At it's heart, this is a book about the power of love and acceptance, wrapped up in the charming garb of magical realism.
Nashville is a bird boy who hatched from an egg, and his parents love him as their son, despite his difference. But unlike birds, he can't fly, and longs to. Ultimately, this is a story about the magic that happens when we embrace that which makes us different from everyone else. Rather than trying to fit in, as Nash has done for years, in the critical moment, when it matters most, he finally accepts and is grateful for his difference, and that gives way to his magical transformation, where he finally grows his wings. They were there all along, waiting to be grown, but it was only when he truly embraced himself that he finally blossomed. I feel like that's the overall allegorical message of this book. When we finally accept ourselves as we are and are grateful for the things that make us different, it gives us this power to just be who we are, what we are meant to be, and that's incredibly liberating.
There's also the message , with the other kids at Nashville's school, that being different is ok. In the beginning, the kids who don't know him have all kinds of questions, and even pick on him a little because they don't understand him. But as they get to know him, they learn to appreciate what and who he is, and see beyond his beak and feathers to him as a person, and that in turn, inspires them to accept their own differences and become more comfortable with themselves and the things they're insecure about.
I loved Junebug, Nash's sister from the beginning because she never saw the things that made him weird or different, she always just saw him as her brother and lovely him accordingly. Beyond that, she knew when he needed to go and fly free and "be a bird" (or whatever), to be what he was supposed to be, and did all that she could to send him off with love and to support him in becoming his true self. I feel like that's what love truly is, accepting that people you care for will grow and change in ways you can't predict or control, and that occasionally that will mean that you'll have to let them go. Junebug knows that Nash needs to go and fly, and loves him enough to help him on his way. And he doesn't forget her (the honeysuckles prove that). As a side note, I also think that she is the old widow at the very end and very beginning that says that nothing is impossible.
Nashville was darling, his parents are a delightful example of loving, caring people, and his sister is an understanding soul who was simply adorable. I even liked Finnes Fowl, who wasn't the kindest at first, but later showed growth and compassion. Overall, this is a charming little read with a lot of heart. Not to mention it's short enough to hold youngsters' attention span, and I think any middle grade aged kid could easily tackle this and enjoy it's message. After all, we all wish we could fly.
My favourite illustration (though they're all simply adorable): page 136, Nash and June sitting on a tree branch together. I also really like the cover, if for no other reason than the idea of flying birds on string (like walking a dog on a leash), like they're kites, is just too funny and cute.
You Learn Something New Every Day
on page 75, Nash talks about different words for groups of birds, a couple of which I didn't previously know:
There's flock and gaggle, but also a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, an exaltation of larks,a charm of hummingbirds, a bouquet of pheasants, and a caldron of raptors. Awesome.
Nashville is a bird boy who hatched from an egg, and his parents love him as their son, despite his difference. But unlike birds, he can't fly, and longs to. Ultimately, this is a story about the magic that happens when we embrace that which makes us different from everyone else. Rather than trying to fit in, as Nash has done for years, in the critical moment, when it matters most, he finally accepts and is grateful for his difference, and that gives way to his magical transformation, where he finally grows his wings. They were there all along, waiting to be grown, but it was only when he truly embraced himself that he finally blossomed. I feel like that's the overall allegorical message of this book. When we finally accept ourselves as we are and are grateful for the things that make us different, it gives us this power to just be who we are, what we are meant to be, and that's incredibly liberating.
There's also the message , with the other kids at Nashville's school, that being different is ok. In the beginning, the kids who don't know him have all kinds of questions, and even pick on him a little because they don't understand him. But as they get to know him, they learn to appreciate what and who he is, and see beyond his beak and feathers to him as a person, and that in turn, inspires them to accept their own differences and become more comfortable with themselves and the things they're insecure about.
I loved Junebug, Nash's sister from the beginning because she never saw the things that made him weird or different, she always just saw him as her brother and lovely him accordingly. Beyond that, she knew when he needed to go and fly free and "be a bird" (or whatever), to be what he was supposed to be, and did all that she could to send him off with love and to support him in becoming his true self. I feel like that's what love truly is, accepting that people you care for will grow and change in ways you can't predict or control, and that occasionally that will mean that you'll have to let them go. Junebug knows that Nash needs to go and fly, and loves him enough to help him on his way. And he doesn't forget her (the honeysuckles prove that). As a side note, I also think that she is the old widow at the very end and very beginning that says that nothing is impossible.
Nashville was darling, his parents are a delightful example of loving, caring people, and his sister is an understanding soul who was simply adorable. I even liked Finnes Fowl, who wasn't the kindest at first, but later showed growth and compassion. Overall, this is a charming little read with a lot of heart. Not to mention it's short enough to hold youngsters' attention span, and I think any middle grade aged kid could easily tackle this and enjoy it's message. After all, we all wish we could fly.
My favourite illustration (though they're all simply adorable): page 136, Nash and June sitting on a tree branch together. I also really like the cover, if for no other reason than the idea of flying birds on string (like walking a dog on a leash), like they're kites, is just too funny and cute.
You Learn Something New Every Day
on page 75, Nash talks about different words for groups of birds, a couple of which I didn't previously know:
There's flock and gaggle, but also a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, an exaltation of larks,a charm of hummingbirds, a bouquet of pheasants, and a caldron of raptors. Awesome.
