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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
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.
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.
Mi reseña: http://www.eltemplodelasmilpuertas.com/critica/chica-pajaro/1766/
Well written and whimsical. I like that the foster narrative isn't overly sweet or closed. Yes, she does I also like that one of the characters is trans, but that isn't the primary narrative. It's just a nice humanizing touch, and though the character does get bullied, she is a full person with that only being a portion of her character. Between teh two of those, and the aspect of believable imagination, and then to top it all off there is no big huge unbelievable climax (there is a climax, it's in proportion and reasonable in context of the story), I love this book.
Spoiler
gain some sense of permanency, but she isn't adopted in some sickly sweet drama.
Una historia original sobre una niña de once años que cree que es mitad pájaro. A lo largo del libro iremos conociendo a December, su forma de pensar y porqué creé que es en parte un ave destinada a volar. También conoceremos su pasado, que ella nos narra a través de un cuento, el cuento de su vida. Nos cruzaremos con dos personas muy peculiares, una taxidermista y una niña que sufre bullying. Si bien a medida que avanza la trama se nos hace predecible algunas cosas, aún así mantiene al lector interesado. A todo esto se le suma los datos curiosos sobre distintas aves y sobre la vida de Amelia Earhart a quién December admira por obvias razones.
Sin embargo, hubo distintos sucesos se me hicieron inverosímiles, razón por la cual solo le di 3 estrellas, uno de ellos es el hecho de que una niña de 11 años viviera solo a semillas y algún helado o bocadillo ocasional. Otra cuestión fue el hecho de sus recurrentes y peligrosas caídas, creo que algo así hubiera terminado con una reclusión en un hospital psiquiátrico y no simplemente en un llamado de atención.
En definitiva, un libro entretenido y original.
Sin embargo, hubo distintos sucesos se me hicieron inverosímiles, razón por la cual solo le di 3 estrellas, uno de ellos es el hecho de que una niña de 11 años viviera solo a semillas y algún helado o bocadillo ocasional. Otra cuestión fue el hecho de sus recurrentes y peligrosas caídas, creo que algo así hubiera terminado con una reclusión en un hospital psiquiátrico y no simplemente en un llamado de atención.
En definitiva, un libro entretenido y original.
Ojalá haberme topado con esta historia cuando tenía 12 o 13 años. Habrían sido 5 estrellas seguro.
Sandy nos lleva hasta el alma de cada uno de los personajes y nos conecta a ellos de una forma muy especial. Además, trata temas muy delicados como las casas de acogida, la transexualidad o los miedos escondidos de una manera sutil pero suficiente para que llegue el mensaje en su totalidad.
En la actualidad, con 24 años, hay detalles o partes de la historia en las que me habría encantado profundizar, como el pasado de December. Aunque comprendo perfectamente que yo no soy el target de la novela y por eso es algo que no tengo demasiado en cuenta.
Ojalá se convierta en lectura para los coles, porque tenemos mucho que aprender (incluso los adultos) de la historia de December.
Nota final: 8,8
:)
Sandy nos lleva hasta el alma de cada uno de los personajes y nos conecta a ellos de una forma muy especial. Además, trata temas muy delicados como las casas de acogida, la transexualidad o los miedos escondidos de una manera sutil pero suficiente para que llegue el mensaje en su totalidad.
En la actualidad, con 24 años, hay detalles o partes de la historia en las que me habría encantado profundizar, como el pasado de December. Aunque comprendo perfectamente que yo no soy el target de la novela y por eso es algo que no tengo demasiado en cuenta.
Ojalá se convierta en lectura para los coles, porque tenemos mucho que aprender (incluso los adultos) de la historia de December.
Nota final: 8,8
:)
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.
It was a nice story but sometimes I'd have to push myself to keep reading because I'd lose interest in what was happening
"You want to read next?" Eleanor sips hot chocolate from a teacup.
--
Another ARC book courtesy of being a librarian at the Fredricksen. I initially picked up this book because of how December reminded me of myself as a kid. I would also memorize facts about animals. I too was bullied for being a weirdo and a nerd. Like December, I struggled to make friends. This book is perfect for the shy, nervous kids who visit the library. "Extraordinary Birds" gives a voice to the unusual kids, the ones who just want to be themselves.
December was a protagonist I related to easily. We both love birds, which is the reason I chose the book, and we both suffer from anxiety. Although the book mainly focuses on December's PTSD, her anxiety is ever present, especially after she gets lost in the corn maze. It was profoundly moving when [a:Sandy Stark-McGinnis|17675031|Sandy Stark-McGinnis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1550581334p2/17675031.jpg] spelled out what anxiety feels like, as well as how it affects December personally. This book is a wonderful way to teach kids about mental health.
Cheryllynn is everything that a best friend should be. I love how December and Cheryllynn end up supporting each other. It was a refreshing change to have a trans character in middle grade fiction that wasn't defined by their orientation. There is so much more to Cheryllynn than her gender. As December learns more about Cheryllynn's personality, the reader learns that Cheryllynn doesn't deserve to be judged.
Final thoughts:
- Eleanor is so perfect for December! I loved their mother-daughter dynamic.
- I kinda wished December hadn't given up her fantasy of flying.
- I wished we would of seen December's wings...
--
Another ARC book courtesy of being a librarian at the Fredricksen. I initially picked up this book because of how December reminded me of myself as a kid. I would also memorize facts about animals. I too was bullied for being a weirdo and a nerd. Like December, I struggled to make friends. This book is perfect for the shy, nervous kids who visit the library. "Extraordinary Birds" gives a voice to the unusual kids, the ones who just want to be themselves.
December was a protagonist I related to easily. We both love birds, which is the reason I chose the book, and we both suffer from anxiety. Although the book mainly focuses on December's PTSD, her anxiety is ever present, especially after she gets lost in the corn maze. It was profoundly moving when [a:Sandy Stark-McGinnis|17675031|Sandy Stark-McGinnis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1550581334p2/17675031.jpg] spelled out what anxiety feels like, as well as how it affects December personally. This book is a wonderful way to teach kids about mental health.
Cheryllynn is everything that a best friend should be. I love how December and Cheryllynn end up supporting each other. It was a refreshing change to have a trans character in middle grade fiction that wasn't defined by their orientation. There is so much more to Cheryllynn than her gender. As December learns more about Cheryllynn's personality, the reader learns that Cheryllynn doesn't deserve to be judged.
Final thoughts:
- Eleanor is so perfect for December! I loved their mother-daughter dynamic.
- I kinda wished December hadn't given up her fantasy of flying.
- I wished we would of seen December's wings...
My main literary loves are crime and horror, but I do try and read outside of those genres as often as I can. 'Extraordinary Birds' was just such a read. It's a charming, moving, coming of age tale, about a damaged young girl, December, who believes she is a bird.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I found it to be a gripping, deeply engaging read. It's a book for children, but doesn't soft-pedal or condescend and I think adults would find just as much to like in it as kids. December is a wonderful protagonist, and her avian obsessions are fascinating and really help the book come alive.
It's a tale that covers the things you'd expect it to: bullying, the difficulty of parent-child relationships, our common need for love; but it does them all well. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to and finished it with a lump in my throat.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I found it to be a gripping, deeply engaging read. It's a book for children, but doesn't soft-pedal or condescend and I think adults would find just as much to like in it as kids. December is a wonderful protagonist, and her avian obsessions are fascinating and really help the book come alive.
It's a tale that covers the things you'd expect it to: bullying, the difficulty of parent-child relationships, our common need for love; but it does them all well. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to and finished it with a lump in my throat.