Bird by Crystal Chan - ESSENTIAL

Chan, Crystal Bird, 295 pgs. Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2014, $16.99

Content: G

Twelve-year old Jewel was born the day her brother, Bird, died. She lives with so much sadness and hurt and believes that her family does not love her. Her mom and dad wishes for Bird and does not seem to notice her. Her grandfather lives with them and he stopped speaking the day Bird died. Jewel’s grandfather is from Jamaica and believes in duppies (evil, malevolent spirits) and he attends to all kinds of rituals to ward off duppies. A new boy comes to stay in her small Iowa town, and Jewel makes a new friend. Can her new friend help her find answers to all her questions and wonderings about her brother, her parents and her grandfather?

This is good book about emotions, the human condition and all the hurt we all carry around sometimes. The book examines grief, superstition and faith through the eyes of Jewel, her family and her new friend, John. I was feeling for and with Jewel all through the story and this is a book I will definitely keep in my library and recommend to my students. Even though this is a book for middle school students, it is a worthwhile read for anyone, any age. It is moving and touching. Jewel will carve herself a special place in your heart. This book is full of emotions and feelings, so well described and expressed by Crystal Chan.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  Reviewer Ellen-Anita, Teacher Librarian