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gracegreenlaw's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the Scottish Highlands, Sky Hawk tells the story of a boy called Callum, his discovery of an Osprey named Iris and her migration journey. The books is told largely in the third person but is also partially written from the perspective of Iris which gives it a unique feel. Each chapter is short and gripping and there are several cliff hangers and very unexpected moments within the story.
A receptive context could be created by bringing feathers and nest building items into the classroom before reading the book for children to explore. Arranging for birds of prey to visit a school or going bird spotting would also pique children’s interest in birds before they become invested in the characters in the story.
While the story is fantastic it does contain some sensitive themes. This book should be read with older children and some pre-work could be completed on experiencing and dealing with grief. This book is very fitting currently as it addresses the impact that humans have on animals and could lead into further study about animal conservation.
A receptive context could be created by bringing feathers and nest building items into the classroom before reading the book for children to explore. Arranging for birds of prey to visit a school or going bird spotting would also pique children’s interest in birds before they become invested in the characters in the story.
While the story is fantastic it does contain some sensitive themes. This book should be read with older children and some pre-work could be completed on experiencing and dealing with grief. This book is very fitting currently as it addresses the impact that humans have on animals and could lead into further study about animal conservation.
mrsbond's review
2.0
Slow moving, not really invested in the characters or story. And, not sure I understand who this book is for, weird mix of 2nd grade interest with 7th grade topics. Includes: additional resources and reading, invitation to connect with author as she participates in tagging osprey to monitor during migration.
yvettekeller's review against another edition
5.0
Snatched in the Talons of an Incredible Story
This is a beautiful, powerful book about taking action from a place of compassion. I recommend it to readers young and old who seek an uplifting and inspiring journey. This book follows five children and the endangered, migrating osprey that teaches them how to expand their positive influences globally by observing and engaging with their communities locally. An emotionally charged, highly satisfying story, lovingly written.
This is a beautiful, powerful book about taking action from a place of compassion. I recommend it to readers young and old who seek an uplifting and inspiring journey. This book follows five children and the endangered, migrating osprey that teaches them how to expand their positive influences globally by observing and engaging with their communities locally. An emotionally charged, highly satisfying story, lovingly written.
alecitlikethat's review against another edition
4.0
Aimed at a younger audience, but manages to capture the beauty of nature and wildlife in a way that can be enjoyed by all. It was a quick and engaging read full of great imagery, as well as friendship and loss.
yourcitygavemedepression's review
4.0
There’s something about Wild Wings that feels so familiar and comforting. The vibe is very much “seven” by Taylor Swift, and I think that is beautiful.
I can’t place my finger on why it’s not a 5/5, maybe I wish it were longer. The illustrations were a very nice touch, and even though it may seem like a children’s book, there are definitely points where it’s very mature. Anyone could enjoy it, honestly.
I can’t place my finger on why it’s not a 5/5, maybe I wish it were longer. The illustrations were a very nice touch, and even though it may seem like a children’s book, there are definitely points where it’s very mature. Anyone could enjoy it, honestly.
tcbueti's review against another edition
5.0
SAME BOOK AS SKY HAWK!
Callum learns about an endangered osprey nesting on their Scottish farm, from outcast classmate Iona. They bond over this secret, and Callum avoids his old friends to protect it. When the osprey, Iris, is injured, the local nature preserve manager helps them treat her and fits her with a transmitter. Iona dies suddenly (meningitis) but Callum has promised to protect Iris. When she to migrates to The Gambia and then her signal fails, Callum emails anyone he can think of to find and help her. His old friends are now in on the secret and help.
His emails are answered by Jeneba, a young girl hospitalized with two broken legs. Her father and brother find Iris and get her help for that old injury. The boys in Scotland raise $ for Jeneba to be flown to London for special surgery, while keeping Iris’ nesting site secret. All ends well as Iris fights through a storm to return to her mate and nest.
An all around feel good book, with so me lyrical bits. Wish Jeneba were fleshed out a bit more. The idea of broadening your worldview by tracking animal migration via Google maps, and the urgency of Iris’ journey make this a neat combo. Both a modern Scottish farm and a village in The Gambia will be new territory for our readers.
Callum learns about an endangered osprey nesting on their Scottish farm, from outcast classmate Iona. They bond over this secret, and Callum avoids his old friends to protect it. When the osprey, Iris, is injured, the local nature preserve manager helps them treat her and fits her with a transmitter. Iona dies suddenly (meningitis) but Callum has promised to protect Iris. When she to migrates to The Gambia and then her signal fails, Callum emails anyone he can think of to find and help her. His old friends are now in on the secret and help.
His emails are answered by Jeneba, a young girl hospitalized with two broken legs. Her father and brother find Iris and get her help for that old injury. The boys in Scotland raise $ for Jeneba to be flown to London for special surgery, while keeping Iris’ nesting site secret. All ends well as Iris fights through a storm to return to her mate and nest.
An all around feel good book, with so me lyrical bits. Wish Jeneba were fleshed out a bit more. The idea of broadening your worldview by tracking animal migration via Google maps, and the urgency of Iris’ journey make this a neat combo. Both a modern Scottish farm and a village in The Gambia will be new territory for our readers.
rebecita's review
4.0
There are two books in here... the first half is a Scottish Bridge to Terabithia for nature lovers... a bit of a hard sell to most of my urban readers. Then the second half becomes a much more accessible adventure about kids from different parts of the world coming together to save the day. (Don't get me wrong, kids don't always need to be spoonfed with high-interest reading. They can/should/will read 'slower' literature, but I do wish the author had worked the first part into a backstory or something to keep the pacing more consistent.)
This would be a great book to teach along with a science/geography unit, but probably a harder sell for pleasure reading unless you have a mini environmentalist or birder on your hands. Honestly, I was confused by how excited every single one of the characters get about the prospect of seeing an osprey. It's like they've found a unicorn.
This would be a great book to teach along with a science/geography unit, but probably a harder sell for pleasure reading unless you have a mini environmentalist or birder on your hands. Honestly, I was confused by how excited every single one of the characters get about the prospect of seeing an osprey. It's like they've found a unicorn.
nfrazzetta's review
2.0
Not my favorite children's lit book. I felt that it had too many story lines, and the heart of the "bird story" got lost among all the other details.