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debborahmay's review against another edition
4.0
I will be honest, it was the cover of this book that drew me in more than the subject matter itself, but I can honestly say that I did enjoy the read. It is very well written, hopeful and informative.
The story is well written and easy to read. It shines a light onto the foster care system from a child's perspective - their thought processes/logic behind their behaviour and choices. It is a beautiful tale of trust-building, patience and hope. There are lots of bird facts thrown in there too for good measure!
The story is well written and easy to read. It shines a light onto the foster care system from a child's perspective - their thought processes/logic behind their behaviour and choices. It is a beautiful tale of trust-building, patience and hope. There are lots of bird facts thrown in there too for good measure!
kategolledge's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
So many emotions in this book - getting to know December was an honor.
Full of universal themes such as hope and determination, this is a debut that will make you remember this author's name!
Full of universal themes such as hope and determination, this is a debut that will make you remember this author's name!
cbs5678's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I read this in one sitting, loved the main characters and the bird theme. I do think the secondary story should have been its own book.
mousie's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful, poignant story of December, an 11-year-old in foster care, who finds a home with Eleanor, a woman who works at an an animal rehabilitation center. Fascinated by birds, she writes an autobiography, Bird Girl, about her transformation into a girl who can fly. We are firmly in December's point of view, and a transgender friend, Cherilynne, is introduced with subtly and grace. Even Eleanor's losses are understood from a child's perspectives.
Note: There are a lot of foster kid stories out there that are powerful (One for the Murphys, All the Impossible Things) but this one should definitely be added to the list of keepers.
Note: There are a lot of foster kid stories out there that are powerful (One for the Murphys, All the Impossible Things) but this one should definitely be added to the list of keepers.
jbrooxd's review
3.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
I enjoyed watching December's relationship develop with her foster mom, Eleanor. Eleanor has a great way of approaching December - and December recognizes and appreciates the effort. Otherwise, though, I didn't click with this one. It took me awhile to reconcile December's bird connection. She thinks she can become a bird and fly away. Is this trauma based or psychosis? She is a danger to herself as she throws herself out of trees in an effort to fly. This seems pretty serious, yet it's not really addressed in the book like it would be if this really happened with a child in foster care. I've worked with kids in out of home care before, so this was a big distraction/issue for me as I read.
I liked the connection December makes with Cheryllynn, a transgender student at her school. The bullied kids teaming up to support one another is a good story thread, but even that relationship didn't make the story click for me. I couldn't connect with the heart of it. I wasn't emotionally tied to the story.
While I usually like foster care/found family sorts of stories, this one wasn't a great fit for me. Other readers may have better luck with this one.
I enjoyed watching December's relationship develop with her foster mom, Eleanor. Eleanor has a great way of approaching December - and December recognizes and appreciates the effort. Otherwise, though, I didn't click with this one. It took me awhile to reconcile December's bird connection. She thinks she can become a bird and fly away. Is this trauma based or psychosis? She is a danger to herself as she throws herself out of trees in an effort to fly. This seems pretty serious, yet it's not really addressed in the book like it would be if this really happened with a child in foster care. I've worked with kids in out of home care before, so this was a big distraction/issue for me as I read.
I liked the connection December makes with Cheryllynn, a transgender student at her school. The bullied kids teaming up to support one another is a good story thread, but even that relationship didn't make the story click for me. I couldn't connect with the heart of it. I wasn't emotionally tied to the story.
While I usually like foster care/found family sorts of stories, this one wasn't a great fit for me. Other readers may have better luck with this one.
tami_provencher's review against another edition
4.0
December Lee Morgan is eleven years old. She has been placed in numerous foster homes over the past three years. December is convinced that the scars on her back are from where her wings once existed--and where they will break free from her human body again, returning her to her rightful form as a bird. When we first meet December she is, in fact, trying to practice flying by jumping from a tree. This escapade leads directly to December being moved to yet another foster home.
December is placed with Eleanor--whom the townspeople refer to as the Bird Whisperer. Initially distrustful of Eleanor, December remains committed to the story she has been writing of her life--the one in which she reverts to bird form and flies away, free. Eleanor's patience and steady hand--as well as her work with a special bird at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center--begin to give December hope that she may be able to have a home as a human girl after all. At school December meets Cheryllynn, another girl trying very hard to define who she is despite what others may think or say about her and finds in her an unexpected friend.
Extraordinary Birds is a sweet, loving story about a young girl's long journey to accept her past and not allow it to define who she becomes. December's voice is earnest and open. The metaphor of birds is used constantly throughout the story in an extremely effective way. Both December's and Eleanor's knowledge of birds provides a common language through which to communicate. Extraordinary Birds shows the reader, in a very tangible way, that life can hold pain, and loss and fear simultaneously with joy and laughter and a sense of belonging. It is a heartfelt story that doesn't feel like it's manipulating the reader's emotions. It was definitely a 4 out of 5 stars read for me.
December is placed with Eleanor--whom the townspeople refer to as the Bird Whisperer. Initially distrustful of Eleanor, December remains committed to the story she has been writing of her life--the one in which she reverts to bird form and flies away, free. Eleanor's patience and steady hand--as well as her work with a special bird at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center--begin to give December hope that she may be able to have a home as a human girl after all. At school December meets Cheryllynn, another girl trying very hard to define who she is despite what others may think or say about her and finds in her an unexpected friend.
Extraordinary Birds is a sweet, loving story about a young girl's long journey to accept her past and not allow it to define who she becomes. December's voice is earnest and open. The metaphor of birds is used constantly throughout the story in an extremely effective way. Both December's and Eleanor's knowledge of birds provides a common language through which to communicate. Extraordinary Birds shows the reader, in a very tangible way, that life can hold pain, and loss and fear simultaneously with joy and laughter and a sense of belonging. It is a heartfelt story that doesn't feel like it's manipulating the reader's emotions. It was definitely a 4 out of 5 stars read for me.