The Last Wolf – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Friendship, restrictions, werewolves, genetic marking.
Children’s book title: The Moonhaven Chronicles: The Last Wolf.
Children’s author: Rob Biddulph.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Macmillan Children’s Books.
ISBN: 9781035037315.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12.
First published: Hardback February 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: children who enjoy fantasy fiction and legend. It could also be used to introduce discussion about the misuse of power, the dangers of genetic testing and the necessity of sometimes restricting personal freedom.
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Our review:
The Moonlighters, four friends who regularly break curfew, aren’t at all what you’d expect. Twins Jax and Jovi, tech wizard Esau, and Fourth spend all month doing the same things most kids in their town do, but on the night of the full moon, when everyone has to spend from sundown to sunrise inside, they sneak out and visit all their favourite places alone and without anyone watching, or so they think! The full moon is when the werewolves may attack, and although this hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t mean anyone is safe.
Jax, Jovi, and Esau’s parents are part of the scientific team working to protect the community, while Fourth’s father is the chief of police, so life isn’t easy for any of them, but the chance to break curfew and explore the deserted town has always been too much of a temptation. What they discover shocks them, and after an actual werewolf attack, the authorities are convinced they are involved. As the situation becomes ever more dangerous, the four friends know they are the only ones capable of saving not only their town but the whole world as they know it, but how do they figure out who to trust when those in authority refuse to listen?
Our verdict:
Rob Biddulph has written and illustrated an exciting, fast-moving adventure which will appeal to all readers in the suggested age range and beyond. There are serious subjects covered here, and although not explicitly highlighted, they are described in such a way that they can be discussed in an age-appropriate manner as they surface.
The first part of a duology, the ending is a surprising cliffhanger which will leave readers eager to find out what happens in book two. As is to be expected, the author has provided sympathetic and atmospheric greyscale illustrations throughout.
The chapters are short, which should encourage reluctant readers, and the story is told through various points of view, which keeps it interesting and fast-moving. Although this could be a scary topic, there is only one upsetting scene close to the end, and it is handled carefully and with respect.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Jax and Jovi thought their parents had been seconded to the scientific group working to keep everyone safe from werewolves. While they are gone, their meemaw is looking after the twins. Do you think that makes it easier for them to disappear regularly and then creep back in later?
- The four friends think they have been keeping their journeys secret from everyone. How surprised would you be if not one but two people knew exactly what you were doing?
- Did you know there are twelve different new moons? What do you think would happen if there was no curfew?
- For older readers: The test for the lupine gene leaves a mark on those who test positive, which leads to bullying, name-calling and a general unease for those who have the ‘L’ on their wrist. There have been times in our history when an identifying mark has been used to show those whom a government considers dangerous. What happened to those people in, for example, the Second World War?
- For younger readers: In a cross-curricular activity with art, design a poster explaining why the curfew is so important.
- London Pike has let power go to his head. We would call him a dictator. Do you think he will be in the second book, or has his power been completely removed?
- The final page of the book has an almost identical illustration to the first. There is one difference. How do you think this will impact Jax and his three friends in book two?
Many thanks to Macmillan Children’s Books for the review copy.
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