Dusty in the Outwilds

Overview

An enchanting new adventure. An unforgettable land. And the perfect read for young fans of Kate DiCamillo and Karen Foxlee

Dusty has grown up hearing whispers about her mysterious aunt Meg, who went off to live ‘out wild’ and never returned. Yet Dusty’s father refuses to discuss what happened – and her only clue is a photograph of her aunt as a young girl with a strange, monkey-like creature on her shoulder. 

But when Dusty learns that her family’s beloved bushland property might be sold, she’s convinced that only Meg could stop it happening. So Dusty sets off to find her … and that’s when she discovers what ‘out wild’ really means. The Outwilds are beguiling. Dangerous. And full of creatures Dusty half-remembers from old bedtime stories – beautiful, but deadly. Is Meg still out there? And even if she is, how will Dusty bring her home?

Bursting with fantastical creatures and starring a bold young girl determined to uncover the truth, this thrilling fantasy-adventure is destined to be a modern classic.

Reviews

"Dusty, real name Willa Dust, might just be the most intuitive, smart and brave 12-year-old you’ll ever get caught up in an extraordinary adventure with. . . . Dusty proves heroic as she faces obstacle after obstacle, all the while trying to come to terms with the way adults deal with situations, and questioning why there are so many secrets in her family. The reader can’t help but back this plucky explorer. . . . Fans of Karen Foxlee and Jessica Miller will enjoy this otherworldly tale by Rhiannon Williams and revel in the striking illustrations by Martina Heiduczek. For explorative readers ages nine and older." —Books + Publishing

"The award-winning Australian creator of the Ottilie Colter trilogy has gifted us an enthralling new standalone adventure ... Dusty in the Outwilds is the story of a family facing the tough challenges of grief, and discovering the importance of being honest with yourself and your loved ones. It is an exciting tale of exploration, both physical and emotional, for ages 8+." —Readings

"A beautiful middle grade read . . . Has much more depth than being just a simple thrilling and magical adventure tale. While it is those things, it also depicts very well that threshold age of 12 – starting to outgrow childhood and unsure what comes next. There are a lot of complex family and friendship relationships depicted with nuance, and even the seeming “villains” are characterised as whole, full and complex human beings.. . . I’d recommend it not only for the target age group, but to anyone wanting a fairly easy but still heartfelt and magical read." —Cockburn Libraries

"Exquisite worldbuilding keeps a strong sense of discovery and balances the appeal of the huntsman’s life with the deeply unfair society and hints of conspiracies afoot. Amid thrilling action, plot threads set up the next installment. . . . A must-read for fans of the genre." —Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW on Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt
 

Author Biography

Originally from Taradale, Victoria, Rhiannon Williams now lives and writes in Germany. She studied English and history at the University of Sydney, and completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts Honours at Flinders University. Rhiannon has a background in theatre and hopes to tell stories until the end of her days. Her debut novel, Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt, was the first middle-grade novel to win the Ampersand Prize. It is part of a trilogy that has since been published internationally.