Of a Feather by Dayna Lorentz
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0358283531
Pages: 336
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Reenie’s mother struggles with addiction and mental illness and is in and out of treatment facilities, and when Reenie is sent to live with an aunt she’s never met, she’s less than enthused about the ordeal. Reenie’s Aunt Bea mentions that she “keeps birds” in her dining room, but what she doesn’t mention is that the birds she keeps are falcons. Aunt Bea is both a wildlife rehabilitator and a falconer. When Reenie shows interest in the sport of falconry, Bea agrees to teach her, and they set a trap to catch a migrating hawk. When they catch an injured and starving Great Horned Owl instead, things change drastically. Reenie and the owl form an instant connection, and they simultaneously teach and learn from each other—about courage, life, trust, and more.

This book is told from alternating perspectives—that of Reenie and that of Rufus, the Great Horned Owl. This is a wonderful young middle grade book with lots of adventure, science, and nature thrown into a coming of age story. It seamlessly touches on parents struggling with mental health issues and addiction and how that complicates things for the children caught in the fray. Well written and paced, this book will delight fans of realistic fiction and animal-led fiction. Hand this book to nature and wildlife fans. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME