I recently read two middle grade novels that have bird watching at their core. The Secret Language of Birds, by Lynne Kelly is about a girl who discovers a pair of endangered birds nesting in an unusual place. And Bird Nerd, by Jennifer Ann Richter features a birding tournament between two schools that gets a bit more competitive than expected.
While both books feature our feathery friends, they are also about and finding your own flock. So let’s crack open their covers and see what they’re about.
Bird Nerd
by Jennifer Ann Richter
240 pages; ages 8-12
Holiday House, 2024
What happens when your fifth-grade teacher decides to enter your class in a birding competition – and the only other team is from a wealthier suburban school? Nyla Braun, a bird nerd, has high hopes of leading her City Birders to victory. All she needs is a place with trees where birds hang out, and to find a way to motivate her class.
While birdwatching draws her closer to her grandfather, her desire to win conflicts with a long-standing friendship. And her high expectations lead to disappointments along the way. Not only does her feeder design fail to win a prize, but squirrels invade!
One of the things I liked about this book was the way the author, Jennifer sprinkled bird words throughout the book. The teacher perches on the edge of her desk. There’s a skirt that’s “goldfinch yellow.” But what I particularly love is that Jennifer included an author’s note at the back – YAY for back matter in fiction – where she lists resources for bird nerds (or the merely bird-curious) who live in cities or suburbs or anywhere, really.
Review copy provided by the publisher
The Secret Language of Birds
by Lynne Kelly
240 pages; ages 8-12
Delacorte Press, 2024
Nina has always felt like an odd duck, but she is determined to fit in at summer camp. Where she discovers a rare bird – a bird that hasn’t nested in Texas for over a hundred years. The problem… when she discovered this bird, she was in a place she was Not Supposed To Be. An old cabin that is off limits to the campers. So when Nina finally decides to report this bird to the wildlife folks, she has to reveal where she saw it.
The cool stuff: there is a mate. Where did he come from? There is a nest, and an egg. Nina definitely wants to watch developments, and figures out how she and her cabin-mates can keep an eye on the birds. There is, of course, trouble. And Nina does find her flock.
One of the things I like about this book is the authentic birding stuff. Nina uses a bird app (if you’re looking for one, Merlin is great) and squirrels and raccoons raid her feeder just like they do in real life. There’s also cool bird facts, like how jays and crows are related and how birds can recognize faces. And then there’s this quote that I want to hang over my desk: “…a
This book is from my personal library
The seasons are changing. I see more birds at the feeder every day. So this might be the perfect time to put a birdy-novel in the hands of a middle-grader. If you’re looking for bird books for the littles, check out my post over at the GROG a couple weeks ago.
Thanks for dropping by today. On Monday we'll be hanging out at Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with other bloggers. It's over at Greg Pattridge's blog, Always in the Middle, so hop over to see what other people are reading.
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