A review by sindri_inn_arsaeli
The Class with Wings by Paul Fleischman

informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What a BEAUTIFUL book! The basic story is a teacher telling a class about the migration of vireos, tiny birds that migrate long distances between South and North America. But instead of a video, or a lecture, or reading a book about the material, the teacher has the students close their eyes and imagine themselves as the birds. The beauty of the book is in being told by the students, who can't wait for their teacher to give them wings. I absolutely love how the class tells the story collectively, as one voice. Small individual voices pop up on the pages, showing a single student relating directly to something they've learned. The cooperative storytelling allows the reader to feel included in the lesson. "I" means "we" throughout the telling, and "we" includes "you", the reader, as well. Hannah Salyer's soft, expressive illustrations perfectly portray the events unfolding in the imagination of the children. I love the little brown auras she uses to show how the children and the birds are connected, the same. And I love the modern trend of including an afterword of information for adult readers, for the parents, teachers, and caregivers, to continue the excitement of a book for kids who want to know more! My kids have used the Merlin bird app for years in our backyard, and it was really neat to see it featured here!