Feathered

Deborah Kerbel

CELA Library

Type:

Fiction

Categories:

Social Issues | Social Themes

Themes:

Death & Dying, Friendship, Bullying

Language:

English

Publisher:

Kids Can Press

Grade Level:

4-8

Age Range:

9-13

Accessible Format Availability:

CELA Library

Where to buy it

Amazon

Indigo

Description

Since her father's death, Finch's life has fallen apart. Her mother just sits and stares. Her brother hangs out with awful Matt, a bully who picks on her. And Finch has the meanest teacher in the school. But most of all, she's lonely. A graffiti message in a bathroom stall leads to a surprising friendship, and things start to look up. But her friend's family is different and secretive in ways Finch cannot quite understand. When cultural differences cause trouble at school and her friend disappears, Finch knows that flying away is not an option. She's the only one who may have a clue to the disappearance, and she needs to say something, now.

“When I was three years old, Mom plucked a curly white feather out of my neck. If I get scared or the loneliness comes over me, I run my fingertip over the tiny scar and dream about the day the rest of my feathers will grow in. That's the day I'll fly away from here.” For eleven-year-old Finch, there couldn't be a better time to fly away from her life. Her dad died last year and her mom hasn't been the same since, her best friend dropped her, and her brother's awful classmate is too mean for words. But when a girl named Pinky moves in next door, a girl from India who also doesn't seem to fit in, Finch feels a flicker of hope that her life might just be turning around. And when something terrible happens and it seems Finch may be the only one who can help her new friend, she comes to understand that flying is not the answer --- sometimes right where you are is the best place to be. Author Deborah Kerbel has created a central character readers will connect with immediately in this captivating middle-grade novel. With a keen understanding of the particular difficulties facing girls as they enter adolescence, this powerfully written book is about learning to believe in yourself, finding the courage to do what you think is right and recognizing the difference you can make in the lives of others. It is both a compelling page-turner and an excellent reference for classroom discussions on loss, bullying, racism, learning difficulties and mental health.

Contributors

Formats

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