I was recommended 'The Wild Way Home,' by a friend of mine whose eight year old had really enjoyed it. She didn't tell me any details, and I made a point of not reading the back as I like being totally surprised by a story. And I'm glad I didn't, because this book took me down a path that I could never have expected.

'The Wild Way Home' begins with the story of Charlie Merriam's little brother Dara being born. Charlie has been looking forward to having a sibling for years, and now, on the day before his birthday, his dream has finally come true. But sadly there are complications and the family soon finds out that Dara will have to have surgery on his heart.

Charlie's parents are distraught and Charlie himself runs away from the hospital, filled with confusing and overwhelming emotions. He steps into Madel Forest and hides from his friends, only to suddenly, unexpectedly fall through time and find himself in the very same place, but in a different time entirely.

When he rescues a Stone Age boy, Harby, he finds that their stories are more intertwined than he could have ever imaged. For Harby too is struggling with feelings of guilt about what has happened to his little sister, Mothgirl, or 'Mothga' as he calls her. There's a beautiful passage which illustrates the bond between the boys:

'What's wrong Harby?'

He has put down his sharpening stone and is twizzling the ends of one of the string bracelets on his arm.

'Mothga?' I say softly.

Harby nods; his spear arm is clenched and his eyes squeezed shut. 'Mothga,' he says, his voice choked and strange like it's wrapped tight in brambles. 'I not find Mothga. I not make safe. ' A fat tear escapes and trickles down his cheek and then another.

I swallow. 'It's OK, Harby.' My own voice is bramble-strangled too. 'It'll be OK. Don't give up. We'll find your sister. She'll be OK.'

But will Charlie ultimately make his way home and be reunited with his family? Read this book to find out. It really is very special!