Dusty in the Outwilds

by Rhiannon Williams

An enchanting new adventure. An unforgettable land. And the perfect read for young fans of Kate DiCamillo and Karen Foxlee, by beloved Australian author Rhiannon Williams.

Dusty has grown up hearing whispers about her mysterious aunt Meg, who went off to live ‘out wild’ and never returned. Yet Dusty’s father refuses to discuss what happened – and her only clue is a photograph of her aunt as a young girl with a strange, monkey-like creature on her shoulder.

But when Dusty learns that her family’s beloved bushland property might be sold, she’s convinced that only Meg could stop it happening. So Dusty sets off to find her … and that’s when she discovers what ‘out wild’ really means.
The Outwilds are beguiling. Dangerous. And full of creatures Dusty half-remembers from old bedtime stories – beautiful, but deadly. Is Meg still out there? And even if she is, how will Dusty bring her home?

Bursting with fantastical creatures and starring a bold young girl determined to uncover the truth, this thrilling fantasy-adventure is destined to be a modern classic. Written by Rhiannon Williams, author of the beloved Narroway trilogy, this stand-alone hardback features stunning illustrations by Martina Heiduczek and is the perfect gift for readers aged 9+.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Childrens, Book Club

296 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2022

About the author

Rhiannon Williams lives in Tasmania, where she writes magical books for young readers. Her debut novel, Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt, won the Ampersand Prize. Her books have also been named CBCA Notables and shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards, the Readings Children’s Book Prize, the Speech Pathology Australia Book Awards and the IBBY Ena Noël Award.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful adventure set in a portal world in Australia. I loved it.

[the bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!
This is a middle-grade novel (since it is higher then 250 pages) what’s the book is about?
Dusty has grown up hearing whispers about her mysterious aunt Meg, who went off to live ‘out wild’ and never returned. Yet Dusty’s father refuses to discuss what happened – and her only clue is a photograph of her aunt as a young girl with a strange, monkey-like creature on her shoulder.

But when Dusty learns that her family’s beloved bushland property might be sold, she’s convinced that only Meg could stop it happening. So Dusty sets off to find her … and that’s when she discovers what ‘out wild’ really means.
The Outwilds are beguiling. Dangerous. And full of creatures Dusty half-remembers from old bedtime stories – beautiful, but deadly. Is Meg still out there? And even if she is, how will Dusty bring her home?
I think adults could enjoy it too, it is perfect, I would say 8+ but 9+ seems the perfect age, it was a good read, i usually only read YA or above, but will now be reviewing under, but this was a fast read, but I know some things may change since it was a ARC (Thank You Hardie Grant Publishing) so if you like books about fantasy magical places with some twist (may change) then I would recommend this book to aged 8/9+
Thank you Hardie grant for the ARC

[Louise Tong (shadybookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Death

This is definitely a twisty book, suited for those who are fans of middle grade (and those also young at heart)!

I like how there was secrets and mystery, but in a fantasy setting. It made it all the more fun!

Rating: 3.75/5

Thank you to Hardie Grant for a copy of this title for review!

[Candy_ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Este es uno de esos libros que son una grata sorpresa. A decir verdad no esperaba mucho de él, cuando leí la sinopsis era uno de esos días en que no encontraba que leer y si mal no recuerdo acababa de leer un libro también de fantasía ambiental, en ese momento recuerdo pensar, bueno quizás puede ser uno de esos que en el humor correcto funcione.

Y tengo que decir que cuando lo empecé no estaba del humor correcto, solo quería leer algo y finalmente decidí disminuir mi lista de libros en espera en vez de buscar mas que la aumentaran. Me alegra haberlo hecho.

Desde el principio todo el misterio sobre la tía de Dusty, Meg, me capturó, no tanto por el misterio en sí sino por la forma en que Rhiannon hizo que las palabras fluyeran, construyendo la personalidad se Dusty y contando la intriga sobre su tía y lo que pasaba en su familia que solo tuve que seguir leyendo. Luego entre más avanzaba la historia más atrapada en ella estaba, en toda la aventura y peligro que Gus, Dusty y Nico enfrentaban.

Pero para ser justos déjenme les cuento de que va este maravilloso libro.

Dusty, es una niña de doce años quien desde pequeña ha tenido curiosidad sobre su tía Meg debido a la poca información que le ha dado su familia y a las reacciones drásticas de su padre cada vez que alguien la menciona. Durante su visita anual a su abuela descubre que su padre y tío, planean vender la casa y todo el terreno aledaño, e incluso tal vez talar los árboles que plantó su bisabuela. En un intento por impedir que esto pase emprende un viaje con su mejor amigo Gus y la hermanita de él, Nico (quien por cierto es bastante especial) al bosque dentro de los terrenos de su famila en busca de su tía Meg con la esperanza de que ella pueda detener los planes de su padre y tío.

No obstante, en su misión descubre Outwilds, un mundo imposible que existe dentro de un árbol, donde los animales tienen estrafalarias apariencias y un sentido fuerte de protección. Los problemas empiezan cuando su grupo se ve separado en este mundo extraño con una cazadora furtiva decidida a atrapar a uno de los animales más raros de Outwilds . En su viaje Dusty no solo descubre los secretos enterrados de su familia sino que también aprender a ver las cosas de una manera diferente.

El estilo de escritura de Rhiannon en Dusty in the Otwilds es simplemente cautivador, Dusty es una chica tan valiente, con un gran sentido de la justicia y una empatía por la naturaleza que es dificil no quererla. Pero no son solo los personajes, la forma de tejer el misterio sobre Meg a lo largo del libro sin hacerlo sentir repetitivo, aburrido o abrumador es fantástica.
También la forma de mostrar esa conexión que todos tenemos con la naturaleza y como hay quienes no lo aprecian deja un lindo mensaje, al igual que la resolución de todo el misterio.

En definitiva este libro es perfecto para todos aquellos que busquen algo de intriga y fantasía, sin mencionar todos aquellos niños que se beneficiarán por las enseñanzas que deja sobre la vida y la naturaleza.

[Emily Rainsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

What a beautiful middle grade read for the young and anyone who remembers what it's like to be young!

12 year old Dusty doesn't know much about her father's sister Meg, only that she ran away "out wild" when she was 13. When Dusty, her best friend Gus and his little sister Nico set off into the bush to find Meg, what they find instead is an incredible jungle world full of fantastical creatures at the end of a staircase inside a tree. Little do they know, the secrets they uncover there may just force her family to face some buried truths....

I would call this an adventure story with magical realism. The "Outwilds" beneath the tree are full of fantasy creatures, yet "fantasy" doesn't quite fit right as a genre. After a couple of chapters set up, once in the jungle the pace moves at a solid clip with chapter cliffhangers that keep you reading. I can absolutely see this being an engaging read for the target 8-12 readership. I hope that boys would also give this one a chance as I think it would definitely have wide appeal (it shouldn't make a difference but the unfortunate truth is that boys this age can be reluctant to read a book with a female central protagonist).

This story has much more depth than a simple thrilling and magical adventure tale. It depicts very well that threshold age of 12 - starting to outgrow childhood and unsure what comes next. There are a lot of complex family and friendship relationships depicted with nuance, and even the seeming "villains" are characterised as whole, full and complex human beings. There is an underlying theme of grief that is quite sad but well handled. I liked how well the story portrayed that realisation you start to come to at this age, that adults don't actually always have the right answers or make the right choices, that they're complex and full of emotions and doubt, not just the big magical beings who fix everything, as they can seem in childhood.

Overall this book had a lot more to it than I was expecting and I'd recommend it not only for the target age group, but to anyone wanting a fairly easy but still heartfelt and magical read.

[Teaching Little Fishies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Outwilds is a perfect picture of imagination, intrigue and wonder with a sprinkle of suspense and drama. Rhiannon puts the reader directly into the mindset of Dusty as we experience the emotions she does. You will be drawn into this wonderful story through the beautiful way in which each detail is described to fully capture the experience.

With only whispers, refused discussions and a photograph to go off, Dusty seeks to find out more about her Aunty Meg. Prompted by the possibility that the family’s bushland property might be sold, she heads off ‘out wild’ to find the solution. This is where the beautiful writing of Rhiannon will take hold and pull you into the story wanting to find out more just as Dusty too wants to find out more.

I think the best way to describe this book is that you will be transported into another world without having to understand a new concept of magic and how it all came to be. A great book for readers 9+.

Teaching Point:
Word Choice & Descriptive Language! - This is where I would head with this book if I were to implement it into the classroom. You could pull out a number of passages in which the environment is described in beautiful details.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dusty in the Outwilds is an interesting novel dealing with family secrets, friendships, a family mystery and a fantastical secret. I really liked the setup, as Dusty tries to understand what is happening with her Gran, and with Aunt Meg who disappeared many years ago. Her family is facing some problems, and Dusty's Dad and Uncle won't talk about it or listen to her. Dusty, her friend Gus and his little sister Nico decide the best solution to the family problems would be if they could find Aunt Meg themselves. A long the way, they make some fantastic discoveries as they venture into The Outwilds. The Outwilds themselves were also fascinating, with excellent descriptions that made me want to be there.

Once we reach The Outwilds, though, the storyline lost some of its magic and events were a little too chaotic and random for me. I would also have liked the fractures that developed between Dusty and Gus to be explored a little more.

I feel like overall this was an interesting book, which some readers will love but I feel some will lose interest in.

[Ms Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dusty’s family is topsy-turvy, in a state of flux. Gran’s really unwell, horrid Uncle Buck is on a rampage, Dad is distant and not himself and the mystery of Aunt Meg’s disappearance is being to be revealed. The adults in her life won’t tell her, so Dusty, her friend Gus and Gus’ younger sister Nico decide they must get to the bottom of Meg’s whereabouts themselves before Gran’s property is sold and the clues are lost forever. When they reach the Outwilds they encounter every possible obstacle and bizarre creature. Inside, it’s a game of cat and mouse, of lost friends, lost family, and a constant chase scene. Lots of revelations throughout - for the reader and the characters. A complex and layered story about family lore, courage, and communication.

10+ Years

Will be using as a stretch book for Year 5 Literature Circle - Action & Adventure.

[Victoria Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a welcome surprise from the Brisbane Story Arts Conference. A huge thank you to Hardie Grants, I would not have usually picked it for myself but I loved it and I think I could easily return to read it again and again.

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the suspense in the story. The fantasy elements were vivid, well placed and the authors words created beautiful visual imagery. Loved how relatable the setting was. The unexpected twists through the story kept me engrossed until the end. A very satisfying ending. Definitely worth checking out!

[Cecile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had it all - adventure and action, twists and turns, family secrets and stories, friendship highs and lows. I can’t say too much without revealing spoilers but will say this is a thoroughly great read and I encourage you to seek the book out and share it with readers 9+ (making sure you read it with or to them so you don’t miss out!)

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To grow out of magic - what a horrible thought."

To solve the mystery of her missing aunt, Dusty travels to an extraordinary world.
Reminiscent of Journey To The Centre of the Earth, this book is full of beautiful descriptions of a magical landscape filled with amazing creatures. It is also a story of grief, family and love and how sometimes these are all bound up in a messy tangle.

[Carla Lo Coco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes since my kids and I really loved The Narroway Hunt trilogy, but this one wasn’t quite as good. I read it aloud and it felt like I was tripping over the sentences a lot, like it needed another edit. More like 2.75 stars, and here’s to the author’s next project being a bit better.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This was a story about grief and family loss more so than any sort of playful portal fantasy. It was bittersweet but not at all what I expected.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* A fun and fantastical mystery middle grade story.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Definitely recommend!!!!

[Cardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle grade adventure story that explores family grief. The kids and I both enjoyed. Recommend!

[Krishya Karthikeyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why? But I actually loved this book, it was somewhat entertaining. It was a different book from all the murder mystery i've been reading lately.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dusty was so angry. How could her uncle and father talk about selling her grandmother’s house and cutting down the trees she loved. Who had been in Aunt Meg’s room? No one went in there. Where was the beach in the photo?
Dusty decides she will find Meg and the beach and solve the secrets she’s heard whispered. What does she find? What happened to Aunt Meg?
I enjoyed the fantasy world of the story. What could be in our own backyards?
Recommend for readers eight to ten years.

[Katie's Book Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Hardie Grant Publishing for sending me an ARC copy of this novel!
I found it to be quite a captivating read with adventure and mystery in the air!

Very suitable for younger readers.