The Great Escape (Wolf Girl 2) by Anh Do

What worked:

Readers need to know that Gwen was left alone four years ago, and she’s been living with four dogs ever since. The story follows Gwen, while other chapters cover the dogs, until the group is reunited. The dogs are of different species with their own unique personalities. Sunrise has known Gwen the longest, and she acts as the group’s leader when they’re separated from Gwen. Tiny is a Chihuahua and uses sensitive hearing to act as a lookout. Zip is a Greyhound with poor eyesight, and Nosey is a Labrador with a keen sense of direction. Brutus is a Mastiff and often has a grouchy disposition. The dogs are aided by an eagle called Eagle. Young readers will enjoy how Gwen works with her canine friends and Eagle to escape capture and search for her parents.

Gwen is taken to a guarded compound surrounded by a tall fence and confined in a small prison cell. She sees children her age laboring to break up rocks and then carrying them into a secret, walled-off area. Readers are left to imagine what’s going on in this compound and why she doesn’t see any adults, other than the guards. The author introduces a new character when a captive boy named Rupert gives Gwen some food. He’s punished for this act of kindness, but he becomes another ally for her. However, Rupert tells her a big lie, and Gwen must decide if she’s willing to forgive him.

What didn’t work as well:

This story feels like several chapters from one larger book. Readers must know for themselves what’s already happened. The book’s ending simply stops the action, so readers will need to read the third one to continue the story. Also, it’s unclear why the author called the wolf Puppy in the first book but changed it to Sunrise in the second.

The final verdict:

You should read Wolf Girl first, since this book picks up immediately where the first book ended. Readers may be disappointed with the plot’s resolution, but in the end, this book is a fun, fast-paced story.