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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.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
What makes a home? How do we know when we have found our place in the world? December is sure that she will grow wings and fly to her destined place, or at least that is what she tried to believe. One of the few things she has to remember her mother by is a book about birds, which she has committed to memory. With her determination to develop wings and fly away, December has alienated every foster family she has been placed with by jumping from trees, spouting bird facts nonstop, and trying to adjust her diet to seeds and other bird-approved foods.
When she is placed with Eleanor, it seems like an obvious match. Eleanor works at a wildlife center and helps to rehabilitate injured birds. Doesn't December fit into that category? But despite their common interest, theirs is not an easy relationship. December is not quick to trust Eleanor or the students at her new school, even though one of them also reaches out to her. Can a girl who is always poised to fly away finally come to roost?
This story reminds me of The Great Gilly Hopkins in the portrayal of children who are determined to control their destinies without any help from the adults who want to assist them. Extraordinary Birds also touches on bullying, friendship, and family.
Highly recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy character driven stories. Just be prepared and have a few tissues on hand. And if you know any readers of that age that love birds - they will be sure to appreciate December's vast knowledge of avian facts.
I read a review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
When she is placed with Eleanor, it seems like an obvious match. Eleanor works at a wildlife center and helps to rehabilitate injured birds. Doesn't December fit into that category? But despite their common interest, theirs is not an easy relationship. December is not quick to trust Eleanor or the students at her new school, even though one of them also reaches out to her. Can a girl who is always poised to fly away finally come to roost?
This story reminds me of The Great Gilly Hopkins in the portrayal of children who are determined to control their destinies without any help from the adults who want to assist them. Extraordinary Birds also touches on bullying, friendship, and family.
Highly recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy character driven stories. Just be prepared and have a few tissues on hand. And if you know any readers of that age that love birds - they will be sure to appreciate December's vast knowledge of avian facts.
I read a review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
picketfences's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
0livia_h's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cindyhelene's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Very moving portrayal of the life of a foster child.
cjeziorski's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book and the diversity of its characters. The main character, December, was abandoned by her mom and goes from foster home to foster home. She’s convinced she’s a bird, and that her wings will emerge from the scars on her back. She even tried flying a few times, unsuccessfully. The book focuses on her story as she learns to trust Eleanor, her new foster mom, and begins to contemplate having a home.
I enjoyed the trans character Cheryllynn. I appreciate that the author did not outfit say that she’s trans, but gave little asides that lead you to the conclusion. Cheryllynn is brave, facing bullying each day at school by a time gr leader who used to be her best friend.
Why only four stars? I felt there were holes in the narrative. Suddenly there’s be a new realization for December that I felt came out of nowhere. I wanted a bit more of her backstory as well.
I enjoyed the trans character Cheryllynn. I appreciate that the author did not outfit say that she’s trans, but gave little asides that lead you to the conclusion. Cheryllynn is brave, facing bullying each day at school by a time gr leader who used to be her best friend.
Why only four stars? I felt there were holes in the narrative. Suddenly there’s be a new realization for December that I felt came out of nowhere. I wanted a bit more of her backstory as well.
katiegrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
December is an 11 year old girl living in the foster care system, trust is not a word she believes. Her story is the only thing she believes, that one day the scar on her back will open up into the wings she knows are buried there and she can fly away, never to be left by anyone again. Until she meets Eleanor, who rehabilitates hurt wild animals. She might be able to help Eleanor find home for the first time.
bessiew193's review against another edition
4.0
A middle-grade book is not something I would ever have read, but this one had such an interesting concept. It’s a beautifully written story and surprisingly moving.
chelton's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing December trusts is her story. One day the scar on her back will open up and she’ll sprout wings. She’s a bird waiting for the moment she’ll transform, and then she’ll be able to fly into her future. But when she’s kicked out of yet another foster home and placed with Eleanor, a taxidermist and animal sanctuary volunteer, December begins to rethink everything she believes about her past and what her future could look like.
Some authors are able to tap into a voice so powerfully truthful it’s breathtaking. That’s the case with Sandy Stark-McGinnis, writing from the perspective of December. She’s a girl obviously used to taking care of herself, and she doesn’t crave contact from those outside her circle of one— others aren’t like her anyway. Stark-Mcginnis manages to weave December’s independent mindset with subtle vulnerability as she explores her new life. In every sense, she feels authentic.
Part of what makes her so believable is the grounded world she inhabits. December believes in the fantastical, but she’s surrounded by a group of people she perceives to be ordinary … or at least separate from her. But Eleanor is a calm, understanding, grounding presence who also lets December soar. And then there’s Cheryllynn, a trans girl, who unconditionally befriends December on her first day of school. Even with the difficulty of navigating a new home or dealing with the school mean girls, Stark-McGinnis provides December a comfortable nest with these two.
The text is lyrical and simple, reflecting December’s sometimes blunt or evasive style. Yet it’s also peppered with copious bird facts— after all, bird talk is where December is most comfortable. When she’s considering potoos or flamingos, she unfolds herself, opening up about one of her few known interests. It’s incredibly effective.
Complex and ultimately satisfying, Extraordinary Birds has all the makings of an instant classic.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Some authors are able to tap into a voice so powerfully truthful it’s breathtaking. That’s the case with Sandy Stark-McGinnis, writing from the perspective of December. She’s a girl obviously used to taking care of herself, and she doesn’t crave contact from those outside her circle of one— others aren’t like her anyway. Stark-Mcginnis manages to weave December’s independent mindset with subtle vulnerability as she explores her new life. In every sense, she feels authentic.
Part of what makes her so believable is the grounded world she inhabits. December believes in the fantastical, but she’s surrounded by a group of people she perceives to be ordinary … or at least separate from her. But Eleanor is a calm, understanding, grounding presence who also lets December soar. And then there’s Cheryllynn, a trans girl, who unconditionally befriends December on her first day of school. Even with the difficulty of navigating a new home or dealing with the school mean girls, Stark-McGinnis provides December a comfortable nest with these two.
The text is lyrical and simple, reflecting December’s sometimes blunt or evasive style. Yet it’s also peppered with copious bird facts— after all, bird talk is where December is most comfortable. When she’s considering potoos or flamingos, she unfolds herself, opening up about one of her few known interests. It’s incredibly effective.
Complex and ultimately satisfying, Extraordinary Birds has all the makings of an instant classic.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.