STARRED Book Review: Rewilding by Lisa Gerlits

Reviewed by Samantha Hui

A tender story about family, healing, and the power of rediscovering childhood amidst life’s hardest truths

“I guess some things will grow without tending.”

Family secrets grow like weeds in a garden: no matter how many times we try to pull them out, they always seem to return. But when we confront those secrets and care for ourselves and our families with the compassion of a guardian, rather than the control of a gardener, a beautiful, unruly garden can bloom.

Lisa Gerlits’s Rewilding is a middle grade novel that tackles heavy topics such as depression, abuse, and gaslighting through the lens of an eleven-year-old child. Through the symbolism of rewilding nature, the book invites readers to reflect on their own need for healing and self-care.

“What if my sweet, talkative brother spills all our family secrets?”

Joy is the caretaker for her seven-year-old brother, Ian, shielding him from the harsh realities of their world. Since their father left and their mother’s depression has kept her largely confined to bed or the couch, Joy has taken on the responsibility of looking after Ian, providing for their mother, and guarding their family’s secrets. When the school guidance counselor starts asking questions and the threat of Child Protective Services looms, Joy redoubles her efforts to protect her family. But she’s also hiding a secret of her own, one that has earned her the nickname “Bruiser.”

“‘Rewilding? It’s an attempt to undo the damage humans have done and return the land to nature.’”

When Joy and Ian discover a baby bird in their yard, whom they lovingly name Lady, they embark on a journey that not only deepens their connection to nature but also teaches them powerful lessons about childhood, love, and resilience. In their quest to care for the bird, they form an unlikely friendship with Ezzie, the neighborhood pariah, known for her overgrown yard. In exchange for letting Lady stay with her during the day, the children help Ezzie “rewild” her yard, and in doing so, learn how to “rewild” themselves.

“I need to get on with landscaping our life so that no one will have reason to question what we’re doing.”

Rewilding is a poignant exploration of trauma through the eyes of a child. Joy’s character has been forced to grow up too quickly, shouldering responsibilities that no child should bear. Yet, young readers will relate to Joy’s naivety about her home life. She doesn’t see her situation as unfair or traumatic; she simply feels frustrated and confused. While most coming-of-age stories focus on the transition from childhood to adulthood, Rewilding follows Joy as she regains the wonder and excitement of childhood. The book beautifully reminds readers of the virtues of childhood.

“I think of the food webs we’ve drawn in school, the lines connecting sun to plant to animal to bigger animal. I wonder if there are more lines than we ever thought to draw.”

Throughout the novel, touching illustrations by Savanna Durr bring the story to life. Gerlits’s lush descriptions of Ezzie’s garden, teeming with wildflowers and wildlife, alongside the vivid portrayal of Joy’s inner world—her excitements and anxieties—help make the story feel immersive, as though the reader is right there with the characters. The simple, yet emotionally charged illustrations offer a powerful complement to the narrative, drawing readers even deeper into Joy’s journey.

“‘Oh, don’t get all mopey about it. You did the wrong thing. Now you know better, and you’ll do better.’”

Rewilding is a book full of life—innocent and loving, yet unflinching in its portrayal of grown-up struggles. It’s a story for both children and their parents, especially those who feel the weight of family problems on their shoulders. This novel shows us that children understand more than we often give them credit for. But without truth and guidance, their understanding can twist and turn inward, leaving them to carry burdens that aren’t theirs to bear.

I highly recommend Rewilding to young readers and their parents, as it opens a space for honest conversation about the complexities of family, love, and growing up.

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