Bird Boy
by Catherine Bruton
Interest age: 9 to 12
Reading age: 10+
Published by Nosy Crow, 2024
About this book
Will doesn’t want to stay with his uncle Ian. He doesn’t want to live in the middle of nowhere. He doesn’t want to leave his mum’s flat or the city he grew up in and he definitely doesn’t want to learn how to trust a new adult.
Unfortunately for Will, he doesn’t have a choice. When he loses his mother in a car accident, he is forced to accept these alien circumstances while battling a private grief that threatens to overwhelm him.
It is only when Will rescues an injured osprey chick that his life begins to change. He devotes himself to nurturing and caring for the bird with his new friend Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan who is recovering from his own traumatic experiences. As the bird slowly heals, Will realises that he is healing too. He slowly learns to love his gruff uncle and begins to find joy and solace in his new life in the wilderness.
Following the acclaim of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, author Catherine Bruton delivers another hard-hitting yet therapeutic masterpiece with Bird Boy.
This beautifully written and intensely emotive story explores challenging themes including mental illness, depression, bereavement and displacement – but does so with a reassuring and ultimately optimistic sensitivity.
More books like this
-
No Ballet Shoes in Syria
by Catherine Bruton
9 to 12 years
-
Goodnight Mister Tom
by Michelle Magorian
9 to 12+ years
-
Following Frankenstein
by Catherine Bruton
9 to 12+ years
-
Wildlands
by Brogen Murphy
9 to 12 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books with family and friends looking after children
It's important that books reflect contemporary society, and that children see a variety of family situations in the stories they read. Some families don't have a mum or dad in the carer or parental role. Sometimes grandparents or uncles or aunts are looking after the children. This can be called 'kinship care' or 'family and friends care'. This selection of fantastic books show children living with family members who aren't their parents, although that is usually only the background setting, not the plot.
-
Books which celebrate male friendship
This booklist features stories that highlight and celebrate the power of male friendship for children of key stage 2 age and above. Through a mix of adventure, humour, empathy, and everyday experiences, these books show boys forming meaningful connections, supporting one another, and learning how to navigate challenges together.
-
Great Books Guide Cymru 2024-25: For 10 to 11 year olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 10 to 11 will love.
-
Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 10 to 11-year-olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 10 to 11 will love.