now that he was gone, I missed him. I was sure the feeling would pass. Anyhow, we could move a lot faster without Rupert.

We could hunt silently, spring suddenly, and knew each others thoughts without having to speak them aloud. Sometimes it felt as if we flowed through the trees like a single mind with many parts. Perhaps thats what it meant to truly be a pack. For a few days after saying goodbye to Rupert, we journeyed at night it was the safest time. Our eyes were sharp, and we were able to make out all that we needed by the light of the moon and the stars. I only built fires during the day, when the flames and smoke were less visible, and only then if there was something to cook. I only built fires during the day, when the flames and smoke were less visible, and only then if there was something to cook.

We didnt need fire for warmth we got that from being curled up together. Thankfully, winter was not as biting here as it had been along the coast. We headed inland towards Tunny, where Ruperts parents said they had seen my mum. I had no idea if she was still there, or if my father was with her, but it was my only lead. One evening, I climbed a tree to do some scouting. Outlined against the setting sun, I saw a small town not far away.

I slipped back down the trunk to where the dogs were finishing off our most recent meal. Are you going to finish that lizard tail? Tiny asked Nosey. Nosey considered this for a moment. Yes, he said. Aw. Theres a town just ahead, I said.

We should take a look. Why? said Sunrise. Two-leg places are always trouble. And we have everything we need, right here in the woods, said Brutus, in rare agreement with the wolf. I stared off in the direction of the town. Im still looking for my family, I said.

Im not going to find any clues out here in the wild. Sunrise nuzzled my hand. Are you sure theyre still out there? I frowned. I had to believe it. I am, I said. Sunrise followed my gaze.

If you want to go, she said, then we go. The captain sets the course! said Pirate. Besides, have you all forgotten? Two-legs cook tasty food! The dogs seemed to perk up at this. The pug has a point, said Brutus. We soon crept into a town whose welcome sign introduced it as Harrington. The streets were eerily silent and the whole place looked completely abandoned.

Paint was peeling, windows were cracked, and there were no lights on anywhere. In short, it was just like all the towns we visited these days. The freshest thing about Harrington seemed to be some tyre marks on the road. I crouched and touched them they seemed recent. Soldiers have been through here, I said. The dogs swivelled their heads about, ears pricked.

I gazed off down the road the tyre marks kept going, and there were no parked vehicles to be seen. I hoped the soldiers had just been passing through. Are we going to look for food? said Tiny. We just ate! said Nosey. Honestly, Tiny, where do you even store it all? I dont really store it for long, said Tiny. Please, said Brutus, no more information.

I didnt like the idea of searching decrepit houses in the dark. There was no starlight to see by indoors. There might be nails, or things falling down, I said. It will be safer to look around tomorrow. Lets just find a place that looks okay and rest up. We found a house with an open front door, and hunkered down in the living room.

Couches were always popular with the dogs, even if they were dusty. I had to admit, I was also relieved to lie down on soft cushions after many nights sleeping on the bare earth. We drifted off easily enough. But it seemed like only a minute later that I woke with a fright, as a strange sound pierced the night. WaaaaAAAAaaaaAAAAaaaa The dogs jumped to their feet in alarm. Whats that? said Tiny, his radar dish ears turning this way and that.

It was something I had not heard in a lifetime. It was a baby crying. The dogs grew agitated as the baby continued to wail into the night. It sounds like a cat with its tail stuck under a rock! said Tiny. Or maybe a car alarm that wont turn off? said Brutus. Or the angry ghost of a drowned sailor, circling a shipwreck, said Pirate.

I know that sound, I said. Thats a baby. A baby? A young two-legs. They gazed at me, fascinated, without really understanding. Like a human puppy. I was a baby once.