Middle Grade Pick: Extraordinary Birds

Extraordinary Birds
by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Bloomsbury Children's Books
2019
214 pages
ISBN: 9781547601004

Eleven-year old December has seen her share of foster homes. They never seem to work out for her. She dreams of flying away like a bird. So much so, that she convinces herself that the scar on her back is where her wings are now forming. Once her wings are complete, she will fly away from all the human sadness.

December studies birds all the time; her constant companion and security blanket is a book her mother left behind: Complete Guide to Birds: Volume One. She knows the book by heart and if given a page number, she can tell what bird is featured on that particular page.

December knows more about birds that anything else, and when she's placed with a foster parent who rescues birds, it's a match made in heaven, but December fights it as the reader would expect. In school, December makes friends with another bullied student, Cheryllynne who adds to the story in all the right ways.

December knows that most bullies don't want to be mean; they do it because they've been hurt--which is a very mature thought for an eleven-year old to have. She is wise beyond her years, and young readers will have such empathy for her. They will root for December to find her place on the ground with foster mom Eleanor.

With her friendship growing between Cheryllynne and her heart open for family and a home, December is finally able to face her past abandonment. She helps a Henrietta the hawk rehabilitate and learn to fly again, and when she soars skyward, December knows everything will finally be alright. All animals need a home and maybe, just maybe, she's found hers.

What an extraordinary book! The is the gem of 2019 and a MUST READ which is likely to become One Book for many schools and will win many awards this season. Did someone say Texas Bluebonnets? This someone just did! And I'm always right about award books!

Highly, highly recommended and FIVE STARS! BOOK OF THE YEAR, in my opinion.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Guest Review: High School Pick: Forbidden

Forbidden
By Tabitha Suzuma
Simon & Schuster
2011
464 pages

Blogger's note: Guest reviewer career educator Leslie Rush submitted this review to the blog. Leslie is a bff and avid ya reader and reviewer. This is her fourth guest review on this blog. Here is her review of this compelling and dangerous read:

The truth of this book is in the opening quote: “You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.”

There’s plenty in Lochan and Maya’s lives that no one wants to see. They, along with younger siblings, have been abandoned by their father and are virtually abandoned by their Mum—an alcoholic who never wanted kids to begin with, who has set her sights on a new boyfriend, and comes home drunk (when she comes home at all) to throw up, sleep it off, and change into another sleazy outfit.

Maya and Lochan serve as parents to the three younger sibs—the dreamy, sweet Willa, the goofy Tiffen, and the rebellious Kit. They handle dinner, homework, groceries, discipline, and drag money out of their Mum to pay the bills. They have learned to cope like any two "normal" parents who work all day and come home to kids and chaos.

Above all, it is imperative that no one ever know about their situation. All of the children dread being noticed by Social Services, but Lochan feels it the deepest. He is practically mute outside the family home, having acute anxiety attacks when called upon in school. The kids have zero outside support. When one of Lochan’s teachers attempts to probe a little deeper, she is rebuffed by the terrified Lochan.

The love Maya and Lochan feel for each other takes a twisted turn as they each are pursued by others. Maya’s friends all have a crush on her brother, and there’s a dreamy prospect asking Maya out, as well. Faced with Kit’s growing rebelliousness and the growing needs of the younger ones, Maya and Lochan find their only stress relief with each other.

Accidental contact leads to revulsion, battling with the desperate need to be loved. Each step into their descent is more torturous, as they fight until they are overwhelmed, defeated by their own love. It ends in sorrow, as Lochan does the only thing that can save their family.


I did not want to read this book. But I’m really glad I did. Suzuma has painted a picture that is compelling, horrifying and compassionate. Lochan is a character readers will never forget.

Recommended for very mature readers, 16 and up. Strong sexual content, mature themes.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this novel from the publisher. I/we did not receive monetary compensation for this review. Leslie Rush is a bff and ya reviewer. Her reviews can be found at A Book and a Hug.