Raised by Wolves by Tristan Bancks

STAFF REVIEW

Raised by Wolves is an engaging and easy-to-read story about Olive, who unexpectedly sees her fugitive Father again after years apart. As she follows him, she starts to question what she really believes about her family and herself. It’s a thoughtful book with a bit of suspense, but also plenty of heart.

Reviewed by Tenniell

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When your dad’s a fugitive, who do you trust – him, or yourself?

Twelve-year-old Olive Silver knows how to check every room with a knife when she gets home from school, how to survive alone and how to keep secrets. She’s had to – ever since her criminal dad abandoned her family five years ago and let them pay for his crime.

But now, he’s back.

The day she spots him outside her school, everything tilts. Olive calls her big brother Ben, who’s two days from graduating the police academy, and follows Dad through rain and darkness, across railway tracks and through wrecking yards, desperate for answers. Does Dad love her? Or is he only back for the money?

As the night spins out of control, Olive faces a choice- let Dad go, or hunt him down and bring him to justice.

Raised by Wolves is a tense, heart-stopping thriller about loyalty, betrayal and finding out who you really are when the people you trust most let you down.

About the Author: Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, Ginger Meggs, the Tom Weekly series and, most recently, Scar Town, a suspense-thriller that won the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year for Younger Readers. His other awards and shortlistings include a CBCA Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the YABBA children’s choice book awards. His next book for readers age 10+ is Raised By Wolves, out May 2026.
Tristan is an author-advocate for literacy non-profit Room to Read. He is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the stage and screen. He’s excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create. You can find out more about Tristan’s books, play games, watch videos, join his Young Writer’s StorySchool and help him try to change the world here at tristanbancks.com

05 May 2026

Raised by Wolves by Tristan Bancks ISBN 9781761349812