Rewilding by Lisa Gerlits
Rewilding by Lisa Gerlits is heartwarming and emotional, telling the story of a young girl coming to terms with the harsh reality of her family’s struggles. Reflecting her journey is the plight of a baby bird that, after a fall from a nest, becomes Joy’s priority as she works to save it with the help of her eccentric neighbor.
When the school counselor contacts Child Protective Services after suspecting a student is experiencing abuse, Joy begins to worry that her family may be next. With her dad canceling plans and her mom spending all her time on the couch, responsibilities and caring for her brother are left up to her.
Between groceries being forgotten and clothes being outgrown, Joy is desperate for something she can control. She’s introduced to “rewilding” as she and her brother help in the restoration of her neighbor Ezzie’s garden in exchange for help caring for the bird lovingly called Lady.
Unexpected Beauty and Healing
Familial dynamics are at the core of the story, and the strain that has been placed in the aftermath of Joy’s father’s leaving. This lays the foundation for serious conversations about important topics that include depression, neglect and gaslighting.
These topics are portrayed with honesty, and it’s clear that Gerlits worked to tell a genuine story with sensitivity and compassion. The situations that Joy experiences are real and harsh, from her dad canceling plans to her mom forgetting groceries or bills, to her brother bringing home extra food just so they can eat.
The addition of Lady is a reflection of Joy’s struggles and her emotional state, as the bird represents the need Joy has to fix things in her life. So much in her life is out of her control, but helping Ezzie with the garden and caring for Lady gives her something tangible that can be mended. This creates an emotional weight that steadily builds throughout, as you can feel the burden and stress that Joy is experiencing.
Heartwarming and Emotional Story
The concept of “rewilding” serves up quiet moments with Ezzie that explore the beauty in change, growth and restoration. Providing visuals to key moments throughout are black and white illustrations that add to the heart and resilience of Joy’s journey.
Real life is messy, and Joy’s home life reflects that sentiment as fear and responsibilities pile up and put pressure on her. Though these topics can be tough, the writing stays grounded at a child’s level and never becomes too much to read. A heartwarming and emotional story, Rewilding is about family, change and restoration as a young girl works to fix what’s broken and care for a sweet bird.
About Lisa Gerlits:
Lisa Gerlits (she/her) is the author of three middle-grade novels: A Many Feathered Thing, an Oregon Spirit Book Award winner; Rewilding (Red Chair Press, fall 2025); and The Children’s Opera (Apples & Honey Press, 2026). She lives in her hometown of Silverton, Oregon, with her Dutch husband, three kids, one cat and a shifting number of chickens. Lisa enjoys gorging on berries, walking behind waterfalls and painting murals. Also soup.
