Rare Birds (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781454945048)

Jeff Miller's heartbreaking, coming-of-age middle-grade novel--inspired by his personal experience living through his own parent's heart transplant--invites readers into the world of a twelve-year-old birdwatcher looking for a place to call home and a way to save his mother, even if it means venturing deep into Florida swampland.

Twelve-year-old Graham Dodds is no stranger to hospital waiting rooms. Sometimes, he feels like his entire life is one big waiting room. Waiting for the next doctor to tell them what's wrong with his mom. Waiting to find out what city they're moving to next. Waiting to see if they will finally get their miracle--a heart transplant to save his mom's life.

When Graham gets stuck in Florida for the summer, he meets a girl named Lou at the hospital, and he finds a friend who needs a distraction as much as he does. She tells him about a contest to find the endangered Snail Kite, which resides in the local gator-filled swamps. Together they embark on an adventure, searching for the rare bird . . . and along the way, Graham might just find something else--himself.

Jeff Miller crafts a heartfelt story about what it means to live in this unforgettable middle-grade novel. Rare Birds is a rare find that will resonate with fans of the Carl Hiassen's Hoot and Melissa Savage's Lemon. For readers looking for novels with literary appeal and classic themes of family, friendship, and the meaning of life, Rare Birds is a perfect pick.

Hardcover with dust jacket; 288 pages; 5.5 x 8.3 in.

Author: Jeff Miller
ISBN-10: 1454945044
ISBN-13: 9781454945048
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Language: English
Published: 01/31/2023
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.01lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.60w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2022
Publishers Weekly 11/07/2022
Booklist 12/01/2022 pg. 125
Shelf Awareness 02/10/2023