Extraordinary Birds

Extraordinary Birds
Written by Sandy Stark McGinnis
Middle Grade, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Published June 3rd 2019
224 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
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★★★★★
Eleven year old December knows everything about birds and everything about getting kicked out of foster homes. All she has of her biological mum is the book she left behind, The Complete Guide to Birds, Volume One and a photo with a message, in flight is where you'll find me. December knows she's truly a bird, just waiting for the day she transforms and flies away to reunite with her mum. The scar on her back must be where her wings have started to blossom, she just needs to practise and to find the right tree. She has no choice, it's the only story that makes sense.

When she's placed with Eleanor, a new foster mum who runs a taxidermy business and volunteers at a wildlife rescue, December begins to see herself and what home means in a new light. But the story she tells herself about her past is what's kept December going this long, and she doesn't know if she can let go of it. Even if changing her story might mean that she can finally find a place where she belongs.
Someday December will spread her wings and take flight, feeling the aching scar between her shoulder blades where her wings will bloom as she escapes her human life. Vaguely remembering her biological mother, December is reminded of  her abandonment by a kindergarten photograph of her mother inscribed with in flight is where you'll find me and a reference guide to birds. December endures the ache of being displaced within the foster system until she can learn to fly, searching on her journey to find an old and gnarled tree where she will launch her maiden flight.

My heart ached for young December. Abandoned by her biological mother with a photograph and reference guide, December finds solace in her feathered friends, believing one day she will transform into a bird. Placed in a foster home with Eleanor Thomas, she's just biding her time until she transforms. Eleanor is a wildlife rescuer, taxidermist and shares December's love of birds and although finding common ground, December knows the only person she can rely upon is herself.

On her journey, December has never experienced a sense of belonging, manifesting as a compulsion that she will transform and escape. December is a gentle young lady, compassionate and emphatic especially towards her feathered friends. She's intelligent and wonderfully knowledgeable about birds. December is representative of children displaced by the loss of a parent and placed within the system, weary and detached. Eleanor patiently allows December to interact with her environment, introducing her to responsibility by caring for an injured Red Tailed Hawk as December coerces Henrietta to rehabilitate and take to the skies once more.

Cheryllynn is a wonderful inclusion, charismatic and inclusive as she befriends December. As a young transgirl, Cheryllynn endures abusive behaviour which may distress readers. Her resilience and confidence is inspirational, I'm exactly who I'm supposed to be. She is instrumental in anchoring December as their tentative friendship blossomed.

Extraordinary Birds is achingly beautiful, wonderfully diverse and a remarkable debut novel.

14 comments

  1. Oh this is the one you were telling Chiara and I about <3 <3 It's added to my TBR <3

    Fantastic review Kelly. Really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this one <3 :-)

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    1. It was! You need this book in your life Sarah, it's so lyrically beautiful. Such a remarkable debut!

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  2. My heart was breaking for December after reading the synopsis, though it sounds like the author landed her in a place, where she was able to establish some real connections. Sounds like a heartwarming story to me.

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    1. It was, so beautiful and December's journey was so wonderfully written. I can't praise this highly enough and thrilled to see a young transgirl befriending December. Their friendship was absolutely lovely.

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  3. Gorgeous review, Kelly!
    I have added this to my TBR!
    💜 Star

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  4. Wow, this sounds like such an impressive book, especially for a debut. I will definitely have to check out this one. Wonderful review!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne and it truly was. Such a beautiful middle grade novel with so much heart.

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  5. Oh my, this sounds wonderful -- and a lot packed in for a debut. It's brilliant that the author has carried this off so well!

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    1. It's absolutely wonderful Verushka, such a beautiful read.

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  6. This sounds like a really well-done, but heartbreaking read. I love that December is finally placed in a foster home with someone who shares her interests, but I'm sure it's tough for her to let her guard down.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It's beautiful Lauren, I think you'll really enjoy this one.

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  7. This sounds so beautiful. I just checked and my library has it.


    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I'd love to see what you think of it Karen, it's a quick read but oh so lovely.

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