New novel 'Children of the Wild' explores how war can horrify and bond

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published June 16, 2026 at 11:50 AM EDT

The cover of "Children of the Wild" and author Kevin Powers. (Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers and Lynn Tennille)

Author and Army veteran Kevin Powers‘ latest novel, “Children of the Wild,” centers around two young men from the Virginia mountains whose brotherhood is both tested and strengthened when they enlist to fight in World War I.

Book excerpt: ‘Children of the Wild’

By Kevin Powers

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

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