A New Kind of Wild
“Where is a more sacred place to learn about another culture than between the pages of a book?”
“A New Kind of Wild,” by Zara González Hoang is inspired by her own upbringing, and that of her father, who is from Puerto Rico. She uses her experiences to teach out feelings of displacement and acclimation. Through the power of friendship and imagination, we can all find our wild, our home.
When Ren moves from el Yunque, the rainforest in Puerto Rico, to a loud city, he is overwhelmed by the noise and the people, the brick and cement. Ava, his new neighbor, knows nothing but the city and takes it upon herself to show Ren what makes it special to her.
Unconvinced, Ren tries to explain to Ava why he's unhappy - the city has no room for wild. Determined to find it, together they use their imagination and explore with fresh eyes. This time they both see "a new kind of wild".
Homesickness or apprehension in a new place is something many can relate to. We like how this story showcases not just the power of friendship but of listening and seeing things from a friend's perspective.
"A New Kind of Wild" was written and illustrated by the talented Zara González Hoang.
Some Things to Think About…
What is the author implying when she writes about wild?
How would you explain the feeling of being somewhere new?
Who do you turn to for comfort? Have you ever had an imaginary friend? What are they like?
