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Cover of WILDER GIRLS

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WILDER GIRLS

Rory Power

A disease known as the "Tox" keeps the Raxter School for Girls under quarantine. (Ages 14 to 17)

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? The novel combines complex survival themes with frightening disease-related body horror, graphic transformations, violence, death, and emotionally intense danger. Mature teens are the best fit. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes5/5
  • Death of a character4/5
  • Graphic injury4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death is a central element of the plot, with multiple characters perishing due to the disease or related circumstances.

Graphic injury4/5
Why this rating?

Features graphic and frequent descriptions of bodily mutations, wounds, and intense physical trauma related to the illness.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Includes moderate, realistic usage of strong language consistent with the intense, high-stress setting.

LGBTQIA characters3/5
Why this rating?

The story centers on queer female relationships, which are core to the narrative and character dynamics.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features queer teen romance that is a significant emotional anchor for the characters.

Frightening scenes5/5
Why this rating?

Quarantine, an unexplained illness, monstrous changes, isolation, and threats to teenagers create sustained horror and tension.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains minor, age-appropriate depictions of teenage intimacy and attraction.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Substances are not a primary focus, though the desperate circumstances of the girls include limited resources.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Includes intense scenes of survival-based violence and conflict resulting from the mysterious contagion.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly confront illness, isolation, danger, and uncertainty to protect one another and seek answers.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Presents a highly imaginative and unique world-building concept centered on mutations and contagion.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Includes queer representation among the central teenage characters.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Explores concepts of environmentalism and biological change in a speculative, fictional manner.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Acts of empathy and protection are vital to the girls' survival and interpersonal connections.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes friendship, solidarity, survival, environmental responsibility, and questioning harmful authority or rigid rules.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Teen protagonists show loyalty, resilience, and initiative, while also making difficult and sometimes risky choices under pressure.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in WILDER GIRLS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WILDER GIRLS, and what caused that change?
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