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A review by monetp
Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
4.0
"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...