MIDDLE GRADE REALISTIC FICTION: Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
ABOUT THE BOOK
Eleven-year-old December knows everything about birds, and everything about getting kicked out of foster homes. All she has of her mom is the bird guide she left behind, and a message: "In flight is where you'll find me." December believes she's truly a bird, just waiting for the day she transforms. The scar on her back is where her wings will sprout; she only needs to find the right tree and practice flying.
When she's placed with foster mom Eleanor, who runs a taxidermy business and volunteers at a wildlife rescue, December begins to see what home means in a new light. But the story she’s told herself about her past is what's kept her going this long. Can she learn to let go?
REVIEW
Extraordinary Birds is a beautifully-written story about a young girl looking for a home. But after having been though numerous foster homes, she's reluctant to trust anyone. She also seems to have convinced herself that she's a bird almost ready to take flight. Thus the multiple attempts to fly by jumping out of trees. December's newest foster placement, Eleanor, seems to be a better fit than her previous placements, but December's reluctant to trust her. Despite their mutual love of birds, Eleanor's willingness to trust her, and her efforts to get December involved in releasing a formerly injured bird of prey, December thinks Eleanor might be out to get her. She's not really ready to make friends at school either, especially with the group of girls she calls the vultures hanging around ready to strike. The question is can December come to grips with her past and find a way to trust again? or is it too late?
I enjoyed the book for the most part especially December's interactions with Eleanor and Cheryllynn, a fellow student from school. I'll admit though I had a hard time with December's insistence on being a bird, and expecting wings to sprout from a nasty scar on her back. It quickly became clear that this was a coping mechanism but I still found it odd. The rest of the bird stuff was okay. December's passion for birds was quite interesting in fact. She shares a lot of interesting facts about birds with those around her. At times, heart-wrenching, but ultimately hopeful, Extraordinary Birds reminded me that all too many children are still searching for a place to call home.
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