The series that launched Cornelia Funke as one of the most beloved authors in German, THE WILD CHICKS is a middle-grades to YA series about a group of German girls who form the eponymous ‘Wild Chicks’ gang. Funke began the series after her editor’s request for a story ‘without fairies, ghosts, or pirates,’ and was adamant about creating a realistic story, with relatable characters and adventures any child could have. THE WILD CHICKS pulls from Funke’s own suburban German upbringing and takes place in the late 20th century-before the popularization of cellphones, Wi-Fi, and many of the things that children now use to amuse themselves indoors. The members of the Wild Chicks gang-Charlie, Freya, Trudie, and Melanie-don’t have perfect families, but they have each other, humor, and plenty of adventures!