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The Wild Unknown
Published 28 April 2026
ISBN 9781923058835
Format Paperback
Extent 336pp
AU Price $16.99
NZ Price $21.00

The Wild Unknown

Formats & editions
Paperback
28 Apr 2026
EBook
28 Apr 2026
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A propulsive middle-grade mystery about changing friendships, growing up, and embracing adventure.

'A thrilling adventure with all the ingredients of a classic. Loved it.' Nova Weetman

'Compelling, thoughtful and impossible to put down.' Karys McEwen

It’s 2045 and the world is full of tech. Eddie has a bot in his ear giving him advice all day, and classroom bots keeping track of him at school. The streets are full of bird-drones, and gametech is amazing.

But tech can’t help the police find a missing boy called Theo. When they abandon the search, Eddie and his friends sneak out to look for clues. What they find doesn’t seem to make sense.

Then strange things start happening to Eddie. He’s never been sporty but suddenly he’s a brilliant runner. He has excellent night vision—and there are hair-like feathers growing out of his skin.

It’s exciting. And it’s terrifying.

But does the strangeness have anything to do with Theo’s disappearance? And could it help Eddie find the missing boy?

The Wild Unknown is a gripping adventure set in a near-future world, where the truth can be difficult to find and where real friends will always be better than the smartest tech.

‘Thrilling and suspenseful...opens up a discussion, prompting children to ask what the benefits of AI are, and what should they be concerned about?’ Readings

‘Such an immersive read…if you know a reluctant reader, get them this book.’ Chapters for Change

‘Accessible, fun, and emotionally engaging…I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to any young reader.’ Good Reading
Published 28 April 2026
ISBN 9781923058835
Format Paperback
Extent 336pp
AU Price $16.99
NZ Price $21.00

About the author

Emily Gale

Emily Gale’s work includes the junior fiction duology Eliza Boom, middle-grade novels The Other Side of Summer, Elsewhere Girls and Outlaw Girls (co-written with Nova Weetman), The Goodbye Year, and most recently The Wild Unknown, as well as the YA novels Girl, Aloud, Steal My Sunshine, and I Am Out With Lanterns. Emily’s books have been published all over the world and shortlisted for a number of awards.
portrait photo of Emily Gale

Also by Emily Gale

Outlaw Girls
Elsewhere Girls
The Goodbye Year
See all

Praise for The Wild Unknown

‘A twisty mystery that will keep astute readers on their toes and quickly turning pages for the next exciting incident.’

Just So Stories

‘Exciting, imaginative, and completely within the realms of possibility...It’s tense, fast paced and just when I thought I had a grip on the story, it shook me up and flipped the script.’

Middle Grade Musings

‘A well-executed overlay of futurism...page-turning five-star fiction.’

Lady Hawke Books

‘This is the perfect book for young readers...just an excellent mystery that will have them turning the pages.’

Forest Hill College Library

‘A really good book for talking about the impact of relying on tech…really well written…I was compulsively turning the pages.’

Kid Lit Joy

‘Will raise some interesting ethical issues for young readers about AI and the risks of corruption and biotechnology...I absolutely loved this book.’

ReadPlus

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Article
Behind The Wild Unknown

Emily Gale unpacks the themes and motivations behind her latest book, The Wild Unknown.