Wild Song
Wild Song by Candy Gourlay, published by Lerner Publishing Group on October 7, 2025, is a young adult fiction novel set in the Philippines in 1904. The story follows sixteen-year-old Luki, who is recognized as the best hunter in her village but must conceal her talent due to societal expectations that dictate she should marry and raise a family. When Luki is presented with an opportunity to travel to the United States for the World’s Fair, she seizes the chance, embarking on a journey that will challenge her understanding of identity and freedom.
As Luki arrives in Saint Louis, Missouri, she finds herself part of an exhibition that showcases Indigenous peoples from around the world. Throughout her experience, she forms friendships and uncovers unsettling truths about her situation and the world around her. The narrative explores themes of prejudice and racism, as well as the complexities of cultural representation. With 280 pages, this edition invites readers to engage with Luki’s internal struggles and the broader social themes of the early 20th century, reflecting on the choices that shape her future.
Official synopsis Publisher
The Philippines, 1904
Sixteen-year-old Luki is the best hunter in her village, but she has to keep it a secret. Hunting is a man’s skill. She’s expected to marry and raise a family instead.
Chafing against these restrictions, she impulsively accepts an offer from the local American authorities: they’re looking for volunteers to travel to the United States for the World’s Fair, where Indigenous peoples from around the world will be represented.
Luki and others make the long journey to Saint Louis, Missouri, for the fair, where they’re “exhibited” in a replica village. But even as Luki makes friends and discovers a wider world that intrigues her, she learns dangerous secrets and difficult truths. Facing pressures from all sides, she must decide what kind of future she wants after the fair.
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