Lumi and the Wolf by Lottie Saahko – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: friendship, autism, Lapland, global warming.
Children’s book title: Lumi and the Wolf.
Children’s author: Lottie Saahko.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Starboard.
ISBN: 9781510102071.
Recommended for children aged: 8+.
First published: September 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: class reading and discussion about climate change and how it impacts different areas in different ways. Also an excellent starting point for looking at how we feel others see us and the cruelty someone can receive if thought even slightly different by their peers.
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Our review:
Lumi’s parents are musicians and when they are asked to join a European tour at short notice, she is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle for a month. It’s all a bit of a shock to the system because she lives in London but Aunt Iris and Uncle Niko are in Lapland! Lumi doesn’t like any kind of change, so this is a really big deal for her. She has her journal with her, however, and all the details she will see in the snow-covered landscape will definitely end up as drawings and observations.
While Lumi is out exploring, she sees an injured animal, the white wolf, and when she discovers the locals are hunting him down to protect their reindeer herds, she knows it’s up to her to take him to the nearest national park where he will be protected. Travelling cross-country in Lapland is very different to anything she’s attempted before, but she has snacks, the gloves, hat and socks her Uncle Niko knitted for her, and a determination to save the life of the beautiful wolf who trusts her to help. What more could she need?
Oskár has only met Lumi once, but when he finds her journal and the map she was following, he sets off after her and, before long, is accompanying her across the snow-packed landscape. It’s clear Lumi has underestimated the length and severity of the journey and the dangers of the frozen landscape, but with Oskár at her side, she is sure they will soon reach their destination. But then they hear an alarming sound: snowmobiles! They have been found. Suddenly, everything changes and Lumi doesn’t know what to do, but finally, maybe for the first time, she isn’t alone or misunderstood: she has a friend to help. She just has to hope that is enough.
Our verdict:
Lottie Saahko, the author of this beautiful book, is neurodivergent and her own understanding of the conditions this includes means Lumi, who is autistic, is sympathetically and realistically drawn. Staying with her relatives is a big deal, and Lumi’s thought processes and reactions, seen from her point of view, are enlightening. It is also clear that she understands the landscape and the dangers it faces from global warming and climate change.
There is a touching innocence about Lumi which is severely tested during this story. Most things are black or white to her, and she is determined to fight for what she believes is right. The friendship which develops between her and Oskár is the key part of the book for me, explaining how difficult it is for Lumi to feel accepted and for Oskár to do what he feels is right while also keeping Lumi safe.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Lumi is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle in Lapland where almost everything is different. What would you find the hardest to adapt to? The food, the weather, the different clothes or something else?
- How much harder do you think the changes would be for Lumi given that she is autistic and finds change really hard to deal with?
- The reindeer Oskár’s family own are sold for their meat, amongst other things. The forests are populated by wolves and wolverines, along with woodpeckers and other less familiar birds Lumi doesn’t recognise. Do you think it would be easier to visit Great Britain from Lapland or vice versa?
- The drawings in Lumi’s book are beautiful. How will she feel when she looks back at her journey and her illustrations?
- Produce a missing poster for Lumi. What would be the most important facts to include?
- Lottie Saahko’s Lumi and the Wolf school visits page outlines a Forest Diary activity, Lumi’s Backpack session, author talk and writing workshop linked directly to the book.
- Lottie Saahko’s Keeping a Nature Journal page gives a five-step Forest Diary activity inspired directly by Lumi’s journal, with suggested materials and observation prompts.
- Lottie Saahko’s videos page gathers research material connected to the book’s Lapland setting, wildlife, Sámi culture and reindeer farming for classroom use.
Many thanks to Starboard for the review copy.
To order a class set of this book, please click below to order via uk.bookshop.org, an organisation that supports local bookshops, or Amazon.co.uk.
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