“This beautifully crafted novel sings and soars.”—Nikki Grimes, author of
Ordinary Hazards
Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather’s auto shop—but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself in this powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse.
15-year-old Dylan has always felt like an outsider in his small town. Isolated when he was younger as the result of his unpredictable, now absent mother and feeling like a disappointment to his grandfather who has stepped in to raise him, Dylan finds relief in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop. Amidst the cool quiet of the trees, Dylan thrives on bird watching and writing poetry. But one afternoon after spotting an injured hawk, Dylan finds himself pushing out of his comfort zone to track down help for the bird—and ends up rescuing a part of himself in the process.
In this luminous middle-grade novel-in-verse on navigating the lonely tumult of self-discovery amid complicated family history, Dylan relays his story with bracing emotional clarity.
Ordinary Hazards
Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather’s auto shop—but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself in this powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse.
15-year-old Dylan has always felt like an outsider in his small town. Isolated when he was younger as the result of his unpredictable, now absent mother and feeling like a disappointment to his grandfather who has stepped in to raise him, Dylan finds relief in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop. Amidst the cool quiet of the trees, Dylan thrives on bird watching and writing poetry. But one afternoon after spotting an injured hawk, Dylan finds himself pushing out of his comfort zone to track down help for the bird—and ends up rescuing a part of himself in the process.
In this luminous middle-grade novel-in-verse on navigating the lonely tumult of self-discovery amid complicated family history, Dylan relays his story with bracing emotional clarity.
Book Details
Format:
eBook
Price:
15.99 CAD / 11.99 USD
Published: 2025-04-15
ISBN: 9781662660207
Imprint:
Wordsong
Page Count: 256
Trim Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Grades:
Grades 4-7
Ages:
9-12 years
“Like most of us, the characters in this novel—whether human or avian—are broken, each in their own way. Here, you will find broken wings, broken hearts, broken spirits, and broken psyches. Yet this is not a tale of wreckage. Rather, this novel-in-verse seems a literal meditation on kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using gold resin. Stemple is the artist here, and the gold
she uses to bring these shattered pieces together are the hidden truths Dylan, our young hero, discovers along his journey. Each new truth reveals strength and beauty amidst what’s broken, including within Dylan, himself. His heart aches at the realization that not everything—or everyone—can be fixed. And yet, there’s no denying the beauty, even then. That knowledge, alone, is a balm for the soul.
This beautifully crafted novel sings, and soars. Dylan, the character Stemple has meticulously molded, is his own kind of bird. Your heart will lift as you see him learn to glide on the winds of his own story.” —Nikki Grimes, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor-winner Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir
“A compelling, fulfilling, evocative, brave, layered story for readers of all ages . . . told in verse! Hats off to Heidi Stemple!” —Lauren Wolk, author of the Newbery Honor-winner Wolf Hollow
