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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.
couillac's review
3.0
A well-written story of kids involved in their natural surroundings. I thought Iona's death was a bit sudden and lacked an emotional punch, but at the same time, was glad the book was about more than that. The kids' relationships were authentic and complicated, and the suspense and ultimately happy ending were satisfying. A quality read that manages to inspire action and interest in the natural world without being overly heavy-handed.
charlietheninth's review
5.0
Callum's friends don't like Iona - but she's discovered the nest of an endangered osprey on his family's farm, and they share this secret together like undercover friends. At school, Callum lets his friends tease her, but after school, they meet up to observe the osprey's aerie and root for the eggs inside. This is just the beginning of a story about all kinds of friendships that spans continents and made me cry a bajillion tears. One of the things I loved is how this book subtly asks a lot of really complex questions - like if your neighbor lets something terrible happen, is that your neighbor's fault, or is it also your fault for not being the kind of person he could have approached for help? It's a really wonderful, subtle depth you rarely see in any book.
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
A touching and personal story about kids following an osprey from Scotland to The Gambia and back.
nickc777's review against another edition
3.0
i thought that it was really good, a little unbelievable at times but very emotional.
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe that should really be 4 stars? Great story, more than just an animal story. Ospreys are at the heart of the story but relationships and to a lesser extent social issues feature. Features a rural Scotland setting but also Gambia. Definitely a great read for kids, particularly the 9 to 12 age group.
andeez's review
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this story, but once I did - I couldn't put it down. I adore books which motivate the reader to learn more when the story is finished. I can see kids researching ospreys, Scotland, and The Gambia as a result of this one.
The story also deals with death in an appropriate way. It was sad enough to bring a tear to my eye, but the story of life which follows is heartening. This would be an excellent read aloud in a 3rd - 5th grade classroom.
The story also deals with death in an appropriate way. It was sad enough to bring a tear to my eye, but the story of life which follows is heartening. This would be an excellent read aloud in a 3rd - 5th grade classroom.
ellalouise99's review against another edition
5.0
Sky Hawk Reading Diary
Sky Hawk is the perfect novel to read aloud to primary school children and one which could also be read by the children themselves (mainly upper KS2). The book follows a young boy, Callum as he makes friend with Iona who discloses to him that there is an osprey, a rare and endangered bird living on his farm. Throughout the book, Callum and Iona watch and protect the bird as it experiences many events such as finding a mate and getting stuck in fishing line. Callum becomes estranged from his best friends as he is too preoccupied with Iona and the osprey. The osprey migrates for the winter and Iona passes away which Callum finds difficult. Him and his friends then try to save an African girl’s life who has seen the osprey from Callum’s farm in her home town in The Gambia. The book ends happily with the osprey returning home safely for the summer.
Due to the story following a young boy, this could make it more relatable for children. Lots of the events which occur are also very relatable such as going to school, riding their bikes and having village fates to raise money for a cause. Children could, therefore, relate these events to their own lives. I also liked the fact that the story was really gripping and although there were sad aspects throughout, the ending was a happy one. The book is also a good way of showing children that animals need to be protected as Callum and Iona protect their Osprey. It also covers topics such as endangered animals and migration. There is also a strong theme of friendship throughout the book which reinforces the importance of good friends.
As with all books, the teacher must be sensitive to the individuals in the class and consider their personal experiences before reading the book. For example, if a child has experienced death recently, the book could be quite upsetting for them.
There are lots of good places to stop reading if you were to read this aloud to a class, which would cause suspense and make the children want to read on. This is a good way of making the children excited about reading as well as making it a positive experience.
This book would allow for many opportunities for transforming the classroom/reading area to engage the children with the book. For example, the reading area could be made into the tree-house that Callum’s dad made for them and the children could do their own art of an osprey to stick up in the reading area. The teacher could also leave feathers around the classroom to create suspense before reading the book. There are also lots of opportunities for cross-curricular work such as research on The Gambia or Ospreys. Children could also write to a pen friend set up by the school which would link to Callum writing to Jeneba or write diary entries in an English lesson.
Sky Hawk is the perfect novel to read aloud to primary school children and one which could also be read by the children themselves (mainly upper KS2). The book follows a young boy, Callum as he makes friend with Iona who discloses to him that there is an osprey, a rare and endangered bird living on his farm. Throughout the book, Callum and Iona watch and protect the bird as it experiences many events such as finding a mate and getting stuck in fishing line. Callum becomes estranged from his best friends as he is too preoccupied with Iona and the osprey. The osprey migrates for the winter and Iona passes away which Callum finds difficult. Him and his friends then try to save an African girl’s life who has seen the osprey from Callum’s farm in her home town in The Gambia. The book ends happily with the osprey returning home safely for the summer.
Due to the story following a young boy, this could make it more relatable for children. Lots of the events which occur are also very relatable such as going to school, riding their bikes and having village fates to raise money for a cause. Children could, therefore, relate these events to their own lives. I also liked the fact that the story was really gripping and although there were sad aspects throughout, the ending was a happy one. The book is also a good way of showing children that animals need to be protected as Callum and Iona protect their Osprey. It also covers topics such as endangered animals and migration. There is also a strong theme of friendship throughout the book which reinforces the importance of good friends.
As with all books, the teacher must be sensitive to the individuals in the class and consider their personal experiences before reading the book. For example, if a child has experienced death recently, the book could be quite upsetting for them.
There are lots of good places to stop reading if you were to read this aloud to a class, which would cause suspense and make the children want to read on. This is a good way of making the children excited about reading as well as making it a positive experience.
This book would allow for many opportunities for transforming the classroom/reading area to engage the children with the book. For example, the reading area could be made into the tree-house that Callum’s dad made for them and the children could do their own art of an osprey to stick up in the reading area. The teacher could also leave feathers around the classroom to create suspense before reading the book. There are also lots of opportunities for cross-curricular work such as research on The Gambia or Ospreys. Children could also write to a pen friend set up by the school which would link to Callum writing to Jeneba or write diary entries in an English lesson.