Into the Wild (novel) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Erin Hunter |
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| Cover artist | Wayne McLoughlin |
| Country | United States Canada |
| Series | Warriors |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Avon, HarperCollins |
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Publication date
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21 January 2003 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 272 (depending on edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-000002-8 |
| LC Class | PZ7.H916625 In 2003 |
| Followed by | Fire and Ice |
Into the Wild is an exciting fantasy novel by Erin Hunter. It was first published in 2003 by HarperCollins in North America and the United Kingdom. This book is the very first one in the popular Warriors series. You can find it in paperback, e-book, and even in twenty different languages!
The story is about a young house cat named Rusty. He decides to leave his human home to join a group of wild cats living in the forest. These wild cats are called ThunderClan. When Rusty joins, he gets a new name: Firepaw. He learns how to hunt and protect his new Clan. Firepaw soon finds himself in tricky situations and faces betrayal within the Clan. By the end of the book, after a big battle, he earns his warrior name, Fireheart. He also has to stand up to the mean cat, Tigerclaw. The whole story is told from Fireheart's point of view.
The Warriors series started in 2003. HarperCollins asked a writer named Victoria Holmes to create a story about wild cats. After she came up with the main idea, Kate Cary helped write the book. Victoria Holmes then worked behind the scenes, making sure all the details were just right. The authors use special words like "twoleg" for human and "new-leaf" for spring. Many people have compared the book's style to other famous fantasy series like Harry Potter. Into the Wild was very popular with critics. Booklist thought fans of Brian Jacques' Redwall series would love it. It even won third place in the 2006 Young Reader's Choice Award!
Who is Erin Hunter?
You might be surprised to learn that "Erin Hunter" is not just one person! It's a special name used by several authors. At first, there were four writers working on the Warriors books. The team decided to use one name, "Erin Hunter," so that all the books would be together in libraries. This made it easier for readers to find them. The last name "Hunter" was chosen because it placed the books near the similar Redwall series.
Special Cat Words
The Warriors books have their own unique language, or "lexicon." This means they use special words for everyday things. For example, a house cat is called a "kittypet," and humans are called "twolegs." Instead of saying "he said," the authors often write "he mewed" or "she purred."
The names of the cats are also special. They usually have two parts. These parts often describe something about the cat's looks, personality, or habits. For example, a cat might be named "Fireheart" because of their fiery spirit. However, the names must make sense for cats living in the wild. One character was almost named "Hammerclaw," but an editor realized cats wouldn't know what a hammer is! The authors get ideas for names from things cats would experience, like sights, sounds, and smells.
Why Fantasy Stories Are Great
When HarperCollins first asked for this book, they wanted a "fantasy story about wild cats." The authors realized they could add human-like feelings and problems into the story. These include things like loyalty, courage, and dealing with difficult leaders. Some people have called the story an "animal adventure."
Into the Wild is part of the popular young adult fantasy genre. Many people, including author Cherith Baldry, believe fantasy stories are important. She feels that fantasy helps us explore deep human feelings. These stories can help readers understand and deal with their own emotions in the real world. Another "Erin Hunter" author, Kate Cary, thinks fantasy books like Harry Potter help brighten our lives. She believes fantasy stories let kids "escape into the world of the imagination," where they can feel truly free.
Images for kids
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The fictional forest of the novel was originally inspired by New Forest (above) and other places in England and Scotland.
