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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
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.
[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.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
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.
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.
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Transphobia
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.